FARGO (KFGO) - A big snag in plans to build a $23 million, block long apartment and retail development next to the NDSU campus.
The NDSU Foundation project is in the 1600 block of North University Drive and plans a four story building with 109 apartments with 364 bedrooms. The developer has already demolished 21-homes on the block owned by the foundation to make way for the project. Last night, city commissioners failed to get the necessary four vote super-majority needed to vacate an alley on the block which would allow construction to start.
Roosevelt Neighborhood spokesman Ken Enockson,told commissioners this is another case why the north side group has been against large apartment developments, fearing the loss of more single family homes. He said residents in the north side neighborhood are looking to "maintain our quality of life. We have a quality of life. That's what we're fighting for."
Enockson says despite repeated attempts to find out what the NDSU Foundation planned for the properties, his group failed to get any solid answers.
The foundation and the developer will now have to consider a plan that doesn't involve vacating the alley or once again seek to vacate the alley.
