2010-Present: Bismarck Today

June 11, 2021

North Dakota entered the 2010s as the fourth-highest oil producing state in the nation, surpassing California to become third for the first time in March 2012 and climbed to the number two position within another year – a distinction it continues to hold as of 2021. Tracking oil activity during the decade is nearly impossible. It would be a story in itself. Suffice it to say, oil activity breaks record after record… from the number of active wells to the number of barrels exported.

The oil boom started to soften by the middle of the decade, only to pick back up to a new daily production record of 1.5 million barrels in 2019 before declining once again with plummeting demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One would think that the massive expansion of big box retail that began in 2004 would have slowed by the next decade, but it didn’t. The first phase of Hay Creek Shops opened in 2015, bringing yet another wave of national brands – newcomers like Michael’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Gordman’s (closed in 2020), Ulta Salon, and Bed, Bath, & Beyond. Opening the following year, the second phase added Ross Dress For Less and Kirkland’s. Some, such as Dollar Tree and Maurices, previously maintained Bismarck locations. On a local level, that year also witnessed the first phase opening of Sunrise Town Centre, anchored by Dan’s Supermarket and Williquors.

There were several controversial government-backed projects that caused much debate and at least one lawsuit: BSC Aquatic and Wellness Center, Bismarck Civic Center expansion, Quiet Rail Zone, Depot Plaza, FiveSouth, and Main Avenue’s “road diet.” Many of these were opposed due to tax increases, but still proceeded with either private investment or using existing public funding that didn’t require a public vote. These cases were perceived as a runaround by some residents.

2010

BSC Aquatic and Wellness Center

The $9.4 million BSC Aquatic and Wellness Center opened in March. Bismarck State College operates the facility jointly with the Bismarck Park Board, who has owned it since 2014. It houses an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool, separate 25-yard indoor pool with a designated diving and lap area, and a fitness center.

With groundbreaking in June 2008, the facility was met with both anticipation and controversy. Much of the controversy related to the fact that tax dollars were used, in part through MIDA bonds, as a financing vehicle after a public vote in 2006 overwhelmingly rejected a sales tax increase to fund such a facility. Instead, the non-profit group Streamline Foundation primarily financed its construction, leasing it back to the Parks department for $700,000 per year until the department acquired the facility for $8.68 million in 2014.

The increased price tag from an initial $7 million estimate also spurred controversy. In 2010, North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem ruled that the Bismarck Park District violated the state’s competitive bidding law when financing a $600,000+ biomass heating system for the center. As a direct result, the Bismarck Park Board suspended its director for three weeks unpaid.

TIF Lawsuit, Quiet Rail Zone and New Parking Ramp

Two projects set to begin in 2010 were halted after local businessman Curly Haugland filed a lawsuit against the City of Bismarck for alleged misuse of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.

The first was to upgrade the railroad crossings at 3rd, 5th, and 12th Streets to implement a quiet rail zone at an original estimated cost of $1.5 million – growing to $3.2 million in the end. The second was another parking ramp – to be located off Broadway Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets for an original estimated cost of $8 million. It will be the city’s first new parking ramp since 1992.

A judge threw out the lawsuit in January 2011, but Haugland appealed it to the state Supreme Court, who sent it back to the district court. In November 2021, Northeast District Judge Donovan Foughty ruled in favor of the City regarding the matter.

City Commissioners pressed forward with the projects the following month. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the parking ramp was held on October 1, 2014. The quiet rail zone was first implemented in January 2017.

Mayor Warford wins landslide third term; Commissioner Sprynczynatyk retires

Winning a strong majority, Mayor John Warford secured a third mayoral term while long-time Commissioner Connie Sprynczynatyk stepped down for retirement after twenty years on the Bismarck City Commission and the previous twelve years on the city’s park board.

At the end of his third term, in 2014, Warford accepted the position as Dean of University of Mary’s Gary Tharaldson School of Business. Commissioner Mike Seminary was elected mayor.

Other 2010 highlights:

Businesses to close that year included Vlana Vlee and Tuesday Morning in January, and Brides By Maxine in February.

The A&W/Long John Silver’s located on the northeast corner of Third Street and Front Avenue changed format to become Reza’s Pitch – a soccer-themed restaurant by Reza Kamranian, who previously owned stake in the local Sergio’s Mexican Restaurant (1987-2004) and Rock’N 50’s Cafe (until 1992) at Gateway Fashion Mall. Reza’s Pitch closed in June 2016 and was demolished to be replaced with First Western Bank & Trust.

Business openings included the city’s first Jimmy John’s  (July), Men’s Wearhouse (August), Five Guys Burger (November), Famous Labels (November, closed in 2012), and Toasted Frog (December).

  • CVS/pharmacy relocates Kirkwood Mall location, after 38 years at the shopping center (January 24)
  • Sunrise Elementary opens
  • Minot-based Ryan Chevrolet announces purchase of Corwin-Churchill Motors (February 3)
  • BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center opens (February)
  • St. Gabriel’s Community opens (May)
  • Magi-Touch Carpet & Furniture begins 30,000 square-foot expansion (July)
  • La Quinta Inns & Suites opens on the former site of the International Stir Fry Restaurant.

2011: Flooding

Two years after river flooding hit Bismarck-Mandan, even worse flooding struck the area in 2011. This time, it was not confined to Bismarck-Mandan. In fact, twenty-two communities experienced flood crests causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. Minot was hit the worst of all from cresting of the Souris/Mouse River.

