A cool breeze cut across the infields at the Clem Kelley Softball Complex as weekend leagues packed up their gear—grateful, at least for now, that the diamonds many teams consider a second home won’t be dug up for flood works. Rising construction costs and shifting timelines have pushed Bismarck to rethink parts of a Missouri River flood-control concept, sparing the popular complex while the city recalibrates.

City officials say the move reflects a broader budgeting puzzle: how to protect neighborhoods and utilities from high-water events without overrunning a capital plan already stretched by inflation and competing needs. The city has been exploring a combination of levee improvements, stormwater storage, and pump upgrades along the river corridor—projects complicated by permitting, land acquisition, and the price of materials. Those pressures are now reshaping the sequence and scope of what gets built first, and where.

A Budget Balancing Act at City Hall

Flood mitigation here is not optional—residents remember the strain of the 2011 Missouri River flood and the years of cleanup that followed, as documented by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. But the price of protection is climbing, and it’s reshaping the city’s near-term playbook. Agenda materials posted in the City of Bismarck’s Agenda Center show staff recommended reevaluating elements of the riverfront plan after recent cost and schedule reviews.

That reconsideration gave the Clem Kelley Softball Complex a reprieve. Early concepts had looked at flood storage and tie-back options in the area, but staff are now steering toward alternatives that avoid disrupting heavily used parkland while keeping core protections on track, according to summaries presented to commissioners. The pivot underscores a larger reality: every new dollar dedicated to river works is a dollar not available for streets, utility replacements, or police and fire capital needs in a given year.

In other words, this isn’t just about one complex. It’s about how Bismarck balances a slate of big-ticket projects without overcommitting taxpayers or losing time on high-priority risk reductions.

What’s Driving the Flood Control Price Tag

City staff point to familiar culprits: higher bids for earthwork and concrete, steel and pump equipment that remain well above pre-2020 levels, and tight contractor labor across the Upper Midwest. National indicators back the trend—construction input costs are still elevated compared with 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price data—compounding risk in multi-phase public works.

Beyond materials, required utility relocations and federal and state permitting add complexity and contingency. Those factors can push a project’s upfront estimate higher and stretch timelines, particularly when projects abut the Missouri River, where coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is standard practice. City briefings note that sequencing work to match available grants and cost-share windows is now as important as the engineering itself.

Clem Kelley entered the conversation because flood storage near the river corridor can reduce peak flows and pump loads during high water. Retaining the complex matters because it’s a hub for youth leagues, regional tournaments, and family recreation overseen by the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District. Preserving it while advancing river protections is the needle city planners are trying to thread.

Neighbors, Players, and Officials Weigh In

At recent commission meetings and public comment periods, residents urged the city to protect both neighborhoods and the parks that knit them together—recurring themes in letters and testimony logged through the city’s Agenda Center. Parents and players emphasized the complex’s role in youth sports and weekend tourism, while nearby homeowners pressed for steady progress on flood defenses.

City officials have framed the shift as a matter of fiscal responsibility and sequencing—directing staff to refine alternatives that keep protection goals intact while limiting disruption to community assets. Parks and Recreation staff, for their part, indicated league schedules continue as planned while the city retools flood designs, and encouraged teams to watch for updates as planning advances.

The broader community conversation is about tradeoffs: where new berms, valves, or storage cells make the most sense; how to phase construction around tournament calendars and river levels; and how to capture state and federal dollars without overextending local funds. Residents can track agendas, submit comments, and sign up for meeting notifications via the city’s website.

How the Plan Is Being Reworked

With Clem Kelley off the table for near-term changes, staff are modeling alternatives that emphasize upgrades within existing public rights-of-way, targeted pump-station improvements, and green-infrastructure strategies that store stormwater without displacing recreation. Engineering updates shared with commissioners indicate the city will return with refined alignments, cost ranges, and grant-fit options before any new construction bid is authorized.

Expect a heavier focus on options that can be built in phases—small projects that add up—so Bismarck can move forward as funding cycles open. That includes coordinating with the North Dakota Department of Water Resources for cost-share opportunities and evaluating eligibility under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs. Residents along the river corridor should see clearer maps and timelines as designs advance from concept to preliminary engineering.

In the interim, the city is prioritizing maintenance of existing flood infrastructure and spot improvements that reduce nuisance flooding during spring melt and summer storms. Staff have encouraged residents to review floodplain information and preparedness tips posted by the city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as seasonal conditions change.

What This Means for Future Budgets

The Clem Kelley decision signals a pragmatic approach likely to shape next year’s capital plan: safeguard critical assets, lean into projects with ready cost share, and protect high-use public spaces where feasible. Budget writers will be weighing debt capacity, cash-on-hand, and the timing of grants as they set the pace for river work alongside street reconstruction and public safety needs.

Urban planners note that inflation and supply volatility may persist, making contingency and risk management central to project selection. For Bismarck, that could mean more emphasis on modular designs that can expand over time, and on partnerships—with the state, the Corps, and local districts—that stretch each local dollar further.

For residents, the takeaway is straightforward: protections are still coming, but in a form and sequence that aims to keep parks open and construction manageable. The city’s willingness to adjust course now may preserve both fiscal room and public trust later.

How to Stay Involved

• Follow meeting agendas, packets, and minutes in the City of Bismarck’s Agenda Center.

• Visit the City Engineering page for project contacts and floodplain resources: Engineering Department.

• Keep up with league updates at the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District.

What to Watch

Staff are expected to bring refined flood-control alternatives and updated cost ranges to upcoming City Commission work sessions; watch the Agenda Center for dates. Grant deadlines and state cost-share decisions over the winter and spring will influence which pieces move first. If funding aligns, preliminary design work could begin ahead of the 2026 construction season.