The metropolitan population was pushing into 90,000 residents at the start of the decade and exceeds 100,000 by the end. Statewide, the population budged little while the core cities all grew as rural residents migrated to urban. Development improved slightly during the 1990s compared to the previous decade, but doesn’t match the peak of the 1970s in terms of total projects. Bismarck grows at a controlled pace as opposed to the frenzy witnessed not long before. Employment was boosted by national firms who establish local operations during the decade, including U.S. Healthcare (later Aetna), Unisys, and Sykes Enterprises.
Commercial building was mostly confined to State Street (north of Century Avenue) and South Washington Street near Expressway. After the 1980s hotel bust caused several foreclosures, the mid-1990s welcomed a resurgence with seven new hotels: two Fairfield Inns, Expressway Suites, Comfort Suites, Country Suites, AmericInn, and Ramada Limited. Residential activity was strong in the northeast along near the Centennial and Century Avenue intersection. Sattler Homes built a housing development consisting of more than one hundred single-family homes while nearby Century Park replaced many of its aging manufactured homes. The Prairie Oasis Truck Stop opened nearby at the interchange located furthest east along Centennial.
It is the heyday of video rental stores. While rental options first appeared in the 1980s, with Budget Tapes & Records expanding into the field in about 1980, Feist Electronics by 1982, and National Video (later West Coast Video) in 1984. By the 1990s, the video and game rental craze peaked to an almost comical proportion. Cash Wise Foods, Econofoods, and even some gas stations – namely Mini Mart – offered the service. Budget and West Coast (later as Stars on Video) continued along with the likes of Premiere Video (1992-2002), Gizzmoz (1992-1995), Blockbuster Video (1993-2011), Four Star Video, Video Action (1996-2019), Hollywood Nights/Planet Video, Century Video & Tanning (later & Coffee Shop), Spotlight Video & Tanning, and others. Apparently pairing video rentals with tanning beds was the thing to do. Century Video later changed tactics by incorporating a coffee shop, but kept the tanning beds. Spotlight later dropped out of the rental business entirely while continuing its tanning operations. Blockbuster tried another approach when it subdivided to add the city’s first Papa Murphy’s in 1999.
For the first time since the 1940s, Bismarck Public Schools doesn’t dedicate a new schoolhouse. However, both Simle and Bismarck High undergo major upgrades. Simle added its south wing while Bismarck High added the Swanson Wing to the north and modernized the interior. All three junior highs adopted the middle school model, beginning with Wachter. Bismarck State College finished the Community Bowl in 1997 and opened the Jack Science Center the following year – the first new campus building since the 1970s. On the private sector, Shiloh Christian School relocated to 1915 Shiloh Drive on a 43-acre campus – its first permanent home.
In stark contrast to the drought conditions of the preceding decade, the 1990s were wet and snowy. North Dakota witnessed significant flooding, most notably the Red River Flood of 1997 that affected Grand Forks to the greatest extent. Locally, the worst flooding in decades was witnessed in 1993 after record rain fell that July resulting in an estimated $40 million in damage. Wind was also problematic with at least two storms yielding up to 100 MPH winds. One such event was the 1995 microburst. 4 of the top 10 snowfall seasons occurred during the decade, including the snowiest season of all in 1996-1997, hastened by the severest blizzard since 1966.
1990
Simle and Solheim expansions
Voters approved a $4.9 million bond measure on December 3, 1990 to expand Simle Junior High and Solheim Elementary; $4.1 million of which dedicated to Simle’s expansion with an additional $225,000 towards replacing Simle’s roof totalling just over $4.3 million.
When completed in 1992, the Simle project replaced the gymnasium and cafeteria and added ten additional classrooms. The former cafeteria and gymnasium area was divided into two floors and converted to house the library, common area, music room, and additional classrooms. The 45,000-square foot expansion to the south added a new cafeteria and gymnasium with retractable dividing wall for different configurations for one large gymnasium or two subdivided.
U.S. Healthcare/Aetna
U.S. Healthcare announced a Bismarck branch at 1800 E Interstate Avenue with 27 employees. The firm expands to more than 400 employees by 1994 to become one of Bismarck’s largest employers, and becomes Aetna in 1996.
Friendly True Value
Friendly True Value opens a 31,000-square-foot building at 805 S 7th (July). The store closes in 1998 (for 25 days) and 2002. In 2002, it re-opens under new ownership as Mustang Hardware (affiliating with Do it Best Hardware) until October of that year, when it changes back to True Value. It closes a final time in 2006 and is replaced by Kirkwood Ace Hardware and Party America.
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart’s first Bismarck store opened at 701 S Washington in December. It is part of several Wal-Mart openings throughout the Dakotas around the same time. This store is expanded over the years, including the addition of a 5,000-square-foot garden shop in 2000, before relocating in 2005 with two new Supercenters. Today, the building houses Runnings.
Civic Center exhibit hall expansion
The Civic Center completed a 112,000-square-foot addition that included six meeting rooms and a 48,600-square-foot exhibit hall just north of the arena. The addition and main arena were connected with a tunnel to allow easy access between the two facilities.
The $11.2-million project was financed using a sales and leaseback method, along with funding from a voter-approved 1% city sales tax in 1986. This financing vessel guaranteed the 20-mill property tax break promised when the 1% sales tax went into effect. The City sold the Civic Center, a watermain, and the library to Norwest Bank for $17 million. The bank acted as a trustee while the city re-purchased the assets with an interest rate of 8.33%, at installments of $2.1 million per year for 15 years.
Construction commenced in 1987. It was quite controversial. At least two lawsuits were filed. One challenged the project’s financing. The district court ruled in favor of the city, which was later upheld by the state Supreme Court. In 1990, the state Supreme Court ruled that Bismarck had violated a North Dakota’s competitive-bidding law. Despite this, construction was allowed to continue because it was “impractical” to cease.
Controversy aside, the new exhibit hall already had booked 120 days worth of events by the time it held its grand opening in November 1990.
