Fargo-Moorhead developments information - Page 105

Doc · #**2081** Posted **Aug 31, 2008, 2:32 PM**

I'm not slagging on just WalMart, but all horrible big box retail design.

Walkability isn't just slapping sidewalks at the edge of streets. It's WAY more complicated. I'll put some links on city plans that talk about these things in detail. There is a reason that zero traditional malls were built in 2008. People want walkability. And, yes, government has a hand in this, no matter what kind of zoning happens. It's not about free markets vs. socialism. This is about what kind of limits we want to place on slapdash construction--not whether there are any limits.

Pappy2000 · #**2082** Posted **Sep 2, 2008, 4:12 AM**

I have been away for a while, changed jobs and just finally getting things slowed down. I have been keeping up with this forum, but I missed out why did the 11 story Cityscape building get voted down, or better yet, who voted it down? And is it true that there is a law prohibiting any building to be taller than the state capital?

That would be a shame, because it is time for Fargo to build up, It's a beautiful city, but it is in desperate need of a skyline to break up this flatness we're stuck with here in the valley.

F-Misthebest · #**2083** Posted **Sep 2, 2008, 5:08 AM**

Well it was voted down by the city of Fargo in 2005 I think. It would've taken up that whole block and all the other buildings on that block would've been destroyed. There was a hockey arena in the building called the Renaissance Center. When a poll came out, a majority of Fargoan's wanted a performing arts venue. It was voted down by a landslide. Oh well.

NanoBison · #**2084** Posted **Sep 2, 2008, 6:12 PM**

and to add to that, there is no law that states no building can be taller than the Capital Building in Bismarck. However, there is current legislation that allows the FAA to determine and enforce maximum height that a structure can be if it in the approach path of an airport. Many of the buildings downtown are located directly in the path of the cross sectional strip (at the southern end of the main runway) that are used by tiny planes to land and take off.

I believe the Radisson and Laskowitz (spelling?) High Rise represent the maximum ceiling for that part of town. Now if they demolished the NW-SE runway and actually installed a N-S secondary runway as is shown in the airport master plan, perhaps the ceiling might rise slightly for the downtown area. Or, if they could instead switch to a NE-SW configuration. It's pretty inconvenient what airport can do to limiting airspace in major metropolitan areas. San Jose is one prime example. They are limited since their airport is basically right next to downtown on the approach.

FrickinDutch · #**2085** Posted **Sep 3, 2008, 2:08 PM**

Just an update on the Klai Architecture building. They were hoping to have it ready for us to be in by the start of the school year, obviously that didn't happen. They had planned to have, I believe, most, if not all, of the Landscape Architecture students there and also the 2nd and 5th year Architecture students. Because the project was not completed in time they have stuffed us all in different spots.

All the Landscape Architecture students are currently on the main campus with the 2nd year Architecture students. I haven't seen how cramped it is there, but I imagine it is pretty uncomfortable. They have now put all the 3rd and 5th years on one floor in the downtown building (where I am at). It is pretty cramped and somewhat uncomfortable. There are also not enough storage units for everyone. Frankly this is a little disappointing, I know many of us feel we are getting a little jipped with the fees and tuition we pay. Architecture students pay an extra ~$900 a semester just in fees for studio, not to mention the supplies we have to purchase for our projects, it really adds up. Luckily I have rented an apartment downtown and will be able to work from there, as I really have no interest in being in such a cramped spot.

It may be Spring Semester before Klai Hall is actually ready to be moved into.

F-Misthebest · #**2086** Posted **Sep 5, 2008, 9:54 PM**

Proposed gated housing project near Horace features artificial lakes, club boathouse
Craig McEwen, The Forum
Published Friday, September 05, 2008

A Glenwood, Minn., developer plans to build a 288-acre housing development with two man-made recreational lakes near Horace, N.D.

Developer Grant Hustad said he has acquired land for Trophy Lake Estates V, a gated residential community for homes ranging from $200,000 to $750,000.

The project’s first phase, expected to begin next summer, will contain 46 homes on 145 acres.

The one-acre lots range in price from $75,000 for off-water lots to $125,000 for non-boating lake lots and $175,000 for powerboat lots offering about 180 feet of lakeshore, said spokesperson Hannah Shirkey.

Lakes will be stocked for fishing with walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and sunfish, Shirkey said.

