2000-2009: Reinventing Bismarck

If the 1970s was the decade that left behind the greatest impact, the 2000s was a close second.

By the new millennium, the Bismarck-Mandan metropolitan area had grown to more than 100,000 citizens. Population growth of the 2000s was comparative to the 1990s, but building activity is the strongest in thirty years. Pinehurst Square is the single-largest private development since Kirkwood Plaza opened in 1971. Development in south Bismarck slows while exploding north. Commercial construction is almost entirely isolated to Pinehurst Square, the State Street corridor, and along Expressway near 26th Street.

Economic conditions were strong as the state benefited from a second oil boom even bigger than the first as the result of fracturing – or fracking – in the Bakken. North Dakota eventually rises to become the second-highest oil producing state in the nation while exceeding a $1 billion budget surplus. Bismarck-Mandan largely bucks the national economic crisis of 2007-2008. The capital does see a slight uptick in unemployment about that time to a high of 5.2% in February 2010, but the decade as a whole averages about 3.1% – far below the national average.

National retail swells at an unprecedented pace with the largest ever expansion of so-called big box store openings. Unlike Kirkwood and Gateway shopping centers, whose original anchors already had a local presence barring the exceptions of Herberger’s and Target, Pinehurst Square mostly attracted market newcomers: Best Buy, Lowe’s, Kohl’s, and a multitude of other big name brands. Two Walmart Supercenters, Sam’s Club, Hobby Lobby, and Home Depot (closed in 2008) open while both Target and Scheels relocate into bigger spaces at Kirkwood Mall. CVS/pharmacy acquires Osco Drug and soon after relocates into freestanding stores.

National restaurants increased their presence as well with such additions as Green Mill, Hooters, Ruby Tuesday, Olive Garden, Johnny Carino’s, Texas Roadhouse, and Golden Coral.

Northbrook Mall completed its transition into a professional center even though it still houses some mall-like tenants. Arrowhead witnessed very little turnover outside of Ben Franklin Crafts in 2007, which is filled by neighboring Plaza Drug. Kirkwood fills its anchor left vacant since Montgomery Ward’s closure in 1998 with I. Keating Furniture and doesn’t miss a beat from Marshall Field’s closure. Despite renovation and briefly achieving 100% occupancy, Gateway Mall sees some turbulence through the decade.

Opening toward the start of the decade, Horizon Middle School is the only new public schoolhouse completed in the 2000s, replacing Hughes. Sunrise Elementary does begin construction, but doesn’t finish until 2010. Richholt Elementary is repurposed for the Bismarck Early Childhood Education Program (BECEP) while Riverside narrowly delayed a similar fate. Simle Middle School completed a $3 million renovation that modernized its original 1960s section and better blended it with the 1990s addition.

Bismarck State College completed several new buildings: Leach Music Center in 2001, and both Lidstrom Hall and the National Energy Center of Excellence in 2008. The college also opened a Mandan campus in 2007 and broke ground on the Aquatic and Wellness Center, which completes in 2010.

Severe weather remained problematic, beginning with a string of tornadoes in November 2000. Perhaps the most damaging summer storm of all struck Bismarck-Mandan in the form of the June 2001 hailstorm, which caused millions of dollars in damage that remained evident years later. More insurance claims were filed as a result of the storm than even the Grand Forks Red River Flood of 1997. The winter season of 2008-2009 was among the worst on record. It ended with the second-highest snowfall total, barely behind the 1996-1997 season. December 2008 received more snow in any given month with 33.3 inches – almost matching the season average. One month later, the mercury dropped to the coldest recorded temperature in 59 years. Area flooding was witnessed in 2009, but lesser than what will be witnessed two years later in 2011.

Bismarck debuted its first public busing system – the CAT. A modern four-lane Liberty Memorial Bridge replaced the historic trestle bridge, which is imploded soon after. Major roadwork includes Washington Street through the Cathedral District, an overpass on Century Avenue across Hay Creek and the railroad, and Mandan’s Collins Avenue.

2000

Bismarck-Mandan was riding high as it entered the 2000s. Unemployment was at or near an all-time low. The city was growing, construction was strong, and employment diversified. Despite this, property values tanked that year. It would only be a temporary decline, however, as property valuations soon grow to record paces – achieving the highest growth in the nation in 2007.

A string of tornadoes touched down on November 1. It was the latest recorded tornadoes ever in North Dakota; the previous record being that of October 11, 1979 in Sargent County. At least three twisters were confirmed in northern Bismarck with even more reported in the surrounding communities. At least 42 homes confirmed damage – three so severe they were deemed inhabitable, businesses and even Century High School too.

