"Large entertainment center" in the works?
I've heard rumors lately of a development eyeing a location on Gateway Drive near University Village. The rumors have some sort of "large entertainment center" being constructed near the former site of the Westward Ho complex. What I've been hearing is that the site that is being looked at for this development is the land where the derelict Transport Incorporated and Weekley's Auto buildings currently stand. You may remember that these buildings are slated for demolition in the near future. It seems that the owners of those buildings may want to tear down their properties so they can sell them to the developers of this new complex.
As far as what a "large entertainment center" is, I'll let you be the judge. Maybe some re-incarnation of the Westward Ho? The old Westward Ho motel recently changed hands and the new owners may be in on the plans for the new development. Perhaps the complex might include a brand new hotel? There does seem to be a desire to have a hotel closer to Engelstad Arena, but would anyone really want to build a new hotel just east of the Simplot factory?
I would love to see this area redeveloped. The buildings on this site are ugly and have long outlived their usefulness. A new commercial development of this potential magnitude might be just the ticket for starting the cleanup of Gateway Drive once and for all.
Remember, this is still just a rumor as far as I'm concerned. Still, I've heard plenty of talk of this and I've even heard that there has been some discussion of this amongst city staff. I guess time will tell.
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If both sides of the English coulee on the north side of Gateway could be developed, this would mesh in nicely with the developments near the REA.
Had previously thought the REA wanted a hotel between the Betty and the new Fitness center, so Betty would see more use as a rented out activity center and so the hotel customers could use the Fitness center. Has this option been eliminated?
Also, any info on what will be developed northeast of Suite49?
How about a decent resturant/sports bar to compete with Suite 49... Are they truly closed on Sundays? How can they call themselves a sports bar and be closed on Sunday?
As a student, I wonder why we're paying a few hundred dollars a year in fees for that fitness center (per student!) if anyone would consider opening it up to hotel clientele. I think that'd be a hard sell to the community that paid for the building.
Had previously thought the REA wanted a hotel between the Betty and the new Fitness center, so Betty would see more use as a rented out activity center and so the hotel customers could use the Fitness center. Has this option been eliminated?
I have never actually heard of that specific location for a hotel. I've heard plenty of rumors about a University Village hotel, but not one "between" the Betty and the Wellness Center. Would there really be any room between those facilities? I've heard that the University is saving some land adjacent to the Wellness Center for a future outdoor waterpark.
There had been talk that a hotel would help front money for a waterpark / pool to be used both by the hotel and UND. Supposedly , everyone would benefit. Whether this is practical or feasible is an entirely different question.
Very interesting, anonymous. I had just never heard of this specific proposal before. I always assumed that a University Village hotel would probably go somewhere north of the Ralph...maybe north of Suite 49.
an outdoor waterpark? hopefully not.
What's wrong with an outdoor waterpark? From what I've heard, Canad plans on adding an outdoor area to their waterpark in the future if things go well.
OK, since UND students are mainly here in the cooler months, an outdoor waterpark connected to the Wellness Center would be dumb. Still, I think adding an outdoor portion to the Canad waterpark would be a great idea for the summer months.
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