Other 1990 highlights:
- Bob Stoner re-opens Save-Way Superette at 223 N 15th. The store closed in 1982 after decades of operation.
- Mandan Community Center erects North Dakota’s first indoor waterslide. The original three-loop 144-foot slide has since been replaced.
- Civic Plaza Mini Mall opens with an unconfirmed footwear store, Double Dip Ice Cream Store, Ultra Inc./Connecting Point Computer Center, and the city’s first Subway (relocates in 2009, former location now Jimmy John’s).
- Butcher Block Meats opens in Mandan. It more than doubles in size in 1994.
- Dakota Farms replaces Main Street Diner at at 1201 E Main Avenue. The building originally housed Country Kitchen, which closed in 1979, followed by Ron’s Family Restaurant until 1984 and Weisbeck’s Family Restaurant until 1989. Today, it houses Land O’ Lakes.
- Governor George Sinner bans smoking in the State Capitol (October).
- Another Chance Thrift Store opens at 1335 E Interstate Avenue in August. It is the fifth such store benefiting Dakota Boys Ranch.
- Pizza Factory closes for the first time. It re-opens for another stint from 1991-1992.
1991
Sunday Blue Law
In February, the state legislature approved lessening the restrictions of the Sunday opening law, also known as a blue law, allowing most businesses to operate on Sundays, but no earlier than Noon. Grocery stores were previously exempted in 1985. The noon restriction is eliminated in August 2019 – one of the last states to remove such a law.
Liberty Memorial Bridge whistles no more
A $4.5 million renovation concluded in August on the Liberty Memorial Bridge 15 days ahead of schedule. The bridge closed that April for work to commence. The project replaced metal grating with a solid concrete surface on the deck, ending a familiar whistling noise produced by tires. It also reconfigured the approaches on both ends. A signal light was installed on the west side upon entering The Strip. During the project, workers discovered a dangerous defect in the bridge’s original construction where the reinforcing steel wasn’t connected in three of the 34 columns.
Relatedly, a $3.6 million bridge was completed for Highway 6 in Mandan over the railroad tracks at 10th Avenue NW and Main Street. The bridge replaced a viaduct that was constructed in the mid-1920s.
Snooper’s: Bump N’ Tilt and Tons of Fun
Snooper’s Bump N’ Tilt is established at 3100 N 11th. Bump N’ Tilt got its name from the center’s signature indoor bumper cars, but also featured a full arcade. Snoopers had taken over a previous business called “Bump and Tilt Family Fun Center” that operated on the site between about 1982 and August 1991.
A second Snoopers, Tons of Fun, opens in 1994, replacing Rosenbaum’s Appliance at 711 E Sweet Avenue. Bump N’ Tilt closes shortly after. Like its north counterpart, Tons of Fun featured arcade games, but also an indoor playground. Tons of Fun later also housed Giovanni’s Pizza, which relocated from its previous location at the intersection of 16th Street and Thayer Avenue. Tons of Fun closed in 2015.
Time Square Mall
The former Wachter Warehouse was converted into a muli-level shopping center called Time Square. The three-level mall was expected to house 14-16 tenants. Time Square housed five tenants at its May opening: A TCBY yogurt shop facing 5th Street, a women’s clothing store called Something Special, a lingerie store called Secret Moments, a hair salon called Difrentz Style, and children’s clothier Matty’s Kids.
In August, the Something Special owner filed a lawsuit against Time Square’s owners alleging that the mall didn’t meet basic occupancy requirements, including heating and air conditioning. By September, Something Special vacated. A representative of the mall, while “essentially denying” the allegations, did acknowledge the lack of heating and air. He added that he didn’t “think that hinders her business.”
Secret Moments also later filed – and won – a lawsuit against Time Square Mall for contractor fraud. A jury awarded Secret Moments $4,157 for being improperly charged an unreasonable amount to retrofit its store prior to occupancy. It also was awarded $15,000 in punitive damages. On the other side, it found that Time Square Mall did complete $4,293 worth of work, of which he was awarded in a counter-suit.
A new group of investors acquired the mall in October, who planned $600,000 in improvements, including heating and cooling systems. By May 1993, owners announced an agreement with Workers Compensation Bureau to occupy the remaining portions of the mall.
Captain Meriwether’s Landing
Captain Meriwether’s Landing & Pasta Company was established along the riverfront in what was formerly a train depot in nearby Wilton, relocated from offsite. Meriwether’s original intent was to be operated seasonally along with the neighboring riverboat, whose ticket office was also housed on site. Initial high demand prompted year-round operation.
The restaurant’s format was originally quite casual, where patrons could toss used peanut shells onto the rustic hardwood floor. The format later evolved into an upper scale dining establishment. The restaurant was remodeled in 1994, at which time it expanded its menu to include steak and burgers. It was remodeled once more in 1998 when a sit-down bar was added.
Facing increasing financial difficulty, part of which as a result of several long-term road closures near the restaurant, Meriwether’s closed on September 5, 2009. 2011 flooding destroyed the historic building.
Take it to the curb: “Cadillac” garbage collection ends
Bismarck debuted a new garbage collection policy, eliminating the so-called “Cadillac” service where garbage would be collected from next to residences. Moving forward, garbage will only be collected from the curb or alley. Bismarck later adopts “automated” garbage pickup with dedicated waste containers in 2001.
Century Avenue widened
Century Avenue was widened from a two-lane rural configuration into four lanes with additional turning lanes between Washington and State Streets. The project concludes the following year.
Century’s widening expands in phases: Washington Street to Tyler Parkway (1995), State Street to Iowa Lane (1997), and to Centennial Road (2011). Today, it is a four-lane major arterial from Centennial Road westward until intersecting with Tyler Parkway. Current planning will widen Century east of Centennial where it current remains a two-lane rural configuration.
