Moorhead’s Downtown Transformation is Underway!
Moorhead is buzzing with excitement as a significant transformation of its downtown area is officially underway! Residents may have noticed a bit of construction fury over at the corner of Center Avenue and Seventh Street, where the 650 Block project is taking shape. This marks the very first new building to rise above the ground level in a reimagined downtown Moorhead, aimed at revitalizing the area and bringing new life to the community.
What’s in Store for the 650 Block?
The project, initially known as the 600 Block, will be a mixed-use building featuring businesses on the ground floor, which is perfect for foot traffic, and apartments on the upper levels. Developer Kevin Bartram has shared that construction has been going smoothly thus far, though it’s not without its surprises. With such a historic site, old foundations and underground pipes have popped up, but that’s all part of the adventure! “Nothing we were not expecting, but you never know exactly what you’re going to run into,” Bartram commented.
This building is just the beginning! It’s part of a larger plan to redevelop a whopping nine city blocks in downtown Moorhead, which will include apartments, commercial spaces, and additional parking. Alongside the construction of the 650 Block, there are also efforts underway to pave a new street and build a brand-new public library and community center. This is a truly exciting time for the city!
Building Progress and Features
The precast concrete slabs currently being installed at the 650 Block will form the foundation for the first-floor parking structure and commercial spaces, along with stair and elevator towers. Once that’s done, three stories of wooden framing will rise above the concrete groundwork. Residents and future tenants can look forward to two wings of apartments, one offering views of Center Avenue to the south and the other overlooking the picturesque Red River to the north. Among the businesses that will call the 650 Block home is Downtown Chiropractic, one of the last remaining businesses in the Moorhead Center Mall.
Bartram is aiming to finish this building by early fall 2025, so there’s still a bit of a wait, but it’s going to be worth it!
Road Updates
Just to the west, there’s even more good news as work on a new section of roadway is nearing completion. Crews have been busy with sewer and water work underneath the street and are now focusing on pouring the road and curbs on a portion of Sixth Street, ensuring convenient access to the parking lot on the east side of the mall. City Engineer Tom Trowbridge has expressed his gratitude for the favorable weather that has allowed construction to continue into November, a time that usually sees teams wrapping up work for the season due to early snow. “We’re just lucky that we’re able to keep working right now,” Trowbridge noted.
Business Landscape Shifting
As the construction progresses, businesses in the Moorhead Center Mall are also seeing some changes. With the Clay County Department of Motor Vehicles recently moving to a new location on 15th Avenue North, there are encouraging signs of new developments on the horizon. Many services from Moorhead City Hall have temporarily relocated across Center Avenue while renovations happen in their original space. The mall still houses a handful of businesses, including Downtown Chiropractic and other local favorites.
Future Plans for the Community
With the western side of the remaining mall now mostly vacated, plans for further demolition are set to kick off in late winter or early spring. Derrick LaPoint, president and CEO of Downtown Moorhead Inc., shared the goal of leading the next phase of demolition to clear the way for more exciting infrastructure and development opportunities.
Meanwhile, at the construction site for the new public library and community center, crews are making great strides. They’ve installed precast concrete beams and columns and are prepping the basement for the next construction stages, with hopes for the new building to open by spring 2026.
Conclusion
Moorhead’s downtown is on the brink of a significant transformation. The 650 Block project is just the beginning of several exciting developments that will breathe new life into the area. Residents should stay tuned as Moorhead continues to evolve—there’s so much to look forward to!