In Bismarck-Mandan, the Missouri River crested at 19.25 feet on July 1st – nearly five feet above flood stage and three feet above 2009’s crest. Nearly 900 homes were evacuated and nearly 700 filed damage claims. A home located in the Hoge Island development – northwest Bismarck – captured widespread attention when media depicted it collapsing into floodwaters despite a ring of sandbag protection. It is perhaps the most recognized of all images from the event.

North Dakota’s National Guard commenced local operations on May 24th – the day after doing so in Minot. At its peak, more than 1,200 National Guardsmen were on active duty locally. More than 13 million sandbags were filled between Burleigh and Morton Counties at sites that included the Northern Plains Commerce Centre in Bismarck and across from Raging Rivers in Mandan.

As Lake Sakakawea approached maximum capacity, the emergency spillway gates at Garrison Dam – built to protect against Missouri River flooding – were opened for the first time in history on June 1st. This amped up dam releases to a record 150,000 cubic feet of water per second. One report states that failing to do so would have resulted in a crest of 24.2 feet. It could have resulted in most of southern Bismarck beneath water.

Century Avenue: 4 lanes west of Centennial Road

Concluding an effort that first began nineteen years before, the final stretch of Century Avenue west of Centennial Road became four lanes that year. The first stretch to be upgraded from its original two-lane rural configuration was between State Street and Washington Street in 1992. As of 2021, the only stretch of Century Avenue to remain two lanes is east of Centennial where the classification drops from principal arterial to a collector and traffic drops by almost half (as of 2016).

Bismarck Motor Hotel Fire

Fire ripped through the Bismarck Motor Hotel – 2301 E Main Avenue – the early morning of January 24th. 55 guests – many of live resident occupants – were evacuated. Many lost everything they owned. The cause is ruled accidental. A new hotel was erected on the same site in 2013.

Roy Synstegard originated the hotel in 1939 as a tourist camp with three cabins. It grew into a modern motor hotel with 32 units by 1955, when he sold it to Alfred Retzlaff.

Until the fire, the hotel was an iconic 1950s-era roadside motel noted for its retro sign featuring a star (pictured in this article). The new sign also incorporates a star, likely as a homage.

Public Smoking Ban

During a special election held on April 19th, Bismarck residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of extending the public smoking ban to bars, truck stops, and smoke shops in today’s special election, with roughly 2/3 support. Smoking shelters were also narrowly voted down, as was paying for the election through sales tax funds.

The movement was highly debated. Supporters argued for the right to clean air, while opponents expressed concerns over revenue impacts and business owner rights.

The previous August, the Bismarck City Commission approved extending the smoking ban0. Two months later, the Employees for Individual Freedom, which consisted mainly of bar employees, successfully submitted a petition that necessitated a special election.

Other 2011 highlights:

2012

In March, North Dakota surpassed California to become the third-largest oil producing state for the first time.

After nearly record-breaking snowfall the season prior, which attributed to widespread flooding, the 2011-2012 winter season ended as the 4th lowest snowfall on record.

Development along the State Street Corridor near the north Walmart makes strong movement in 2012. America’s Mattress relocates there from the former Hollywood Nights Video store on South 3rd Street, and Game Stop opens a second location next door to supplement its Kirkwood store. MacKenzie River Pizza opened in the area that December.

Downtown starts to see a resurgence as well, with the opening of several businesses: Sweet Treats Bakery (replacing Patisserie On Fourth), Fireflour Pizza (its first permanent location), and JL Beers. Also downtown, the McDonald’s Rock N’ Roll Cafe remodeled, dropping the 1950s diner theme. It becomes more localized with images depicting Bismarck scenes – many of which provided by this site.

Closings that year included Hellman Brothers Men’s Clothing (717 E Main), Sweetheart Bakery Outlet (1700 E Main – today’s 3Be Meats), Party World (Up Front Plaza – originally Paper Warehouse, later Party Universe, then Party America), and Dave’s Hobbies (Anderson Building) after 18 years in business.

Legacy High, Liberty and Lincoln Elementary schools approved

In response to a rapidly growing student population, Bismarck Public Schools unanimously approved the construction of a new high school  (Legacy) and two new elementary schools (Liberty and Lincoln). The plan totals an estimated $81 million and is to be voted on by the public before commencing.

The district’s last school to be completed was Sunrise Elementary, opened in August 2010, but Bismarck hadn’t added a public high school since Century High in 1975.

The Board also postponed plans for a fourth middle school or additions to the existing middle schools.

Famous Labels shutters

Famous Labels closed in February after only twenty months. The store replaced Conlin’s Furniture as the south anchor space at Gateway Fashion Mall in October 2010. The space remains empty until opening of Harbor Freight Tools in 2015, which only occupies a small portion of the anchor.

Dakota Wizards relocates

The Dakota Wizards, Bismarck’s D-League basketball team, announced plans to move the team to Santa Cruz, California beginning the next season. The Wizards move was not all that surprising. Shortly after its 2011 purchase by the Golden State Warriors, its new owners confirmed that it was considering moving the team.

The Dakota Wizards was formed in 1995 as a member of the International Basketball Association. The team became affiliated with the Continental Basketball Association in 2001 and then the NBA Development League in 2006. The Wizards had quite a successful run during its tenure in Bismarck, winning several championships.