McDonald’s Rock N’ Roll Cafe
Mort Bank opened the McDonald’s Rock N’ Roll Cafe in November, replacing Bismarck’s first McDonald’s location at 2207 E Main, which opened in 1971. The “McRock Cafe” was a Rock N’ Roll themed McDonald’s located at the intersection of Main Avenue and 7th Street, on the former site of Auto-Dine Drive-In and a Sinclair station. The McDonald’s renovated and dropped its Rock N’ Roll theme in 2012.
In total, Mr. Bank opened 7 themed McDonald’s restaurants in North Dakota. Mort Bank later established Space Aliens Grill & Bar in 1997.
Other 1991 highlights:
- Wendy’s closes at 900 E Bismarck Expressway in January after being unable to strike a new lease agreement with the building’s owner. Its location at 2112 N 12th is unaffected, and its owner, who took possession in 1989, announces intent to open another location. Wendy’s ultimately returns to the same building in 1993, replacing Cock ‘N Bull.
- Dakota Burgers relocates from 302 S 9th Street to the corner of 9th Street & Expressway and renames itself Cock ‘N Bull, replacing the displaced Wendy’s, which returns two years later.
- Wachter becomes the first school in North Dakota to convert to the middle school format.
- Simle Junior High begins construction of south wing.
- Kmart announces plans to remodel Bismarck store. It’s the first significant remodel for the store since its opening in 1971. It was one of the first Kmarts modeled after a new prototype implemented in Oak Park, Michigan. The renovation introduced a new logo, wider aisles, and improved lighting. The previously-separate deli and restaurant were combined and relocated to the front. The store’s selling area was also expanded into existing storage space to expand such growing departments as clothing, electronics, and pets. It is remodeled again in 1999 upon transition into the “Big K” format.
- A & W Rootbeer Drive-in is put of for sale. After unable to obtain a new owner, the long-time restaurant closes by 1992.
- Pizza Factory re-opens before closing for a final time. It originally replaced the local Happy Joe’s franchises from 1984-1990.
1992
The City of Bismarck debuted a new star logo in 1992. The logo was updated in 2021 but retained the star theme.
The Burleigh County Courthouse added a parking ramp and larger 42,920-square-foot detention center for an approximate cost of $4.5 million. The expanded detention center increases capacity from 23 prisoners to 68 standard, and up to 92 with some double-bunking.
Mid Dakota Clinic completed a $3.2 million addition, including a $2.4 million 30,000-square-foot wing to its east end and a skyway connecting to nearby Saint Alexius Hospital. Previously, the outgrown Clinic leased space within Saint Alexius. Moving forward, the two entities continue sharing physical space.
Saint Alexius itself completed some renovation that year, adding a new 80-person-capacity chapel on the ground level of its southwest corner, replacing the previous chapel on the second story within its oldest wing.
Bismarck’s first Applebee’s opened inside the former Rax Restaurant at 434 S 3rd. The building originally housed Village Inn Pizza Parlor. Rax occupied it in 1985. Applebee’s expands by 42-48 seats two years later, occupying a portion of the lot once housing Howard’s Steak House.
Burger King opened its second Bismarck location in Gateway Mall’s outlot. It is the first local drive-through to feature dual order lanes. The restaurant closes in 2012 when its owner opts not to renew the lease. A replacement opens at Sunrise Town Centre in 2017.
Pier 1 Imports opened on South Washington in October. Previously, in 1976, a Pier 1 “Associate Store” opened at 112 N 5th Street. That store operated until at least 1978. Pier 1 announced the closing of its Bismarck store in 2020.
Premiere Video opens on the northeast corner of Washington Street and Expressway. It closes in 2002.
Gizzmoz Pizzeria & Video opens at Arrowhead Plaza. The enterprise closes in 1995, replaced by The Walrus.
Comfort Inn (today’s Quality Inn) completes $1.6 million expansion and renovation project, which adds a lounge, 3 meetings rooms, and 38 guest rooms.
New traffic signal implemented at Divide Avenue and 19th Street, replacing a single stop sign from 19th.
1993: Flooding and record-breaking blizzard
1993 witnessed some of the worst flooding since Garrison Dam’s closure, resulting in about $40 million in damage. Unlike most flooding events, this one wasn’t caused by ice jams but instead 14 inches of rain that July – the wettest month on record. As a result of the near-constant rain, it was also the fourth-coldest July on record. Later that year, between November 22-25, 23.4 inches of snow buried the city with as much as 28.3 inches reported elsewhere. It was a record snowfall event, beating the 1966 blizzard. While not beaten in total snowfall, the 1997 Blizzard four years later is considered more severe.
Record low interest rates ignited a housing boom with a large majority of new residences constructed in the Wachter’s Pebble Creek Addition north of Century Avenue and the Southport development along the river. Apartment complex construction was also strong that year.
Traffic infrastructure was a top story of 1993. That November, Bismarck completed a $2.2 million five-story parking ramp on the northeast corner of Main Avenue and Third Street. The city also placed flashing warning beacons at the intersection of 7th Street and Bowen Avenue in response to a high frequency of traffic incidents there, including two recent fatalities. A traffic signal is rejected due to the steepness of 7th Street.
Washington Street underpass, business boom
The biggest road project that year was the completion of a $6.3 million underpass at Washington Street and Main Avenue in September. Washington Street traffic increases by 60% over the next year to 16,000 vehicles per day – about the same as a 2016 study. This caused traffic strain along the corridor, particularly at Avenue C where it was still a four-way stop. A 1997 Tribune articled cited the Washington Street intersection with Expressway as the city’s busiest intersection. A 1999 article cited it as 6th. It was the city’s first dual left lane turn signal as a result.