Menards relocated from Gateway Mall, where it had occupied since 1987. Menards first announced plans for a new freestanding store along U.S. Highway 83 in 1998. As originally reported, the planned 165,000-square-foot store would be Bismarck’s single-largest largest retail store. Construction commenced in May 1999. It is expanded several times since, including 2006 and 2015.

The historic building at 510 E Broadway Avenue that formerly housed Sioux Sporting Goods, and originally served as an Annex to the Patterson Hotel, was torn down to become parking. The former Covered Wagon Bar was also demolished.

Papa John’s bought and converted the three local Little Caesars franchises at Northbrook Mall, a strip mall west of Walmart, and a Mandan location next to Barlow’s. Today, the sole surviving Papa John’s is located at Northbrook Mall. Little Caesars would return to Bismarck in 2008.

TGI Friday’s opened near the southwest corner of Expressway Avenue and Washington Street. Its opening drew traffic concerns for the intersection. It closes in 2013.

Taco Bell relocated to the new Menards outlot. It was previously located further south on State Street on the site now occupied by Starbucks.

Mini Mart closed locations at 1910 E Capitol and 1035 S Washington – the first in a string that spans until 2002.

2001

The first new schoolhouse completed since 1989, Horizon Middle School replaced Hughes Middle School when classes began in January. Horizon was the first school in Bismarck specifically designed to accommodate the middle school format, even though Wachter Middle School was first to use the format in 1991, followed by Simle and Hughes.

2001 hailstorm

The June 9th hailstorm caused an estimated $200 million dollars worth of widespread damage to buildings, vehicles, structures, crops, and even harming livestock. At 60,000 claims, there were more insurance claims filed and more insurance dispersed than from any other natural disaster in North Dakota history, even surpassing the Grand Forks Flood of 1997. Visible evidence of the storm remained for years.

The storm recorded hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter (baseball size), 1.85 inches of rain, and wind up to 50 MPH.

Weather was sunny and calm ahead of the storm. The sunny skies quickly turned dark as the storm rushed towards the city, first striking around 5:40 p.m. Over the span of several hours, Bismarck was hit by three waves, each delivering a wallop of hail, wind, and rain.

Immediately following the storm, the hail-filled ground resembled snow from the inches of ice balls littering the area. The only sign of green was from leaves and branches taken out from the hail. Hail clogged the sewer drains, leaving the torrential rains with nowhere to drain. Streets flooded, including the Seventh and Ninth Street underpasses.

The disaster, compounded with the 1997 Red River Flood, cast serious doubt from insurance companies. By the end of the year, about ten companies discontinued offering policies in the state since the hail storm. Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman began a traveling sales pitch to convince providers to conduct business in North Dakota, but admitted that one more natural disaster would be a hinderance.

Plaza 3 closes, Grand Theater becomes grander

Kirkwood’s movie theater, Plaza 3, closed. It was original to the mall, but was relocated and expanded during the 1980 addition. Midcontinent Theater owned and operated it, as it did Gateway’s Midco 8.

That same year, competitor Grand Theater completed a major remodel and 16,000-square-foot addition, doubling in size and increasing capacity to 10 screens – surpassing Gateway’s theater to be the largest. Each of the new theaters featured a wall-to-wall curved screen and stadium seating. The main entrance was relocated, opening into a larger lobby and adjoining concession area. An Egyptian-theme décor debuts.

One year later, the theater’s former lobby was transitioned into an additional theater. Three years later, in 2005, four more screens were added to a new capacity of 15. Grand added seven screens in 2012, bringing its capacity to 22.

Raging Rivers Waterpark

Raging Rivers Waterpark opened just south of the eastern edge of The Strip. The waterpark boasts waterslides and a lazy river, along with an adjacent miniature golf course. Originally a private venture, the City of Mandan acquired the facility for $2.25 million in 2009 and converted it into a new Mandan Community Center.

Planet Video fire

Fire consumed the Planet Video (formerly Hollywood Nights Video) building at Bowen Avenue and Third Street. The fire was deemed to have been caused by electrical wiring of its sign. The building originally housed The Pepper Mill, then David’s Fine Foods. Planet Video re-opened in a new building for a short time before getting replaced by America’s Mattress. Today it’s home to Plains Commerce Bank.