Hustad has several hurdles he must cross in order to win city officials’ approval for the subdivision.

The area planned for the subdivision is in Horace’s extraterritorial area, meaning city leaders will have the final say on its plans, said Cass County Planner Tim Solberg. “We told them we’re there to help,” he said of offering county planning assistance.

“It’s definitely an interesting concept,” said Dwight Carpenter, Harwood zoning administrator. “It’s totally a different concept for flat land,” he said, adding the subdivision plans are similar to those seen in Minnesota lakes country.

Carpenter said he’s seen sketches of the development’s plans, but Hustad will need to submit more plans so the land can be platted to see how it would fit. Hustad also needs to consider annexing the development land into the city so its sewer system can be added to the city’s, Carpenter said.

Hustad’s plans, including land annexation, face three public hearings before the City Council will decide on the subdivision, Carpenter said.

The development will provide several common areas to be shared by development residents. Other amenities include a club boathouse, wakeboarding, water-skiing, tubing, a separate swimming lake, walk paths, a variety of courts for tennis, sand volleyball and basketball, and lighted pond hockey during the winter.

The development will have an entrance gate activated by property owners’ garage door openers, Shirkey said.

Hustad said he has commitments on 12 of the 30 power-boating lots and expects to have the project sold out by fall 2009.

A second project phase, consisting of a third lake and 15 power-boating lots, is planned for construction when the first phase is completed, Shirkey said.

The proposed Horace development will be the fifth of its type launched by Trophy Lake Estates, which has similar projects in Glenwood, Pine Island, Center City and New Germany, all in Minnesota.

Another has been launched in Sioux Falls, S.D., and property is being sought near Sioux City, Iowa, for another development, Shirkey said.

Hustad launched his first project in Glenwood in 2000. It contained a lake and 16 lots, Shirkey said.

“That’s completely sold out,” she said.

The Pine Island project, launched four years ago, is up and running and its lakes produce 22-inch walleye, Shirkey said.

Forum reporter Benny Polacca contributed to this report

Readers can reach Forum Business Editor Craig McEwen at (701) 241-5502

F-Misthebest · #**2087** Posted **Sep 7, 2008, 6:15 AM**

The windows have started being put in on the main level of the 300 Broadway building. Just some news

F-Misthebest · #**2088** Posted **Sep 8, 2008, 3:29 AM**

I went to the Parade of Homes on Saturday and went down to 52nd Avenue and was extremely impressed by all the road construction. It's four lanes from University to 45th Street with a median with planned future landscaping on the west side of the interstate. It looks like a different city down there. Next year 45th Street from 32nd Avenue to 52nd Avenue will get four lanes. I moved from Horace at just the right time.

And if Fargo Roads can think into the future at all (which would be a first) they would annex and widen 45th past 52nd Avenue. AT LEAST pave the road. It's not even a gravel road, it's dirt.

NysOne · #**2089** Posted **Sep 8, 2008, 9:02 PM**

Does anyone know anything about the SBC Lunch Box restaurant that they are putting in at 122 23rd Street S, Fargo?

F-Misthebest · #**2090** Posted **Sep 8, 2008, 11:23 PM**

yeah i saw that too and i thought it was an odd location. Have no idea what it is.

ww6789 · #**2091** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 5:21 AM**

Any opinions on Three Lyons? I haven't been but they seem to be busy when I drive by. Sounds like a locally owned place with possibly good food.

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/ind...ction=business

NysOne · #**2092** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 1:23 PM**

They are putting "Norman's Steak House" in the closed Bennigan's location on 45th Street South.

HarleyGal · #**2093** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 4:34 PM**

Is the Norman's Steakhouse a chain from the Minneapolis area? And do we really need another steak place in Fargo?

NanoBison · #**2094** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 4:38 PM**

I have no problem with adding another Steakhouse. Considering we've lost Outback Steakhouse, and this is also replacing the old Bennigans. Sure there's Texas Roadhouse to get a decent steak, but that place gets on my nerves when it's super busy. I also can't stand the damn birthday announcements. YeeHaw! I just want a place where I can sit comfortably and enjoy a nice steak without the hillbilly crowd.

Other great news today is that they've approved the new 5 story building downtown for retail and student housing.

Also Allegiant Air is now offering flights to Orlando directly from Fargo.

(I told you it would happen eventually)...