Together with the opening of Bismarck’s first Wal-Mart three years prior, the increased traffic sparked a commercial boom. Within a year, nearly a dozen new businesses opened along South Washington and the adjoining Expressway: Pier 1 Imports (in 1992), Perkins (Bismarck’s second), McDonald’s (then Bismarck’s fourth), Fairfield Inn (Bismarck’s second), Blockbuster Video, Premiere Video, Budget Tapes and Video (Bismarck’s second), and Little Caesar’s Pizza (Bismarck’s second). Houlihan’s and Staples will open there a couple years later. The Up Front Plaza also sprouted immediately southwest of the underpass at Front Avenue.
Prairie Oasis Truck Stop, Stamart
In March, the Prairie Oasis Truck Stop (today Stamart Travel Center) opened near the easternmost interchange. At more than 16,000+ square feet, it features a truck stop, convenience store, and restaurant. Today it is known as Stamart Travel Center, housing Marlin’s Family Restaurant and Cheap Shots Sports Grill.
That same year, Stamart acquired existing Jet Stores from Conoco and re-branded them Stamart. The stores were extensively remodeled. Specifically, the Bismarck store on the northeast corner of Divide Avenue and State Street converted Jet’s former service station into a liquor store. Indoor cafe-style seating was also added. Prior to Jet, the stores operated under the Western Food Stores banner, also a Conoco brand. Both locations became Petro Serve USA stores in 2010 while the Oasis truck stop continues operating as Stamart.
Medcenter One merges with Q&R Clinic; $7.9 million expansion and outpatient center
Medcenter One and Q&R Clinic officially merged, having shared equipment and facilities since 1984. Medcenter One also completed a $7.9 million expansion project that year, which added two stories – for a total of seven – to its main hospital building and a new 30,000-square-foot outpatient center across of Rosser Avenue, attached via skyway and underground tunnel to the main hospital.
The project faced intense scrutiny prior to approval, largely the result of objections from competing Saint Alexius. The disagreement came to a head in November 1990 when the state Health Council – a citizen panel that approves major expansions and expense requisitions by medical facilities – denied Medcenter’s certificate of need for the expansion, which originally was estimated at $9.5 million to included a shelled third floor addition to accommodate future expansion on top of the two floors that are ultimately added.
The reduced project won approval in January 1991. In plea for approval, Medcenter One agreed to reduce its licensed bed capacity from 256 beds to 232. Soon after, a court injunction halted Medcenter’s progress of its outpatient building, after commencing construction of “shelled” third and fourth floors. The Health Council was under the assumption that the outpatient building would only be two stories. Medcenter appealed to the state Supreme Court that the added cost fell under the $750,000 limit required for Council approval. The Council reversed its objection and approved the additional two stories in July 1992.
Hotel franchise changes
Hotels played musical chairs with their franchises: Ramada becomes Best Western Doublewood Inn, Holiday Inn becomes Ramada, and Sheraton-Galleria becomes Holiday Inn.
Herberger’s closes Gateway store, expands Kirkwood
Target added 15,000 square feet and Herberger’s 30,000 square feet to their Kirkwood Mall stores. As a result of the Kirkwood store expansion, Herberger’s shutters its Gateway Mall store (announced that June, closed 1994). Herberger’s opened there ten years prior upon purchasing Moorhead-based Eckstein, which itself replace A.W. Lucas only one year earlier, in 1982.
The former Herberger’s south anchor at Gateway Mall struggles to find a permanently replacement.
Kirkwood smoking ban
In other Kirkwood Mall news that year, Kirkwood joined three other North Dakota malls in implementing a smoking ban on May 1st. The ban only includes the mall’s common areas. Individual tenants are permitted to voluntarily enforce the ban or not, with many restaurants continuing to allow smoking for years to come, including McDonald’s, Arby’s, and Grizzly’s. At the time, Gateway Mall had not yet decided on a ban.
Southridge Centre
Nearby, the first stores open at Southridge Centre. Edward Shafer – former president of Gold Seal and later Governor of North Dakota – was a primary investor in the project, along with Joe Ibach and local developer Bill Daniel.
The first tenants announced, in 1990, included Corwin Churchill Appliance, Big Sky Athletics, Cost Cutters, and TCBY. None of these tenants remain at the center, nor have been confirmed to have ever opened there. Other early tenants included Color Tile and Carpeting, Beauty Mark and Secret Moments, and Jesperson Orthodontic Clinic. In 1995, long-time tenant Rainbow Shop relocated from Kirkwood Mall into Southridge.
Southridge expanded 22,000 square feet to its south beginning in 1996, with Barnes & Noble taking 20,000 square feet of the new space when it became established as an anchor the following year. The store also housed Bismarck’s first Starbucks. Barnes & Noble announced plans to relocate in 2022.
Blockbuster Video
Blockbuster Video opens a 6,500-square-foot store at at 207 S Washington in December. Bismarck’s first Papa Murphy’s is later established inside, in 1999, occupying the southern portion of the building. The store closed in 2011. Today, it is home to Bismarck Title Company.
The site formerly housed the city’s Arts Club previously occupied the site, which was noted for having been the last intact interior design by architect Ludwig Mies.
McSports Dome
Opening October 29th, the State Street McDonald’s remodeled and expanded to become the “McSports Dome,” where it featured a sports theme, ten mounted televisions, and a sprawling indoor children’s playground area. The dome itself was twenty feet high and forty feet wide and boasted a four-level tunnel maze with slides and two ball pits. The building is replaced in 2008.
It was the second themed McDonald’s for owner Mort Bank, after the “McRock Cafe” on Main Avenue, who will open a NASCAR-themed McDonald’s near the Centennial Road interchange in 2003.
Other 1993 highlights:
- Workers Compensation Bureau signs agreement to occupy all vacant portions of the failed Time Square Mall project.
- $14 million Prairie Knights Casino opens in nearby Cannon Ball, and 4 Bears Casino at nearby New Town.
- House of Sund Pet Center opens at Gateway Mall.
- Central barracks and granary reconstructed at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.
- Missouri Valley YMCA begins a $1.5 million expansion, adding a third gymnasium, larger running track, and new weight and aerobic rooms.
