Friday, August 29, 2008

New downtown projects

The Grand Forks office of Urban Development is working with private developers to get two new projects off the ground in downtown Grand Forks. At the same time, the city is developing a new program to assist future economic development projects such as these. (agenda)

The Marcil Group plans to invest $1.2 million to remodel the St. John's Block.  Their plans include remodeling space for the new Firkin Pub planned for the building and rehabbing nine apartments in the upper floors.

The old YWCA building across the street from Central High may soon be downtown's newest apartment development.  The building's owner, Mr. Steele Sacks, plans to convert the space into 25 new apartment units at a total cost of $2.03 million.

City staff at Urban Development is working with Bremer Bank to develop a "financial instrument" modeled after the Bank of North Dakota's PACE program for economic development.  The new program could assist these two downtown developments and future projects in the city's core.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Its about time something was done with the YWCA building...

bjmoney said...

You DON'T like looking at a giant pile of pidgeon shit, broken glass and plywood? weird.

Anonymous said...

I know... Isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Pigeon shit is right. The building's owner, Mr. Steele Sacks (is that for real? Sounds like a James Bond villain.) should pony up $50 *today* and clean that up.

Any enterprising individuals out there that want to get a horrible disease from the pigeon shit? If you do, I bet you could sue the hell out of the building's owner and have plenty left over after paying your hospital bills.

It beats working your way through school.

Anonymous said...

Is there ANYTHING fun to do on a long weekend in GRAND Forks??? Tried biking but the wind makes that a bit difficult when you are hauling kids around.

I heard a rumor while at the mall that Target is actually blocking anyone taking over that empty space...is that true???

This is a pitiful pitiful place to live...if it weren't for bars and banks there would be nothing new.

Anonymous said...

to anon 1120 am..

I get so tired of these this is a pitiful place to live, etc. remarks. What are you people looking for...we are NOT Minneapolis. On a windy day like today (Sunday) this nothing to do talk would go on anywhere in whatever size town (Fargo and Bismarck included). Yes we wanted spend more time outside today...but with the heat and wind cannot. We just find ways to play inside the house.

I know this city isnt perfect...none is...and there are complaints to be had as all cities do...but please having nothing to do has nothing to do with the city it has everything to do with your imagination.

That's my 2-cents.

Anonymous said...

4:49 PM: i agree with you completely. The comment they made brought up another subject though.
(Tried biking but the wind makes that a bit difficult when you are hauling kids around.) I am curious. Are you one of those bikers that pull the little carriage behind you while you bike down the street? I see a lot of bike riders doing that. Isn't that a little dangerous? Don't ask me why, because that should be obvious.

Anonymous said...

Try taking your kids bowling, to the water park, to a park where it is more sheltered from the wind (riverside for instance), take them to the mall play area, take them to the library, go to a fast food place and get them a healthy alternative and let them play in the playland, play in your house...etc. Boy, there sure are no ideas, are there??

Anonymous said...

Maybe I don't see the obvious but why are those pull behind bike trailers dangerous? There are seat belts in them and children are supposed to be wearing helmets also. They are made for toddlers not infants if that is what you are thinking.

Anonymous said...

It's ALWAYS windy in this town.

Anonymous said...

As long as you ride upwind first, the second half of the ride will be a breeze.

Anonymous said...

Well try kayaking on the river. Spent 6 hours on the water today. Or go for a nature walk in U Park

Anonymous said...

What a terrible name for a pub. Firkin Pub

Anonymous said...

Take in a movie at the dollar theatre, Columbia 4, in Grand Forks. They are open for matinees on Labor Day. That is something you can do. If you wait and go on Tuesday night, you can bring your own bucket or bowl and get popcorn for 50 cents.

Anonymous said...

If you're bored you're boring. Plain and simple.

It's the end of the beautiful, dog-days in August. There are dozens of things to do. Strangers on a website shouldn't have to make lists for you.

Anonymous said...

Why are the pull behind trailers dangerous? It's not the cyclist I am worried about. It's the automobiles. bicycles and motorcycles are hard to see to begin with. It just seems that the child in the trailer seems unprotected from alll the other traffic.

Anonymous said...

Re: Anonymous said...
What a terrible name for a pub. Firkin Pub
10:56 PM, August 31, 2008

I agree, it's a dumb name. I am no prude, but I really don't care for the way they use the word "firkin" to represent another "F" word. I read their menu. Obviously it is an English Pub. Also, they advertise "bangers". Bangers are suppose to be wrapped in a flaky dough, but the picture of their bangers didn't look like that to me. The bottom line is, their name is firkin stupid...

Anonymous said...

"Bangers are suppose to be wrapped in a flaky dough, but the picture of their bangers didn't look like that to me."

Bangers are an English sausage usually served with potatoes and onion gravy as "Bangers and Mash". The sausages are grilled, not wrapped in anything. You're probably thinking of "Pigs in a Blanket".

Anonymous said...

"It just seems that the child in the trailer seems unprotected from alll the other traffic."
The drivers in Grand Forks are some of the worst I have ever seen. I do suppose people would drive that close behind a bike.

Anonymous said...

That's my point.If you are making a right turn at any intersection with the bike and trailer, i promise that you are taking a big risk, especially riding on the street...

Anonymous said...

The bike trail is named after Andy Hampsten.. As a kid in GF he spun the wind to his advantage. When asked how he got to the Tours of Italy, France and Switz. he said by riding against the wind in GF & the RR Valley.

Spearman

Anonymous said...

Firkin pubs are quite popular eleswhere. Their bangers and mash are to die for.

It's amusing how many people rush to judge a place that hasn't even opened yet. Those folks aren't really giving the place a fair shake.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and to all you folks with dirty minds...

..."firkin" is a British unit of measurement.

Anonymous said...

Re: Anonymous said...
Oh, and to all you folks with dirty minds...
"firkin" is a British unit of measurement.
3:55 AM, September 02, 2008

When the menu says "Lettuce firkin serve you" or "get firkin served" I dont think they had a unit of measurement in mind...

Anonymous said...

English bangers suck!

Anonymous said...

9;42

i am thinking of banger rolls...not the banger itself.

Anonymous said...

Alright already with the pub concept! Has it run it's course yet? I hope so. Here's the cycle...put out a pub concept menu. No one orders the bangers and mashers, shepherd's pie, etc. Then, you rewrite the menu for the bar crowd. Bring back the burgers, chix sandwiches, and fried food and apps. But, leave a few pub fare items for the concept. Then, a customer orders bangers and mashers and gets nuked hot dogs and potato bud "mashers".

Sounds good, huh?

Anonymous said...

"Then, a customer orders bangers and mashers and gets nuked hot dogs and potato bud "mashers"."

If that's what happens, I'll order it once. The Bangers and Mash at Tavern United aren't great, but they're good enough to meet the need without driving to Winnipeg.

Anonymous said...

RE: Anonymous said...
"When the menu says "Lettuce firkin serve you" or "get firkin served" I dont think they had a unit of measurement in mind..."
3:55 AM, September 02, 2008


Perhaps after a few "firkins" of beer, you might gain a sense of humor....

Anonymous said...

It has nothing to do with a sense of humor, it's a dumb name. I would like to have a battle of wits with you, but I would never fight an unarmed man...so firk you!

Anonymous said...

RE: "...so firk you!"


That's more like it! :)