While the Bismarck Bobcats (hockey-founded 1997) and Bismarck Larks (baseball-founded 2017) have proven successful, this wasn’t the first professional sport team that Bismarck has seen come and go. The Dakota Rattlers were a founding member of the Prairie League in 1995, but the entire league disbanded in 1997. A couple of professional football teams, both indoor and outdoor, have also made attempts in Bismarck.

Scheel’s expands (again)

Scheels Sporting Goods announced plans to greatly expand its Kirkwood Mall location once again, this time by a whopping 40,000 square feet. This nearly doubles their presence at Kirkwood and make it the largest single-floor Scheels store.

The expansion envelopes an entire wing of the mall, consuming its former junior anchor space, along with space formerly occupied by such tenants as Wilson’s Leather and KB Toys. Scheels had already expanded into the space that once held McDonalds years before.

It is quite a story of growth for a retailer that first setup a Bismarck store upon acquiring Elf Our Own Hardware at 118 N 5th Street in January 1966. Its first Kirkwood store opened in 1984. It was just over 7,500 square feet and also the company’s first “All Sports” store.

Grand Theater expands to 22 screens, demolishes former Green Thumb Nursery and Hodge Podge buildings

Grand Theater further cemented its position as the city’s leading movie house that year when it added seven screens to a total of 22, and added additional parking. The projects replaced two recently vacated buildings – Hodge Podge (formerly UBC Thunderbird Home Improvement) and Green Thumb Nursery.

Schlotzsky’s Deli Relocates; Adds Cinnabon

Schlotzsky’s Deli relocated onto the former North American Steak Buffet (Bonanza) site from its previous location across from Kmart, where it had been located since first opening in 1997. The new Schlotzsky’s sports a drive-through and incorporates a Cinnabon Express.

Bobcat Manufacturing re-opens, remodels

The Bobcat Manufacturing plant re-opened after shutting operations in 2009. The following year, the company kicks off a $6.5 million renovation to its Bismarck plant.

Other 2012 highlights:

  • New traffic signal approved for Washington and 43rd
  • Donut Hole becomes Bearscat Bakehouse. The bakery originated in Dickinson – sharing ownership with Baker Boy – before a local partner established a Mandan location in 1978, followed by Bismarck in 1981.
  • Scheels announces plans for 40,000 square foot expansion, would, when complete, will make it the largest single-floor location
  • Doublewood Inn becomes Ramada – the hotel’s original franchise until 1993

2013

Record snowstorm

As the season’s snowfall sat about ten inches below average, a record-breaking snowstorm on April 14th brought 17.3 inches of wet, heavy snow to the Bismarck-Mandan area. It easily shattered the single-day snowfall record of 15.5 inches that was set during the infamous 1966 blizzard. The record had been broken as early as 7:00pm while heavy snow continued piling up. The now-third highest single-day snowfall occurred during the equally impressive April 1997 blizzard.

The April 14 snowstorm also pushed Bismarck beyond the all-time snow record for month of April, beating the 18.7-inch record set in 1984. Unofficial reports indicated as much 23 inches buried the region. By comparison, the official snow totals from the 1966 blizzard was 22 inches.

It was the largest local snowstorm witnessed until April 2022, which set a new April snowfall record for Bismarck.

Riverside Elementary becomes South Central High

After fending off closure ten years earlier, the school boards shutters Riverside Elementary. The move is perceived as a surprise at a time when new elementary schools are being constructed to alleviate overcrowding. In turn, South Central High relocates into the building from Hughes Education Center.

Sykes closes

One year after Bobcat returned hundreds of jobs to Bismarck, the capital lost another major employer when Sykes shut down Bismarck operations in July 2013. While employment numbers fluctuated greatly during its existence since February 1996, Sykes did employ at least 150 people locally at one time.

Mandan Walmart opens

Mandan saw a big retail boost with the opening of Walmart Supercenter near the Sunset Drive interchange that year. Despite many previous attempts – two of which included Kmart-anchored shopping centers – Walmart is the first national big box store to ever operate in the city and anchors a development boom nearby that includes the opening of a Comfort Inn, Burger King, Arby’s, and Thrifty White (relocated from Mandan’s downtown).

West Regional Medical Park

West Regional Medical Group announced plans to break ground on a 16-acre medical park on Calgary Ave near 19th Street. The park was to include six buildings offering different areas of specialties, including dental, chiropractic, and even a surgery center. As of 2021, this has never come to fruition.

Other 2013 highlights:

  • Petco opens inside the former Rex TV and Appliance
  • Bismarck Civic Center $27 million expansion approved
  • RCC Western re-brands Boot Barn
  • TGI Fridays – near the southwest corner of Expressway Avenue and Washington Street – closes abruptly. It opened there in 2000. Today it houses China Town Buffet.
  • Corborn’s purchases Captain Jack’s Liquor Land and Mandan’s Bill’s Liquor.
  • Shiloh Christian School completes an $8.5 million athletic complex.
  • Dan’s Supermarket acquires Bismarck’s Central Market. Mandan store closes.
  • CAT bus provides 135,466 rides, surpasses 1 million mark since inception in May 2004.
  • Epic Sports relocates into former Hansen’s Furniture

2014

2014 witnessed a severe labor shortage. The Broadway Dairy Queen made news when it shuttered early in the season citing “no workforce.” It is not the first time a local business suffered due to an employee shortage. One reason cited, although not confirmed, for TGI Friday’s abrupt closure was an insufficient workforce. The A&W location off of State Street also supposedly closed due to labor shortages.