Update*: Actually according to Allegiant's website, we also have Daytona area service....

Now it would be cool to see if we can lure Dallas service like Sioux Falls is attempting right now... ( I don't believe we have anything on the table at the moment )

ww6789 · #**2095** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 6:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyGal

Is the Norman's Steakhouse a chain from the Minneapolis area? And do we really need another steak place in Fargo?

Fargo definitely needs more quality dining choices. Fargo/Moorhead has very poor food quality for a metro area its size (i.e. not even good Mexican or Chinese food.)

If it's this place http://www.rnormans.com/, the menu looks really pricey. Fargo needs much more good cheap food. Looks like Normans may be to expensive to enjoy on a regular basis.

ww6789 · #**2096** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 7:02 PM**

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=214196

F-Misthebest · #**2097** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 9:11 PM**

Nano, here's the article to go along with the info you gave.

Fargo City Commission backs plan to build five-story retail and housing complex downtown
Helmut Schmidt, The Forum
Published Tuesday, September 09, 2008

A Fargo developer got the City Commission’s blessing Monday to build a five-story retail and housing complex downtown with about 212 apartments for North Dakota State University students on the site of the old Lark Theater and Cinema Grill.

NDSU also received a needed nod to sell naming rights for a proposed Fargodome arena addition to help raise its half of the $30 million needed to pay for the project.

The commission voted 5-0 to endorse Cityscapes Development’s plan to build an $18 million to $20 million complex at 630 1st Ave. N., and on the parking lot to the east.

Mike Bullinger, president of Cityscapes, said he needed assurances the commission would approve renaissance zone and PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) tax breaks before he started the project. He said he needed the backing now so he could start construction to have the building ready by August 2009.

Bullinger wants a five-year renaissance zone property tax exemption for the completed building, and 10 years of PILOT tax exemptions, five in which no extra property tax would be paid and five in which just 25 percent of taxes would be paid.

The value of those requests is about $1.4 million, City Administrator Pat Zavoral said. The tax exemption requests still need to have public hearings with the appropriate city committees.

Bullinger said two problems have cropped up to increase project costs. He must excavate the site to about 14 feet to remove rubble, and he must use caissons – large columns of concrete, often including rebar or steel – to support the load of the five-story building.

In a letter, Bullinger said the first floor will have 40,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. He said he’s trying “to attract a nice, big retail company” for part of that space. Plans originally called for at least 75 underground parking spots, but Bullinger said the need for caissons will reduce the space available for parking.

With NDSU’s School of Business opening downtown next fall, “I think the project is greatly needed,” Commissioner Brad Wimmer said.

The commission also voted 4-1 to give NDSU the go-ahead to continue its search for a sponsor for naming rights for a proposed $30 million, 6,000-seat arena addition for the Fargodome.

NDSU and Fargo Dome Authority officials said the commission’s OK to release the naming rights was key to helping NDSU find a sponsor and come up with its $15 million share of the cost.

Commissioner Mike Williams voted against the move, saying that if the project goes ahead and the city takes its $15 million share of the costs from the dome’s escrow fund, future needed work at the dome could be put in jeopardy.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583

F-Misthebest · #**2098** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 9:15 PM**

About the airport and flights, that's so awesome! August statistics at Hector rose 16.8% over last year, and with the added flights it's only going to keep rising.

Pappy2000 · #**2099** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 4:41 AM**

Odd that it shows Daytona on Allegiants web site, however when you look at the location of Orlando/Sanford airport you discover it is in Sanford and lies roughly the same distance between Orlando and Daytona. I did try out the site and selecting Daytona actually goes to the Orlando/Sanford airport.

As far as another Steakhouse, well I'm all for it. Perhaps the prices may reflect a more Fargo friendly budget.

Shame about the highrise, but I believe I will see a skyline here in my lifetime, we just need to be sure we elect forward progressive thinking people for our city.

matt35503 · #**2100** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 6:48 AM**

I don't know about that Norman's Steakhouse place. I somehow doubt it is the same one that is in Minneapolis. The one in Minneapolis isn't a chain, its one of a kind and as much as I love Fargo I doubt we would be the next blip on their expansion radar.

About the new building downtown. I guess I am disappointed its not going to be taller but I am really glad that they are finally tearing down that ugly Cinema Grill building. Also I guess it will bring more people downtown so that is good too.