NoiseInsideMyHead

There is a little bit of NIMBY going on here, though. Some of the bigger places are imposing if not cookie-cutter eyesores. Also, the concentration of most of these high-density complexes on the south side is only going to put more pressure on the N-S arterials sooner than single-family development, and neither Columbia nor Washington is going to be widened any time soon. In fact, I don't think they will have the short strip of Columbia by Altru done for a couple more years. Growth is usually good; smart growth is always better.

I don't question the development or even the need, generally, but it is the massive scale that really gets your attention. The Grove, the large complex which borders the Canad Inn along 42nd near DeMers, is entirely marketed toward students. Walking distance to campus so a no-brainer; an obvious target demographic. Here is a selection of the rest that have recently opened and/or are underway: - Several large new buildings south of Ray Richards - again, close to campus so not a huge stretch. (Just need to keep them from trespassing on the golf course in the dead of winter.) - New complex at DeMers & Columbia, will tie into overpass for easy pedestrian access to UND - again, students are obvious target. - Couple of large buildings on Ruemmele Road south of Target. - Several (and I mean several) large buildings along 36th Ave S east of Columbia, on both sides of 20th St. - At least one large building on the north side of 36th Ave S (behind SuperOne), just west of Columbia. - A monsterplex at 47th Ave S, west of 20th (near South Middle School)(this is the one OP saw). - Large (horseshoe-shaped?) complex at 38th Ave S, just west of S Washington. - Several (?) large buildings just north of Aurora Medical Complex. This is a lot of high-density residential development that will likely outpace the roads/infrastructure in certain areas, at least in the short term. Several hundred units, all of which appear to be in the luxury segment. If you don't live nearby, or do not frequent any of these areas (esp. on the south side), I dare say you won't recognize the landscape. It really is striking and, as I said above, only time will tell.

As I recall, the vast majority of stories on the lack of housing have focused on affordable (e.g., sub-$200k) single-family housing, not multi-family megaplexes. And OP's question stands…WHO will be occupying all of these units (new residents, existing residents, students), and if there is this pent-up demand, WHERE are these people living right now? And how many of these people are really excited about $1000-1200 rents for 2BR luxury apartments?

Fair question, especially given the very modest population growth in GF. Some speculate that oil field workers will 'plant' their families in the Forks and deal with the commute every 7-10 days or so. I would say the only realistic answer is mass migration from other high-density, multi-family complexes in town (which would create its own problems), except these new 'luxury' properties are priced much higher. Supply and demand might finally work against the apartment owners and drive rents down. Only time will tell, but I would say the City and the private developers have both taken a huge gamble, and GF should have capped the permits a couple of years sooner than they did.

Nice write up. Thanks for the tip.

We need those 40 virgins to stay put; who else is going to post on this site?

Dear City of Grand Forks, Please, please, please return our orange barrels. You've had them long enough. Sincerely, The Rest of the Civilized World P.S. What ARE you doing with all of them?

Those schools need to schedule one another. "USC wins it. That will be a wrap, folks! The Beavers have had their fill of the Trojans tonight."

Can you name the department or describe your source? While UND's handling of the nickname is certainly fair game for criticism, I believe that people on here are entitled to know whether something asserted as true is a fact or merely a rumor. No offense, but I am calling BS on this one.

I believe the children are our future Teach them well and let them lead the way Show them all the beauty they possess inside Give them a sense of pride to make it easier Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be -- W. Houston

http://www.grandfork...uji-grand-forks Arcade? Laser tag? Mini-golf? I must be getting clairvoyant in my old age. Not the old Scheels site, as I had casually proposed in this thread a couple of months back, but this may be worth a look-see once it's all done.

Even if it does, it loses serious points for being a filthy mess of a Chinese buffet joint. Neither of GF's Chinese buffets are worth the trouble. HuHot serves hot, fresh food. No health inspectors running around with thermometers. And they are ALWAYS tending to the meat and veggie stations.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/huhot-mongolian-grill-coming-grand-forks HuHot. Grand Forks. 'nuff said.

Per GF County land records, it was purchased by Scheels from Columbia Mall Partners LLC in December 2011. Columbia Mall Partners had bought it from Target in October 2004.

http://www.grandfork...o/3608328965001 Looks like June 28 is the date. From the looks of this video, we may have a bit of a crown jewel, and this can be nothing short of a kick in the butt and jump-start for Columbia Mall. Let us hope the area's retail and business communities rise up to occasion and honor Scheels' commitment to Grand Forks.

In case you missed 'em, Pita Pit has in the past few months closed BOTH of its former locations in Grand Forks (near REA and on S. Washington next to Taco John's). They have re-opened a single store in the strip right next to Five Guys on 32nd Ave (in front of Hobby Lobby/Ashley/Kohl's). Don't know that I love the zombie-like move south (seems kind of inevitable, but still a bit of an eff ewe to UND students and staff), but I will definitely continue to support them.

Or this, which just so happens to occupy former anchor space in an older strip mall (a la Scheels in GF): http://www.amazingpizzamachine.com/ Or this chain I mentioned earlier, which in Tulsa sits in a former Venture department store: http://www.incrediblepizza.com/ There are so many good examples of repurposed retail space...I just hope we can turn the Scheels experience into a win-win.

Thanks for dusting this one off, Werewolf. I had forgotten I wrote it. With Scheels nearing completion and reality, this is a valid conversation to have. Of course, it's a good news/bad news thing, right? Great news for Columbia Mall and the key to a possible jump-start and renaissance. Not so good for the present location, which leaves a big footprint to fill. See, e.g., Exhibits A-Z: dozens of former Wal-Mart stores around the country abandoned for SuperCenters, the former still sitting vacant 5-10 years later. Which leads me conveniently to the next point…we need somebody with vision and capital. The current Scheels store could be a great project. Think indoor entertainment venue. Think Dave & Busters. Think Incredible Pizza Company. How many putt-putt holes are there in the Forks? NONE. How many go-cart tracks? NONE. How many laser tag arenas? NONE. How many batting cages? A couple. How many arcades? A couple. How long was this past winter? SIX MONTHS! Anybody else smell opportunity here? IMHO, Grand Forks needs a quality of living boost, and the Arts Corridor alone is not going to cut it.

So what you are in favor of, then, is more-atorium?

Was that a factory option from Chevrolet, or is it aftermarket?

I think it will be a half-day course during which the students must watch the extended director's cut of "Dances with Wolves" and then participate in a brief but de-humanizing restroom session entitled "What if there were no T.P.?"

Lithia could be the primary sponsor..."That's a Lithia Ford Explorer (goal/touchdown/home run)!"

The statute actually says that UND may not "adopt or implement" a nickname until 2015. Whether or not a selection process can begin - publicly or privately - prior to January 1 is up for debate.

Please don't confuse bad or unpopular decisions by a client with bad advice from a lawyer. Attorneys get a bad enough rap as it is.

Now, Fargo getting its Firehouse. http://www.inforum.c...icle/id/433486/ What's a guy gotta do to get a decent sandwich in the Forks?