Despite ongoing improvement efforts, a Department of Transportation study that year revealed that 38% of the state’s top intersections with the highest traffic accident frequencies are located in Bismarck-Mandan. Perhaps a victim of its booming growth. Most of the intersections are along the State Street Corridor.

President Obama visits Standing Rock

President Obama and First Lady Michelle landed at Bismarck Airport while en route to nearby Cannon Ball on the Standing Rock reservation. It was the first ever visit to a North Dakota Indian reservation by a sitting U.S. President. It was also the first time a sitting U.S. President visited North Dakota since George W. Bush in 2001 and the first to visit Bismarck since George H.W. Bush in 1989.

Donald Trump will visit as a candidate in 2016 (as well Democratic candidate Senator Bernie Sanders) and sitting President in 2017.

East Divide Avenue upgrade concludes

A $9 million project finished on East Divide Avenue that October, straightening its previous “circuitous route” that wrapped around Channel Drive and into present-day Mariam Avenue at Bismarck Expressway. It upgrades the capacity and flow of the arterial road and relocates its intersection with Bismarck Expressway south from the congested intersection next to the interstate interchange. The project is 80% federally funded.

The former portion of Divide from before the realignment is renamed Mariam Avenue.

Curbside recycling launches

Bismarck launched its first city-wide curbside recycling program on March 31. Waste Management was selected as the vendor, who distributed recycling cans to households for pickup every other week. Residents were allowed to voluntarily opt out of the program. Unlike the city’s previously-failed trial program of the mid-1990s, this program was implemented citywide and didn’t require sorting. It is far better received than the first recycling attempt.

Liberty and Lincoln Elementary schools open

Two new elementary schools – Liberty and Lincoln – are added to the Bismarck school system. Lincoln is the first school to be located in the City of Lincoln, which has been one of North Dakota’s fast growing cities since its 1970s formation.

Heritage Center expansion

The 97,000-square-foot expansion of the North Dakota Heritage Center – first opened in 1981 – officially opened to the public on November 2nd – the 125th anniversary of North Dakota’s statehood. The enlarged museum features additional exhibit and gallery spaces along with a glass atrium, outdoor space, theater, and the James River Café.

The expansion cost roughly $52 million, with $39.9 million appropriated by the state legislature in 2009.

Saint Alexius partners with CHI, plans Minot complex

Saint Alexius signed an agreement with Catholic Health Initiatives to become a direct affiliate. The 129-year-old hospital – the first in Dakota Territory – remains under local influence from the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, who founded it as the Lamborn Hospital in 1885.

Earlier that year, Saint Alexius unveiled plans to construct a two-story, 67,575 square foot medical complex in Minot – where it already maintained a clinic – at a cost of $19 million.

Depot Plaza

Local businessman Dale Zimmerman purchased the former Northern Pacific train depot and pledged support for redeveloping the property into a $5 million community park called Depot Plaza. First proposed in the Downtown SubArea Plan, Depot Plaza would feature such activities as winter ice skating and summer festivals.

The concept received mixed response and (as of 2021) never came to fruition. While supporters embraced the benefit of such a hub in Bismarck’s resurging downtown, others criticized the elimination of 96 parking spaces.

MDU Community Bowl

A grand opening for the newly christened and renovated MDU Community Bowl was held on September 13th with NBC’s The Voice finalist, and North Dakota native, Kat Perkins headlining a concert with Jessie Veeder. Improvements total $8 million. MDU donated $2 million to acquire naming rights.

The bowl-shaped venue is a multi-use sporting and entertainment facility. The original Community Bowl, located on Bismarck State College’s campus, was approved in 1994 and debuted in 1997, but was popular for concerts and other events dating back further.

Openings and closings

There were a multitude of business openings that year, many of them restaurants: Broadway Grill & Tavern, Asian Gourmet Market (Up Front Plaza), Sickies Garage (replacing Hooters at 3130 N 14th), La Tejana Mexican Market (located in the former Mini Mart/Best Stop store at the corner of Boulevard Avenue and 14th Street), Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt (1515 Burnt Boat Drive), Golf Etc. (Up Front Plaza), Sakura (Gateway Mall), Williquors (Sunrise Town Centre), and Horizon Market (125 Durango Drive).

Closings included Urban Girl, Coldwater Creek, and Hooter’s. Hooter’s closed when the local franchisee opted not to renew the contract. Hooter’s tried securing another franchisee, but as of 2021 has failed to do so. Good Times Burgers also departed the market – it’s single location was shared with the Pinehurst Square Taco John’s.

Other 2014 highlights:

  • Thrifty White relocates Mandan store from downtown to Overlook Lane near Walmart
  • Bismarck Civic Center is renamed Bismarck Event Center as expansion nears completion
  • American Airlines adds direct flights to Dallas & Chicago
  • New parking ramp is completed at 6th Street and Broadway Avenue.
  • Voters approve a joint Burleigh-Morton County Jail (opens in 2017), but defeat controversial measures to eliminate property taxes and the statewide pharmacy ownership law.
  • Panera Bread announces Bismarck location.
  • Bismarck’s original Burger King on 3rd Street remodels

2015

After delays from a 2010 lawsuit challenging the use of TIF funding, the $3.2 upgrades needed to create a Quiet Rail Zone through downtown Bismarck was approved and moved forward.

15 Bismarck intersections received traffic signal upgrades, replacing “Left Turn Yield on Green” with flashing yellow left turn signals.

