‘Historic day’ for West Fargo as new city plaza project begins

WEST FARGO- City leaders here took swings at the buildings that will be demolished to make way for the new Sheyenne Plaza during a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

The $12 million, 124,000-square-foot complex in the 400 block of Sheyenne Street will include a mix of residential and business uses, with the potential to include a small city park or gathering space. A second, similar building is planned in the 300 block of Sheyenne Street when the first phase is complete.

“This is a historic day for the city,” Mayor Rich Mattern said.

Construction, which includes demolition of a strip mall and the building that was the former home of Fish Shoppe, was expected to begin shortly after July 4. The discovery of asbestos pushed back the wrecking ball while developers waited for experts to clear the buildings of the dangerous material.

Sheyenne Plaza is expected to be finished by 2017, at which time the West Fargo VFW will move into the main floor space. Moore Engineering, the city’s engineering firm, also plans to move into office spaces located in the plaza.

“Moore Engineering is thrilled to be part of this development that will bring new energy and momentum to downtown West Fargo,” Jeffry Volk, president and CEO of Moore Engineering, said in a release. ” Our company has outgrown its current space on Ninth Street, and Sheyenne Plaza is an ideal fit for us. We plan to move around 25 employees to the new office initially, with potentially more to follow as circumstances change.”

The second phase, to be named Pioneer Plaza, was contingent on whether West Fargo VFW members decided to move from their location at 308 Sheyenne St.

Not all properties in the 300 block plan to move. Off the Wall Advertising, 322 Sheyenne St., decided to remain where it is, and the Home Upholstery Shop is still in negotiations with the development group, which is led by Todd Berning.