- Unisys announces Bismarck facility at 1133 College Drive, expected to employ 125
- Stamart acquires Jet Stores from Conoco. It remodels and re-brands the two local stores.
- Continental Airlines withdrew from the market that year.
- Wendy’s re-opens its south Bismarck location along Expressway & 9th. For a span of two years, the restaurant operated as Cock ‘N Bull (formerly Dakota Burgers).
- First buildings moved to Buck Stop Junction historic site east of Bismarck.
1994
Commercial building boomed in 1994 with $16.9 million. Single-family housing units dipped but multifamily units spiked with the number of units being 59.5% higher than the previous year.
Curbside recycling pilot
Bismarck rolled out a pilot curbside recycling program, commencing on June 1st. The two-year trial included about one-third of the city’s households in northeast Bismarck. The target area roughly comprised north of Broadway Avenue and south of I-94, and west of Centennial Avenue to portions of 9th Street and 4th Street on the east. Residents in the program were provided colorful bins of red, yellow, and blue for sorting. The program is discontinued on December 31, 1996 citing costs. In exchange, recycling trailers were placed at three sites in Bismarck. Curbside recycling doesn’t return until 2014.
Fore Seasons Golf Center; Pebble Creek Golf Course
The Fore Seasons Golf Center and its dome open at 2525 N 19th. It initially featured an indoor 12-tee driving range, batting cages, and an outdoor miniature golf course. Plans for adjoining Pebble Creek came to light that year, but numerous obstacles relating to water management from Hay Creek delayed its construction and it won’t open until 1999. It rests on 80 acres donated by the Wachters.
Midco, Grand expansions; Dakota Twin closes
At a cost of $2 million, Gateway Mall’s movie theater expanded from three to eight screens and rebrands as Midco 8. At the time, it is the most modern and largest theater in the region. Midcontinent Theaters shuttered Dakota Twin, located downtown, upon completing the Gateway expansion.
Nearby Grand Theater also added three screens to a total of six.
Gateway to Science Center
Gateway to Science Center was established that year at Gateway Mall. The mall donated the 2,000-square-foot space to house the initiative. In 2005, the hands-on science center relocates into the Frances Leach High Prairie Arts & Science Complex (formerly Masonic Center) at 1810 Schafer Street, next to Bismarck State College. Plans are underway to relocate into a $30-million independent building.
Other 1994 highlights:
- Borrowed Bucks Roadhouse opens at 118 S 3rd.
- Simle switches to the middle school format.
- A Blimpie sub shop opens at 424 S 3rd on the site formerly home to Howard’s Family Steak House, which was divided into multiple tenants. Blimpie’s later relocates to Airport Road before closing.
- The Glatts acquire Roll N’ Pin in October and re-open it in 1995 as Kroll’s Kitchen North.
- Sioux Falls Cable, a subsidiary of Midcontinent Communications, acquires Bismarck-Mandan’s cable system from Meredith.
- Fox Island, a 217-acre housing project near the river, begins development.
- Medcenter One (now Sanford) opens an $800,000 primary care clinic at Washington Street and Century Avenue (July).
- Snooper’s Tons of Fun is established, supplementing Snoopers Bump N’ Tilt, the latter of which closes sometime after. Tons of Fun closes in 2015.
- Bank Center First (now American Bank Center) establishes a 440-square-foot full-service branch inside Econofoods.
- Cash Wise Foods temporarily re-brands as SuperFair Foods.
- Applebees expands its 3rd Street restaurant by 42-48 seats. The expansion occupies a portion of the lot once occupied by Howard’s Steak House.
- Caffee Aroma is established in the Logan Building. It relocates to 4th & Broadway under new owners in 2016, closing in 2019.
- Numerous fall ill from an E. Coli outbreak at The Woodhouse.
- Herbergers closes Gateway location. The department store expanded at Kirkwood Mall in 1993.
- Suncoast Video and Software Etc. opens at Kirkwood Mall
1995
Economic conditions were strong in 1995, with local unemployment dipping as low as 2.5%. North Dakota’s nuclear arsenal becomes the most of any state. After crashing in about 1985, oil activity started to pick back up in 1995, this time near Dickinson.
Road improvements
Century Avenue continued its widening efforts to four lanes. The stretch between Washington Street and Tyler Parkway completes in October. That year also commenced the first improvements to Interstate 94 since its 1965 opening, which includes interchange replacements. Work is concluded the following year.
Several new traffic signals debut that year: Arbor Avenue at 7th and 9th Streets, Divide Avenue at College Drive, and Washington Street at both East and West Bowen Avenues. The last set was required by federal guidelines as a condition to federal money used in the recently completed Washington underpass.
Microburst
Mother Nature continued to show her power when a microburst ripped through on July 20 causing winds of 80-100 MPH. Many trees were uprooted and roofs torn from buildings. The storm was not expected to strike Bismarck-Mandan, but hit at about 7:00 pm after taking a sharp turn directly for the capital. Despite heavy damage, no major injuries were reported.
Fireworks return to Capitol
To commemorate Independence Day, a fireworks display was hosted at the State Capitol for the first time since the state’s centennial celebration in 1989. It is combined with a free concert performed by the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra. About 3,000 attendees were estimated. The event becomes an annual tradition and grows in popularity.
Dan’s “Supermarket” and the Wal-Mart lawsuit
On July 4th, 1995 at a cost of $5 million, Dan’s opened a new store at 835 S Washington, replacing Kirkwood Supervalu. It was the first Dan’s store in Bismarck (second overall, after its Rapid City store in 1993) to officially brand with the “Supermarket” banner, as opposed to Supervalu, although its official corporate name was “Dan’s Super Market” as early as the 1980s. It was also the first local location outside of Arrowhead to brand as “Dan’s.”
The South Washington Dan’s was revolutionary for the market at the time, not only in size, but amenities. It spanned 65,000 square feet – 13,000 square feet bigger than competitor Econofoods, who was the largest at the time. It was the first local grocer built specifically to house a banking institution. The new store also featured a gift shop, coffee shop, and bakery with a separate entrance for fast and convenient shopping. For a short time, it also featured parcel pickup service, much like its Kirkwood and Gateway predecessors.
