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Multiple street projects and private developments create maze downtown, but complaints hard to come by

August 19, 2022

Despite a number of public and private construction projects that are creating bottlenecks and detours on downtown streets, Joe Schneider, the co-owner of Joe Black’s Bar and Grill and the Hub Pub, said there hasn’t been any major inconvenience for his businesses.

“Construction is always inconvenient for everyone, whether it’s business or on the interstate going to the lake or whatever,” Schneider said. “We’re getting through it really good. When the weather’s nice, people are more apt to deal with the inconvenience.”

“People love being downtown and there’s a lot of activities,” Schneider said.

The Herald approached several people downtown on a recent afternoon, and they generally said the same — they don’t mind it.

At least five development projects are ongoing this summer in downtown Grand Forks, including a number of street construction projects. City leaders – including City Administrator Todd Feland and Chamber of Commerce CEO Barry Wilfahrt – say they haven’t heard much complaining.

“I have not heard a single complaint about the construction because I think everyone knows our downtown is in a renaissance period and we’re all eagerly anticipating what our downtown is going to be in two or three years,” Wilfahrt said. “Our downtown will be something we can really be proud of, on both sides of the river.”

Feland said people have been patient with the various projects.

“Even though it’s been an inconvenience, people have been positive about all the construction activity going on downtown,” Feland said.

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