There were several announcements for education that year. The $55.5 million, 289,000-square-foot Legacy High School opened for classes. It was Bismarck’s third public high school and the first since Century High in 1975. In the private sector, a new campus to replace the 1952-built Saint Mary’s Central High School was announced.

On the post-secondary level, Rasmussen College – opened as Aaker’s Business College in 2003 – announced it was closing its Bismarck campus while Bismarck State College completed the Communications and Creative Arts Center and Lloyd Ritchie Residence Hall.

Hay Creek Shops and Sunrise Town Centre

The first phase of both Hay Creek Shops and Sunrise Town Centre both opened in 2015, creating two new shopping districts as a result – although Hay Creek Shops supplements commercial development first sparked by Walmart Supercenter ten years earlier, in 2005.

Gee Williquors was first to open at Sunrise Town Centre, the previous December, with Dan’s Supermarket’s opening in January marking the official opening of the neighborhood shopping center. It was the sixth Dan’s operating in the region at the time. A BNC Bank, Burger King, Exxon, and Caribou Coffee soon join, followed later by Amici’s Pizza and others.

Gordman’s was the center’s first tenant announced for Hay Creek Shops in 2013. Development was delayed several times, including from a 2014 loan default, before opening its first phase in 2015 with Dick’s Sporting Goods, Michael’s, and Bed, Bath, & Beyond joining. Phase 2 opened the next year, with such additions as Ross Dress For Less and Kirkland’s.

SpartanNash acquire Dan’s Supermarket

Three month after opening its new location at Sunrise Town Centre, SpartanNash announced plans to purchase Dan’s Supermarket in April, ending 66 years of local ownership. While the locations continue to operate under the “Dan’s” banner, they become serviced by SpartanNash’s distribution warehouses, ending a nearly seven-decade relationship with Supervalu.

Starion Sports Complex

Mandan residents narrowly approved raising the city’s sales tax by three-fourth of a cent to fund a $22 million sports complex. Construction commences April 2016, with Starion Sports Complex opening at 111 Old Red Trail in September 2017 . It includes a two-rink hockey arena, gymnastics facilities, and a new football and track field.

Bismarck Civic Center expansion & name change

A $27-million, 50,000-square-foot expansion of the newly christened Bismarck Event Center concluded, more than doubling the previous exhibition space.

Like the previous exhibit hall expansion, this one was met with controversy after residents voted against a tax increase in 2012 to finance a larger $90 million expansion. That measure would have increased the motel, liquor and restaurant tax by 1.5% and the lodging tax by 1%. Some opponents argued for a full replacement facility in the rapidly growing northern part of the city as opposed to expanding the existing center.

The following year, the City Commission unanimously approves a scaled-back expansion that will be financed through bonds paid by existing taxes, avoiding a public vote. On September 26, 2014, the announcement came that the Bismarck Civic Center would be renamed Bismarck Event Center in response to the facility’s increased diversification.

A design flaw was credited for massive flooding from a severe storm in June 2015, which caused an estimated $200,000 in damage to the newly completed facility.

A severe storm caused $200,000 in damages to the newly renovated Event Center in June.

FiveSouth

Announced that year was FiveSouth, which would redevelop a stretch of 5th and 4th Streets and Sweet and Bowen Avenues near the Bismarck Event Center into a mixed-use dense urban area. Coinciding with the announcement, the city considered establishing a new TIF district and $35 million in infrastructure improvements. A 140-room Sheraton Hotel and CRAVE restaurant were attached to the project in 2016, but nothing else ever materialized. As of 2021, FiveSouth is considered dead.

Government support for the project is deemed controversial by many, not only for the proposed TIF district and infrastructure improvements, but also for the forced vacation the city-owned Bowen Avenue strip mall located in the path of FiveSouth with the city even buying out leases. Some of the tenants there relocate, while Identity Salon closes for good.

Basin Electric expansion

Basin Electric commenced major remodeling and expansion to their sprawling Bismarck campus, which first opened in 1975. The expansion totals almost 100,000 square feet, which allows for all of their 550 local employees to work under the same roof instead of being spread out over four buildings as they were previously.

Business openings and closings

Outside of Sunrise Town Centre and Hay Creek Shops, Harbor Freight Tools occupying a portion of the Gateway Fashion Mall center anchor was the biggest store opening that year. The space sat vacant since Famous Labels closed in February 2012, who itself occupied the space not even two years prior. Another big development was Kirkwood Ace Hardware’s second store – at 4321 Ottawa Street.

Restaurant openings were again numerous: Longhorn Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Classic Rock Coffee, and Terra Nomad. Bearscat Bakehouse opened a Mandan branch.

Closings included Corwin Churchill Appliance after 80 years, Arby’s at Kirkwood Mall (first opened there in 1981 – the first in North Dakota), Animal Kingdom (after 36 years), Snooper’s Tons of Fun (and Giovanni’s Pizza housed within), Arrowhead Tesoro closes (opened in 1956 – Bismarck’s last full service station), and Deb Shops (nationwide liquidation). Northbrook Drug became part of Thrifty White.

2016

Oil activity slowed significantly by 2016. It is only a temporary decline, but it was enough to create a $1 billion budget deficit in the state’s budget cycle. This prompted Governor Dalrymple to call for a special legislative session to address the shortfall.

Dakota Access Pipeline

Construction of the nearby Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) drew thousands of protesters from across the country, who set up various camps near Cannon Ball, most notably the Sacred Stone Camp. By some estimates, the Scared Stone Camp swelled to 10,000 inhabitants at its peak.

