Roers Announces Downtown Moorhead Development Project Plans

Moorhead’s downtown will be revitalized with expanded opportunities for lifestyle, diversity and a growing expressive culture. Roers has unveiled the initial concept plans for the Downtown Moorhead Development project, inspired by a vision of “More to Moorhead.” The reimagined downtown area is the steppingstone for the future growth and value of Moorhead.

Roers will oversee the planning and execution of the development, which may be upwards of nine city blocks. “Roers is investing in this project as we feel there is a fantastic opportunity for Moorhead, its business community, and its residents,” commented Jim Roers, CEO of Roers.   Roers will work with and bring on other developers to complete the project. “With a project of this magnitude, partnering with other developers in the community will bring new ideas and enhancements to the development. We have already held conversations with interested developers and welcome others to get involved,” said Roers. Roers is the lead developer of the project and is working with the City of Moorhead to establish design standards for the entire project. This will streamline the process for developers who want to be involved in the project.

Roers is partnering with JLG Architects and Stantec to help bring the vision to reality for the development. Building off of Moorhead’s Downtown Master Plan and Comprehensive plan, the design team has worked closely with stakeholders to set the framework for a development that would support the growth and continued prosperity of Moorhead. A vibrant downtown is the heartbeat of any thriving community. Great consideration has gone into developing an intentional master plan that can serve as a framework for development, with the goals of being fresh and exciting for Moorhead residents, as well as existing and new businesses. In the research for the Downtown Moorhead vision, the most common responses were the need for opportunities for Moorhead residents to live, work, and have entertainment options.  

Development Vision

Combining cultural architecture from Moorhead’s roots to all heritages represented in the community, JLG has designed the concept to be a place where people from all cultures can come together. The plan envisions place for people to live, work, shop, relax, learn and celebrate together. Incorporated green space will include water features tying in the connection to the riverfront, entertainment opportunities in an outdoor plaza area or street sections will add to the “gathering” atmosphere. Established museums and new opportunities for art, education and theater will provide a thriving cultural destination.  Unique local and global dining options will attract those visiting but also those living in the development. Housing options may range from rooftop patio condos, walk up townhomes or studio river view apartments. The Downtown Moorhead vision is to create a place where all people can see themselves.

Plans include multiple phases of the project. As the plans are still being finalized, the first phase may include four new buildings and will be located at the east end of the existing Moorhead Center Mall area. The second phase would be on the south section of the Moorhead Center Mall with new buildings added. Each of the spaces within the mall is privately owned, therefore Roers is working with each owner to understand their needs and opportunities for their businesses as part of the new development.  All businesses are welcome to be a part of the development and remain in downtown Moorhead. The City of Moorhead anticipates studying the renovation/relocation of City Hall, however no decision has been made.

“The plan captures a vibrant and inclusive vision for our downtown. It pays homage to the roots of the people of this region, while also creating space and opportunity for people to see themselves living, working, and playing in our downtown,” says Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson. “The City of Moorhead is excited to be part of this incredible redevelopment that will provide the catalyst Moorhead needs to ignite our downtown and create places filled with amazing experiences.”

For more information on this project, to keep up to date on the development status, or if you are interested in being a part of the development (builder or retail), please visit www.moretomoorhead.com. 

Project Background

Roers and the City of Moorhead entered into a predevelopment agreement in 2019 with the option for Roers to purchase City-owned property. The partnership involved identifying redevelopment opportunities for the existing Moorhead City Hall (located at the 500 block of Center Avenue in Moorhead), Moorhead Center Mall and surrounding City-owned property. As part of the partnership, Roers and the City of Moorhead will focus on a development options mutually beneficial for all parties including the Moorhead Center Mall property owners, Downtown Moorhead Inc., residents, and business owners of Moorhead.

Roers is a Fargo-based development company specializing in development, construction, real estate and property management. Roers has a proven track record for building success in the communities we serve, and we can’t wait to take on this huge project with the help of other reputable companies in our area and the City of Moorhead.

Head to our Downtown Moorhead Development project page HERE.

U of Mary

Construction workers at the University of Mary put away the hard hats and put a halt to all the construction for one hour today to celebrate the grand opening of the school’s new residence hall at the center of campus.

Students, faculty, staff and honored guests officially marked the opening of the all-female, 276-bed residence hall with a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony, the unveiling of its new name, Roers Hall (pronounced Roars), and tours of the facility. Roers Hall is just steps east of Welder library tucked between two other residence halls, Greg Butler Hall and Hillside Hall, forming a neatly nestled quad that fosters more interaction among students.

“We are extremely grateful to the Roers family. Their faithfulness and devotion to Catholic higher education and their love for our students and the Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation Monastery, founders and sponsors of the University of Mary, is an inspiration to us all,” said University of Mary President Monsignor James Shea. “Over the years Roers has expanded west from their home in Fargo, so they understand first-hand the growth we are experiencing in North Dakota, particularly in Bismarck and on our campus…”

Read the full article here! 

For full project information click here!

U32 Neighbors Like What They See

FARGO (KFGO) – It’s called U-32.

The 5 story, $22 million apartment complex at 32nd Avenue and North University Drive in Fargo just opened. It didn’t always look that way. Neighbors fought the initial proposal, built on a 25 acre site that was a horse pasture. They took their concerns to Roers, the developer, and to city hall.

After months of meetings and discussion, changes were made to meet neighborhood opposition, and the project got the final city okay last summer. Pepper Eisenhardt helped lead the protest. He lives a block away. He was among several dozen neighbors invited to tour the complex this week. He calls the building “state-of-the-art” and “very impressive.”

Roers executive Larry Nygard says 80% of the 115 apartments are rented. He says there’s a nice mix of tenants, including students from NDSU, only a mile away, along with those with the North Dakota Air National Guard, and the Fargo V-A hospital, both nearby.

Nygard says plans for up to three more similar sized apartment buildings on the property could start two years from now, depending on demand.

 

For all project information you can read it here!

MacKenzie River Pizza Breaks Ground

WEST FARGO — MacKenzie River Pizza has broken ground at 819 24th Ave. E. in West Fargo for its second restaurant in North Dakota.

Glacier Restaurant Group out of Whitefish, Mont., operates MacKenzie River Pizza, which also has a location in Bismarck. This will be the fourth location for franchisees Lance and Shoni Robinson.

“Shoni and I are thrilled to be opening a MacKenzie River here and know the community will love our scratch recipes and the fresh ingredients we use for our gourmet pizzas, juicy burgers, fish tacos and other offerings,” Lance Robinson said in a news release. “We are also excited about our beverage offerings including specialty cocktails, craft beers and our exclusive Driftboat Amber Ale, brewed by Great Northern Brewing Company out of Whitefish, Montana.”

The restaurant is set to open in the third quarter of 2018 and is expected to employ 80 to 90 workers.

Current MacKenzie River locations feature a casual rustic atmosphere with refurbished and felled lumber furnishings, antique outdoor sportsman finishes and photographs of the Rocky Mountains.

For Information on the full project, you can find it here!