Dan’s purchased land for the store years earlier – in 1987. The project was originally intended to be a joint venture with ShopKo – then owned by Supervalu – who dropped out after Dan’s failed to commit to a construction date. Dan’s opted to wait until improvements were made to Washington Street, including the Main Avenue underpass.
The land purchase included a restrictive covenant agreement that banned any direct competitor from operating on neighboring parcels for 20 years (through 2007). When Wal-Mart opened a store in the neighboring lot in 1990, Dan’s enforced the non-competitive clause. At first, Dan’s was victorious in their lawsuit against Wal-Mart, but the national retail chain won an appeal in 1994 that permitted the sale of limited groceries.
Frictions between the two retailers continued. Wal-Mart objected when Dan’s attempted to build a permanent driveway connecting them. Without a physical barrier, commuters created their own paths to bypass busy Washington Street. An agreement was ultimately made in 1997, where Dan’s footed the entire construction bill in exchange of dropping the covenant restriction.
Dakota Rattlers and Wizards
Dakota Rattlers – a local Prairie League baseball team – held its first season that summer. It dissolves after two seasons with the cancellation confirmed on February 28, 1997.
That December, the more successful Dakota Wizards formed as part of the International Basketball Association. The team relocates in 2012.
Restaurant changes
There were numerous changes on the local restaurant scene in 1995. Carry’s Kitchen and the north Perkins were remodeled, Skipper’s at 2601 State Street become Joey’s Only (which shutters within a year), China Garden opened at Northbrook Mall, and The Badlands Bar & Grill replaced the Beach House at 115 S 5th Street (closed in 1997, now The Elbow Room).
That year, Randal “Wally” Walz opened The Walrus restaurant at Arrowhead Shopping Plaza. Walz came to Bismarck in 1992 as the manager of the city’s first Applebee’s. The Walrus replaced Gizzmoz Pizzeria & Video that operated there since 1992.
Jacob’s Trading/World’s Greatest Deals
Minnesota-based Jacob’s Trading Company opened a deep-discount store inside the former Herbger’s at Gateway Mall that July. The store later becomes World’s Greatest Deals before closing (July). Upon its closure in 1999, Gateway was unable to attract a permanent replacement for the center anchor until Conlin’s Furniture occupied it in 2004, who departed in 2009. After a short occupancy by Famous Labels, Harbor Freight Tools took over part of the anchor space in 2015.
Kirkwood Mall changes
At Kirkwood Mall, Scheels Sporting Goods expanded to 28,000 square feet becoming Kirkwood Mall’s sixth-largest store at the time and qualifying as a junior anchor. That same year, The Buckle opened at Kirkwood while Musicland relocated and becomes Sam Goody that December. K-G Men’s shuttered as part of its nationwide liquidation.
Up Front Plaza
Jerry Harmon and Dr. Charles Volk began developing Up Front Plaza on the northeast corner of Washington Street and Front Avenue. The first tenant to open was Ed Foo Young Restaurant, which opened in February 1996. Despite reports of strong sales, the locally-owned franchised Chinese take-out diner shuttered the following year, on February 16th.
Repeat Performance was second to occupy Up Front Plaza, relocating from 402 E Bowen Avenue. As of 2019, its tenants include Plato’s Closet, Duffy’s Hockey & Sports, Americash, and an Army Recruiting Center. Previous notable entities have included Play It Again Sports (relocated in 2003) and Paper Warehouse (later Party Universe, then Party America, then Party World).
Local news goes online
The Bismarck Tribune jumped onto the whole Internet thing that December when it launched its first website – ndonline.com. It is the state’s first news agency to launch an independent website. Ndonline.com is initially updated weekly with the top stories. It is the evolution of an interactive subscription-based bulletin board software launched by the Tribune the previous October. North Dakota Online was touted as North Dakota’s first “computerized news service.”
Other 1995 highlights:
- Capital RV relocates to 1900 Industrial Road (January).
- The Bird House relocates to 3101 State Street (January).
- Wallwork Truck Center opens at 1910 Hancock Drive
- Bev’s House of Furniture at 117 N 4th is renamed Downtown Furniture.
- Mandan Hardee’s is replaced by a new building with bigger parking lot.
- Zimmerman’s Furniture is established at 201 E Main. That location is now the company’s clearance center while its primary store occupies the historic Webb Block.
- Bismarck National Bank rebrands as “BNC” upon acquiring Metropolitan Federal Bank from Minneapolis-based First Bank System Inc.
- Unisys occupies 1133 College Drive.
- Claire’s Accessories opens at Gateway Mall, supplementing its Kirkwood store
- Pearle Vision opens
- United Building Centers closes Thunderbird Home Improvement store.
- Mac’s Hardware commences construction of its store at 26th Street and Bismarck Expressway (November)
1996
The local economy remained prosperous in 1996 with the unemployment rate dipping as low as 2.6% in November – the lowest for that month in 39 years. Grain prices reached a new record, but plummeted soon after.
Commercial building nearly surpassed the strong 1994 valuation, but fell slightly short at $16.4 million. That was on top of $11 million in remodels.
1996 saw more major road improvements. Riverwood Drive was realigned southward to intersect with Denver Avenue at Washington Street. The speed limit of Washington Street between Expressway and Bowen Avenues was increased from 25 MPH to 35 MPH. The zone is later expanded to Front Avenue. In Mandan, Main Street widened to four lanes at a cost of $7 million.
New traffic signals were approved for Century Avenue at 4th Street, 12th Street at University Drive, and 26th Street at Rosser Avenue.