Protesters clashed with law enforcement over the span of several months, including altercations in downtown Bismarck. The event, which primarily lasted between August 2016-February 2017, resulted in hundreds of arrests and received national coverage by such outlets as CNN and NBC News. Numerous celebrities made appearances in support of the protests, including Mark Ruffalo, Leo DiCaprio, Jesse Jackson, Shailene Woodley, and Presidential candidate Jill Stein. Woodley and Stein both faced charges in relation to the protests, each of which resulted in plea deals.

Presidential Candidate Visits: Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders

Bismarck hosted the unprecedented campaign stops of two presidential candidates: Republic candidate Donald Trump and Democrat candidate Senator Bernie Sanders. Trump addressed supporters at the Bismarck Event Center, and Sanders in front of the former Northern Pacific depot.

First International Bank & Trust headquarters

In May, ground was broken on a new six-story, $40 million office tower at the southeast corner of Divide and State Street to serve as the headquarters for First International Bank & Trust (May). The site was formerly home to Hillside Motel, which opened in 1949 by Walter Turner, who previously operated Hillside Cabins there. The motel closed sometime around 2007 and was demolished soon after.

Country superstar musician Toby Keith performed at the building’s grand opening in September 2018.

Saxvik Elementary closes

Saxvik Elementary closed after 69 years.

In a controversial decision, the Bismarck School Board voted unanimously to close Saxvik Elementary at the completion of the school year. There were several reasons cited, including declining enrollment despite spiking student growth elsewhere. Further justification came from the $2.4 million needed in renovations.

Built at a cost of nearly $134,000, Saxvik originally housed only four classrooms and an activity room. It had no kitchen with students expected to take lunch at their own residence. The school expanded several times.

Main Avenue “Road Diet”

In a trial program aimed at improving safety and reducing bottlenecks caused from parking and turning vehicles, Bismarck’s Main Avenue went on a so-called “road diet” that year. Approved the previous summer, the project reduced traffic lanes between Mandan Street and 6th Street from 4 lanes to 3, with dedicated left and right turning lanes and added padding to the parking lanes.

Reaction to the diet was mixed. While many applauded the change, others addressed concern in reducing traffic capacity on one of Bismarck’s main through-ways.

Statistically, the diet didn’t reduce overall crashes. There were 48 crashes there between March and October 2017, compared to an average of 47.7 between the same period from 2013-2015. Some collision types, including right angle, reduced while rear-end collisions increased by nearly 40%. The location of collisions also changed, with a significantly higher rate between 6th and 7th Streets, increasing from an average of 4.3 to 15. Conversely, collisions between 4th and 3rd decreased from 8.3 to 3.

Regardless of the mixed response, the change was made permanent in 2018.

Business openings and closings

The second phase of Hay Creek Shops opened, adding Kirkland’s, Maurices, Ross, and Mattress Firm.

At Kirkwood Mall, North Dakota’s first H&M opened. The 22,000-square-foot store could justify junior anchor status, except that it doesn’t have its own outside entrance. A & B Pizza opened a Kirkwood Mall location, replacing Bob’s Pizza.

Gateway Mall suffered another loss with the corporate liquidation of Hancock Fabrics, which first opened as Northwest Fabrics in 1976 at 2504 N 14th Street. It later occupied 1414 Interstate Loop before occupying part of the former Gateway Mall Menards anchor in 2003.

Other openings that year included Sky Zone and Buffalo Wings & Rings.

There were several restaurant closings that year: Fiesta Villa, Golden Corral, Minerva’s, and Reza’s Pitch. The Wendy’s across from Pinehurst Square closed and is replaced by an American Bank Center branch.

Other 2016 highlights:

  • Gate City Bank Residence Hall opens at Bismarck State College.
  • Bismarck debuts a “road diet” along Main Avenue, which reconfigured a portion of the street from four lanes to three, between 6th and Mandan Streets.

2017

At the start of the year, Missouri Valley YMCA partnered with Sanford Health to open the 41,000-square-foot Mandan Family Wellness Center.

  • Capital Ice Complex and Wachter Arena open at 221 Reno Drive, alongside a renovated Schaumberg Arena (November). More than $3.8 million was raised for the project.

President Trump visits

One year after making a campaign stop at Bismarck Event Center, President Trump visited the Mandan oil refinery in September. The visit was largely to support his proposed tax overhaul.

Middle and High School renovations

In March, Bismarck voters overwhelmingly approved a $57.5 million bond measure to renovate and expand all three middle schools (Simle, Wachter, and Horizon), along with Bismarck and Century High Schools. The middle school projects are expected to complete by fall 2018, with all projects concluded by 2020.

Mandan Bonanza closes, Culver’s announced

The Mandan Bonanza restaurant closed that year. The restaurant originated as Choice Cut Family Steak House before being acquired, in 1979, by the original owner of Bismarck’s Bonanza.

Soon after, Culver’s confirmed it would build on the former Bonanza site, which opens in September 2018. Culver’s had been reportedly eying entrance into the market since at least 2014 – originally to be off Skyline Crossings. Hay Creek Shops even marketed a Culver’s being located there for some time. Culver’s is expected to open at 4424 Skyline Crossings in 2021.

Spa D’Athena closes abruptly, faces AG investigation

Spa D’Athena closed abruptly in October aft. The closure was originally reported to be temporary while the business remodeled into a new concept, but the decision is made permanent.

News of the abrupt change seemed related, at least in part, to an investigation by North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem who confirmed a preliminary investigation into the business.

Its assets are liquidated in February 2018.

Burleigh-Morton County Joint Jail

The joint Burleigh/Morton Detention Center was completed in June at 4000 Apple Creek Road. Voters approved the$69 million joint 475-bed jailhouse in 2014.

Wells Fargo Building renovation: Grand Pacific Center

The Wells Fargo building located off Broadway Avenue in downtown Bismarck began renovation. When complete, the building will be called Grand Pacific Center as a homage to the long-time hotel that formerly occupied the site.

Bob’s Photo closes

Bob’s Photo closed at the end of the year as its owner retired. Robert Dolajak founded Bob’s Photo (as Bob’s Pako Filmshop) in 1979 at the newly constructed Gateway Mall, just outside the White Mart department store. For most of its existence, Bob’s Photo resided at 1019 East Interstate Avenue, with a secondary location in south Bismarck, as well as Fargo, for a short stint.

Bob’s Photo was well known for its “Take a shot. It’s a snap!” tagline and jingle.

Other 2017 highlights:

  • Noodlezip opens
  • rue21 Stores closes at Kirkwood & Hay Creek Shops
  • Burger King opens Sunrise Town Centre location. It replaces its Gateway Mall outlot location, closed in 2012 after twenty years.
  • Lucky’s 13 Pub opens.
  • Mandan Arby’s is announced
  • Cash Wise renovations include a new exterior facade and a new checkout and bagging system

2018

2018 was a milestone year for retail.

Sears closes

Having escaped previous rounds of closures, the Sears store at Gateway Fashion Mall closed in or around April of that year. Its auto center previously closed the prior year.

Sears first came to Bismarck in 1946, replacing Webb Brothers on the 300 block of East Main (now Zimmerman’s Furniture). Sears was established as an original anchor tenant when Gateway Mall opened in 1979. It was the mall’s last surviving original anchor.

As of 2021, the space remains unoccupied.

Planet Fitness opens

The news wasn’t all bad for Gateway Fashion Mall. Planet Fitness – a national fitness chain – renovated the former Hancock Fabric junior anchor space at Gateway Mall. Gateway Mall said at the time that the mall was down to only two vacancies. It is unclear if this included Sears, whose lease was still active.

Kirkwood Mall renovation

Kirkwood Mall commenced major remodeling in February that upgraded its south entrance, restrooms, furniture, and common area flooring – replacing most of the common area carpet with a hard surface for the first time in the mall’s history. Another significant change was removing the now-iconic palm tree poles that were added to the atrium during the 1985 remodel.

Herberger’s closes

Bon-Ton – the parent company of Herberger’s – liquidated in 2018, forcing the closure of all stores, including the one at Kirkwood Mall. It was Kirkwood’s biggest store exit since CVS/pharmacy relocated in January 2010 and the first anchor departure since Marshall Field’s in 2005.

First opening there on March 23, 1971, Herberger’s was the last of the original anchors to close at Kirkwood Mall. Originally, Herberger’s occupied most of the south portion of the then-Y-shaped shopping center. It was 65,000 square feet – the largest in the chain at the time. The anchor space was reconfigured and expanded as part of the mall’s 1980 expansion, extending the anchor westward and adding a net gain of 15,000 square feet, once again becoming the chain’s largest store. The store is remodeled again in 1985 and 1988 before adding another 30,000 square feet in 1993. Herberger’s also was an anchor store at Gateway Mall from 1983-1993.

Arrowhead Dan’s Supermarket closes

Dan’s Supermarket parent SpartanNash stunned residents when it announced its intent not to renew its lease at Arrowhead Plaza. The long-time grocery store closed on February 21 after 65 years.

While the company itself was founded in 1949 as Bismarck Supervalu, the store at Arrowhead was the first “Dan’s” when it opened in November 1953 at the newly christened Arrowhead Plaza. The name remained exclusive to the Arrowhead store for years until being formally adopted across all of its locations.

Its original Arrowhead location was in the space mostly remembered for housing Ben Franklin between 1974-2007. Dan’s relocated in 1960 when Arrowhead Plaza expanded north. The store underwent a $500,000 renovation in 1987; a look that remained largely unchanged to its closing. National retailer Family Dollar occupied the space in 2019.

New Governor’s Residence

The current Governor’s Residence became occupied in March, replacing the previous residence that was first occupied in March 1960.

The 2015 State Legislature approved $4 million for its construction and to demolish the 1960-era residence. Additional private financing was secured. Governor Jack Dalrymple signed bill SB 2304 in April 2015 and groundwork began in September 2016. The Residence was erected immediately adjacent to the 1960s-era house.

The original Governor’s Residence at 320 E Avenue B is a historic landmark.

Other 2018 highlights:

2019

New Saint Mary’s Central High School

Saint Mary’s Central High School opened a new campus at 5802 Ridgeland Drive in August, relocating from its previous schoolhouse where it was housed since 1952. The former schoolhouse continues to serve as a middle school.

Business openings

Starting off the year, Cash Wise opened a second Bismarck store, near 43rd Avenue and State Street in January. The store was first announced in 2018. Cash Wise joined Kirkwood Ace Hardware, which opened almost five years prior, to anchor a retail hub near the northwest intersection of State Street and 43rd Avenue.

Family Dollar was announced as a replacement to the former Dan’s Supermarket at Arrowhead Plaza. The national retailer already maintained a Mandan location, but shuttered its former Bismarck store on Expressway in 2018.