Saint Alexius expansion, skyway and tunnel
Saint Alexius purchased the Medical Arts Building for $3.1 million. The healthcare provider also began construction of a $5 million Bone & Joint Center on the southwest corner of Rosser Avenue and 9th Street with a skyway across 9th Street and an underground tunnel buried 14 feet beneath connecting to the main hospital. Also completed a $1 million renovation of its fifth floor.
Houlihan’s
After several delays, Houlihan’s opened a Bismarck restaurant in February. It was a local franchise owned by Ken Reno, who acquired the land from Bismarck Elks in 1994 for $1.3 million. It had 233 seats and was constructed for about $1.8 million. It closes in 2001 and is replaced by Green Mill the following year, who also has since shuttered. Today, the site is home to Bremer Bank.
T.J. Maxx and Rex TV & Appliance
T.J. Maxx opened that November, occupying the western portion of the former Kirkwood Dan’s Supervalu. The retailer had previously been reported to be considering the former Herberger’s space at Gateway Mall. TJMaxx later relocates to Pinehurst Square in 2006.
Rex joins T.J. Maxx the following year in occupying the eastern portion of the building. Rex remains there until closing in 2008.
Today, the building now houses Verge Fitness (formerly Gold’s Gym) and Petco.
Bismarck High renovation and expansion
Bismarck High underwent major renovation to modernize its interior while also adding the Swanson Wing to the north that houses two gymnasiums, a fine arts center, music rooms, and social studies rooms.
Other 1996 highlights:
- Sykes Enterprises establishes Bismarck branch (January).
- Country West Conoco opens at 2205 Tyler Parkway in February.
- Belle Mehus Auditorium undergoes major renovation at a cost of $2.5 million.
- Joey’s Only shutters after a year inside the former Skipper’s at 2601 State Street. The building is demolished to be replaced by Arby’s in 1997.
- Shiloh Christian School relocates to 1915 Shiloh Drive – a 43-acre campus and its first permanent home.
- Bismarck abandons its trial curbside recycling program that commenced in June 1994. The two-year trial included households in northeast Bismarck, or about one-third of the city, in which residents were provided three colorful bins for sorting. Curbside recycling doesn’t return until 2014.
- First Southwest Bank (now Starion Financial) enters the market with its first location at 2900 N Washington.
1997: Blizzard and record snowfall
Feeding off a heavy start to the snow season, the 1996-1997 still holds a record for total snowfall with 101.6 inches. The Blizzard of April 1997 was among the worst on record and certainly the severest since March 1966. 17 inches of snow fell with snow drifts as high as 15 feet. While the November 1993 storm brought more snow, total conditions made this blizzard worse. It was not isolated to Bismarck-Mandan. Almost the entirety of the state felt the blizzard, which was a major contributing factor to the Red River Flood.
Precipitation commenced Friday, April 4 in the form of freezing rain and sleet. The blizzard struck hardest on Saturday, April 5. At its peak, snow was falling on average 1.5-2 inches per hour, mixed with 50-60 MPH winds, according to an official report. The storm slowly came to an end in the region on Sunday, April 6, pushing to the east.
An estimated 75,000 households lost power, many of which waited at least 4-5 days to have power restored. An estimated $21.5 million worth of damage was sprung from roof collapses, mostly at farm structures. Unable to make deliveries, 200,000 pounds of milk was dumped. Local schools were closed Monday and Tuesday, days after the blizzard struck as the region unburied.
Ironically, the area experienced spring-like conditions of temperatures into the 60s only two days before the storm first struck. While weather forecasts leading up to the event predicted a strong storm, only 8-12 inches of snow were expected. A forecaster with the National Weather Service stated on April 5th in the Bismarck Tribune that he wasn’t expecting any “historic significance” from the pending weather event.
It would be the last significant snow storm until 2013.
BEST closes
BEST Products closed its Bismarck store, along with eighty others. The store opened as Labelle’s August 1979, was acquired by BEST in 1982, and re-branded in 1987.
Space Aliens Grill & Bar
Mort Bank founded the Space Aliens Grill & Bar, opening on the northeast corner of Century Avenue and State Street. The space-themed restaurant features an arcade. It later expands to several locations across North Dakota and Minnesota, some of them franchises. A second Bismarck location operated downtown from October 2011 until August 2012.
Bank previously found success operating several themes McDonald’s restaurants, including the McDonalds Rock N Roll Cafe on Main Avenue.
Fast Food openings; A&W returns
1996 witnessed somewhat of a fast food boom with five such establishments opening new locations that year. McDonald’s opened its fifth local restaurant (fourth in Bismarck) on Burnt Boat Drive in January. Arby’s opened a second location on the former Skipper’s site on State Street. Schlotzsky’s Deli opened on Interstate Avenue across from Kmart. A&W opened a drive-through inside the new Cenex on Divide. On the Mandan side, Burger King opened on the site once home to Popeye’s.
For A&W, it was the first time in about five years there was an A&W location in Bismarck. That June, the Fargo-based franchise owners purchased the Hot Dogs & More kiosk at Kirkwood Mall and rebranded it as A&W. By the next summer, in July 1997, an A&W was announced for the northeast corner of Third Street and Front Avenue. The Cenex location did not last long after that. Another location opened in about 2003 at 3120 N 14th Street (on State Street), but closed in May 2006 citing staffing difficulties. It became Wendy’s in 2007.
The Third Street location co-branded with Long John Silver’s in 2001 – the first in country to do so. The restaurant became Reza’s Pitch in 2010, which itself closed in 2016.
Other 1997 highlights:
- Rex TV & Appliance occupies the remaining portion of the former Kirkwood Dan’s Supervalu, joining TJMaxx. It was the third Rex to open in North Dakota. It closes in 2008 and now houses Petco.
- The Elbow Room replaces The Badlands Bar & Grill, which opened in 1995 at 115 S 5th Street. The long-time bar relocated after its former landlord registered the trade name and filed a lawsuit. The matter is ultimately settled out of court.
- Barnes & Noble opens Bismarck store, as an anchor at the newly expanded Southridge Centre.