Pizza Ranch opened at Hay Creek Shops, complimenting its long-time Mandan restaurant.

Runnings relocated its Mandan store from The Strip to the former Central Market grocery store on Main Street in August.

Noodles & Company opened in November.

Business closures

2019 had a slew of big business closures.

Kelly Inn closed in February. The hotel originated as the Town House Motor Inn in 1970. The building is demolished in January 2020.

Staples announced the closure of its Bismarck store on February 22. The store opened in 1999. Natural Grocers occupies the recently shuttered Staples building not long after.

Payless ShoeSource announced nationwide liquidation, including its store at Kirkwood Mall. The discount shoe store’s first local location was at 412 E Bowen Avenue. It first opened at Kirkwood in 1986, and also once had a location at Gateway Mall.

White House Cafeteria closed after 51 years. The cafeteria was located inside White Drug in the Parkade.

It was the end of an era when Video Action closed December 31. It is the last surviving local video rental store. The store was once part of a chain, with stores in Steele, Fargo, Wahpeton, and a second Bismarck location at 1033 S Washington. It built its second Bismarck store at 819 E Century in 1996, while also continuing its Washington Street location for some time after.

2020

While official 2020 Census data has not been released, it is estimated that Bismarck-Mandan population has exceeded 130,000 residents – growing by more than 15% over the past decade, which is the largest percentage growth since the 1970s.

The global COVID-19 pandemic escalated in March, with the North Dakota Department of Health confirmed the first COVID-related death on March 27. As of mid-June 2021, more than 100,000 cases have been confirmed in North Dakota with 1,520 deaths attributed to the virus. Even through the coronavirus pandemic, employment and the economy remain strong.

Diesel cleanup complete

36 years after its initial discovery, Mandan declared the completion of a massive diesel spill cleanup beneath its downtown. The spill -discovered in 1984 – was estimated to be upwards of 1.16 million gallons. It was traced to a diesel fueling depot that operated in the Mandan railyard between 1950 and 1979.

Kmart closes

Unsurprising to most, Kmart closed in February as the company continued years-long winding down across the nation. Its sibling, Sears, closed at Gateway Mall the year prior. Kmart’s local legacy cannot be underestimated. Opened in 1971, it was the city’s second discount department store, after Northbrook’s much smaller Tempo opened in 1963. Kmart provided the initial impetus for commercial development along the State Street Corridor… predating Gateway Mall by eight years and nearly every other business along the corridor. As of 2021, the building remains vacant.

Gordmans closes amidst nationwide liquidation. Gordman’s was an original anchor at Hay Creek Shops in 2015.

Pier 1 Imports closed its Bismarck store after nearly 28 years. The retailer opened the store in October 1992 as part of the Washington Street business boom. Previously, a Pier 1 “Associate Store” operated at 112 N 5th Street between roughly 1976-1978. The former Pier 1 store was demolished in April 2023 for a new Starbucks location.

AMC shutters its movie theater at Gateway Mall. Midcontinent Theaters established the theater in 1985. It was originally 3 screens, expanding to 8 screens in 1994 – then the city’s largest.

Other 2020 highlights:

  • Demolition of the former Kelly Inn commences. It closed in February 2019.
  • The historic Patterson Hotel building undergoes major renovation, estimated to cost more than $7 million.
  • Cash Wise completes more renovations to its south Bismarck store.

2021

Kupper Chevrolet and Kupper Subaru became Kramer. The dealerships were branded Ressler until Bob Kupper purchased them in 2011. Previously, the Chevrolet dealership was known as Bob Chase Chevrolet and Ivan Gandrud Chevrolet.

Construction commenced on a mixed-use retail-residential building on the northwest corner of Main & 7th. The site was razed as part of urban renewal during the 1970s, vacant ever since despite more than one failed attempt to redevelop the property.

Kirkwood Mall broke ground in June for three restaurants in the outlot near the former Herberger’s: Chick-fil-A, Blaze Pizza, and the city’s second Five Guys.

In 2022, Bismarck expects to complete two new elementary schools. The first school broke ground in fall 2020 with the second in May 2021. Names were announced as Elk Ridge and Silver Ranch on May 25, 2021.

2022

Record April Blizzard

A record-breaking, multi-day blizzard commenced April 12th that affected most of North Dakota. The historic snowstorm dumped upwards of three feet of snow in some areas, namely Minot, with winds exceeding 60 MPH. Resulting drifts were as tall as eight feet. It shut down highways, businesses, and schools for days.

Snowfall exceeded the historic April 1997 Blizzard, coincidentally commemorating its 25th Anniversary the week prior, by 7:00 a.m. on April 14th. By the time snow tapered off that evening, Bismarck officially recorded 18.1 inches of snowfall, breaking the previous April storm record set during April 13-15, 2013. Another snow system passed through on April 17th that added 2.5 inches of snow, pushing the monthly snow total to a new record for April at 21.9 inches, beating April 2013.

Mirroring the 1997 Blizzard, Bismarck recorded a high temperature exceeding 60 degrees only three days prior to the storm, on April 9th. The two events starkly contrasted seasonally, however. The 1997 Blizzard pushed Bismarck to an all-time seasonal snowfall record that still stands (as of 2022). On the other hand, the 2021-2022 winter season was historically minor ahead of the storm. While seasonal snowfall ahead of the storm had increased from the preceding season, which was the 7th-lowest on record at the time, it was still almost twenty inches behind average before the historic storm.

 

 

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