- First approved in 1994, the BSC Community Bowl holds grand opening. It receives $8 million in upgrades and is rechristened the MDU Community Bowl in 2014.
1998
For the first time in history, more building permits were issued outside of city limits than within the City of Bismarck itself. Total residential permit valuation increased 39% compared to the previous year.
Kirkwood Hardware Hank becomes Ace
Kirkwood Hardware Hank affiliated with the Ace chain. The previous Ace franchise – Anderson Ace Hardware located downtown – closed in August 1996.
Originally known as Kirkwood OK Hardware before becoming franchising with Hardware Hank, the store originated at 421 South 3rd Street in about 1974. Current owner Jeff Hinz purchased the store in 1990 (one source says 1989). He was previously manager of the store.
The building that has housed Kirkwood Ace Hardware since 2007 was built in 1990 to house Friendly True Value, which shuttered for a final time in September 2006. The former building that housed Kirkwood Ace/Hardware Hank on 3rd Street is now home to Easter Seals Goodwill Store.
Staples and Office Depot
Staples and Office Depot both opened stores, each of them the first in North Dakota. Staples, which built a freestanding store on South Washington Street, preceded Office Depot by several months. Office Depot occupies the western half of the former “BEST” store, which closed in 1997. Both office stores, along with Office Max, had bid for the former Best space. Office Max never opened a Bismarck store but did in Minot.
KFYR sold
The Meyer family divested its radio and television station group, including KFYR-AM and KFYR-TV for nearly $70 million. It’s an impressive sum for a business enterprise that started as a stationery, floral, and cigar shop almost exactly one hundred years prior.
Sunrise Television acquired the television group. Ownership later transfers to The Wicks Group, then Hoak Media. Today the television stations are owned by Gray Television. Jacor Communications (later Clear Channel Communications, now iHeart) acquired the radio group. This split the two KFYRs into different ownership, but both entities remained at the same building for several years thereafter.
Erickstad double murder
One of Bismarck’s most shocking murder cases occurred on September 17th when 18-year-old Brian Erickstad and 27-year-old Robert Lawrence murdered Erickstad’s adoptive parents, stabbing them each more than twenty times and almost decapitating one of them. The pair dumped the victims’ bodies in a wooded area near Selfridge, North Dakota and then went about their daily lives until the bodies were discovered the next day. They were arrested in Texas two days later.
The jury took three-and-a-half hours to deliberate before convicted both Erickstad and Lawrence of class AA murder, as well as four additional charges. Erickstad was senetenced to life imprisonment plus 10 years and Lawrence life plus 30 years. Appeals fail.
Other 1998 highlights:
- Jade Garden closes and is replaced by Los Amigos.
- Expressway Plaza, at 12th Street and Expressway, is expanded and renamed Time Square under new owners, not to be confused with the unrelated mall of the same name.
- Friendly True Value closes the first time, for 25 days. It will close again in 2002 and, finally, in 2006.
- Sioux Sporting Goods closes after 52 years.
1999
Total building permits totaled $101.8 million – a 17% increase from the previous year. $18.4 million was commercial and $30.2 million residential.
Two new golf courses open that year: Hawktree northwest of the city and Pebble Creek.
Civic Center expansion
A $9.8 million (one source says $8.6 million) addition to the Bismarck Civic Center’s south was dedicated in December. Construction commenced in March 1998. This addition included 1,000 new seats, a new main entrance, new ticket box office, upper-level food court, and 1,200-capacity reception area. Other improvements included new sound, lighting, and curtain systems.
Montgomery Ward closure
Montgomery Ward closed on May 2nd, leaving an empty anchor spot at Kirkwood Mall not filled until 2002 with I. Keating Furniture. Wards was an original anchor and previously had its location downtown on the northwest corner of 4th and Thayer, where it first opened in 1928. That building is still called the Wards Building and functions as a professional building.
Dakota Block restoration
The Dakota Block – one of Bismarck’s oldest buildings – commenced a $500,000 renovation with $47,000 in TIF funding. The project concludes in 2002.
Damaging summer storm
Near-100 MPH winds, coupled with large hail and nearly 3 inches of rain caused widespread damage during the McQuade Tournament on June 25. Trees were uprooted. Even light poled snapped. Northeast Bismarck was struck particularly hard. A home on the 4700 block of Trenton Drive had its garage blown into the family room. Mobile homes were blown from their foundation. One victim is the original Fore Seasons Golf Dome.
Other 1999 highlights:
- Bismarck’s first Papa Murphy’s is established inside Blockbuster Video at 207 S Washington.
- Bismarck’s Kmart adopts the “Big K” format and remodels accordingly, relocating several departments to incorporate a “pantry” that adds milk, dairy, and other food essentials. It’s the first remodel since 1991 and the final significant renovation to the store before its closing in 2020.
- KFC Mandan location at 614 W Main Street closes and is replaced by Securian Financial. The location opened in about 1986.
- Clarence Sayler and Daryl Rosenau, long-time employees, purchase Feist Electronics from Andrew and Keith Feist in February. They relocate in May from the Dakota Block to 225 W Broadway Avenue.
- Dairy Queen opens inside the former Pony Express on South 12th Street, near Bismarck Expressway. It was the third Queen in Bismarck, in addition to Mandan. The restaurant later relocates across from the south Walmart Supercenter.
- Hollywood Video – then the nation’s second-largest video rental chain – opens its first Bismarck store, replacing the Budget Music & Video on South Washington. The store closes in or around 2010 and is replaced by locally-owned Box Office Video.
- 85×200-foot second ice sheet added to the north of the VFW All Seasons Arena for about $1.8 million.
- Covered Wagon Bar closes in November after the building’s owner, Medcenter One, opted not to renew its lease to demolish the building for parking. Much of its assets were gifted to Buckstop Junction. The bar originated at 412 E Broadway in about 1938 before relocating to 206 N 6th in the late 1950s. The building was built in 1934 as the State Theater.
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