Other 2001 highlights:

• Big Lots occupies the eastern half of the former Best Products showroom, which closed in 1997.
• Chip’s Casino opens at 1014 S 12th Street.
• Bismarck debuts “automated” garbage pickup using dedicated collection containers.
• Front Street Lighting opens.
• Leach Music Center opens at Bismarck State College
• Missouri Valley YMCA adds a $1.5 million two-story childcare center to its south.
• Hodge Podge relocates into the former UBC Thunderbird Home Improvement, necessitated for Grand Theater’s expansion.
• Houlihan’s closes. The restaurant opened in February 1996. It is soon replaced by Green Mill, which also later shutters. Today, the site is home to Bremer Bank.

2002

Local employment was boosted in 2002 when Coventry Healthcare established a Bismarck office. It was expected to employ 400. Aetna merged with Coventry Healthcare in 2012 and combined its two Bismarck offices sometime after.

Hughes repurposed

With Horizon Middle School replacing Hughes the previous year, South Central High School and district administration occupied the building, which becomes known as the Hughes Education Center. South Central was established in 1983 at 222 W Bowen Avenue. It again relocates in 2013, this time occupying the former Riverside Elementary.

Schultz Creamery closes

Schultz Creamery closed after nearly 70 years. The company temporarily re-opens in 2005.

The company was founded in 1934 (some sources say 1933, others 1935) by Enoch Schultz. It was taken over by his son, John, in 1967, who operated the company until selling to Fargo native Jim Odney in 1997. Odney introduced the Deja Moo line of products in 2000, which became the company’s principle brand henceforth.

Medical Mall occupies Gateway

The PrimeCare Medical Mall occupied 30,000 square feet of the former Menard’s space at Gateway Mall. The space originally housed White Mart – the department store division of today’s Thrifty White Drug.

Cold Stone Creamery replaces Premiere Video

Premiere Video – located on the northeast corner of Washington Street and Expressway – closed. It is replaced by Cold Stone Creamery. Premiere Video first opened in 1992. Other Premiere Videos continue operating in North Dakota with the Fargo stores not closing until December 2017.

Other 2002 highlights:

• North Dakota drops social security numbers from its driver’s licenses
• Ressler Subaru opens (later Kupper, now Kramer).
• Fortune Cookie opens inside a former record store at Kirkwood Mall.
• The Drumstick Cafe closes.
• Deadly West Nile Virus sweeps through the state, killing two people
• Friendly True Value store closes a second time at 805 S 7th. The store previously closed in 1998 for 25 days. It re-opens as Mustang Hardware (affiliating with Do it Best Hardware) until October of that year, when it changes back to True Value under new ownership. It closes a final time in 2006.
• Mustang Hardware opens a store at Arrowhead Plaza.
• Mini Mart closes at 1320 E Boulevard Ave and at East Interstate Avenue
• StrideRite closes at Northbrook Mall after 15 years when its owners decide to retire. Bismarck was the smallest market to house a StrideRite at the time. In fact, the company was initially reluctant to grant a local franchise due to Bismarck’s market size.
• New York Bagels opens at 505 E Bismarck Expressway
• Green Mill opens inside the former Houlihan’s at 710 S Washington (October). It closes in 2007. Today, the site is home to Bremer Bank.
• Radisson Inn becomes Ramkota, and Holiday Inn becomes Radisson
• International House of Pancakes announces intentions to open next to the north Applebee’s, but these plans never come to fruition.

2003

Certainly, the War in Iraq was a top story across the nation, but also hit home when the North Dakota National Guard was called up to serve.

For the second year in a row, the deadly West Nile Virus – spread by mosquitos – swept through the state, killing two North Dakota residents in 2002 and four in 2003.

Two elementary school faced closure. While Riverside delays closure for another decade, Richholt Elementary is repurposed to house the Bismarck Early Childhood Education Program (BECEP).

Furniture Plaza closes

Mandan’s Furniture Plaza closed January 1st. Patrick Schleicher Jr. established the store in 1981 as Furniture First for just $5,000. In 2001, the store re-branded to Furniture Plaza. It then encompassed four historic buildings (built in the 1890s) and was positioned as a furniture mall, similar to the Furniture Row concept, housing four distinct sub-stores: Classic Oak, Sleep Center, Leather Collection, and Rooms For You.

In 2005, the City of Mandan purchased the Furniture Plaza buildings for $289,000 as part of a decades-long diesel spill cleanup effort. The building was located near the thickest part of the contamination and deemed unsalvageable. The site is now Mandan Place Apartments.

I. Keating Furniture occupies Kirkwood Mall

Minot-based I. Keating Furniture World occupied the long-vacant former Montgomery Ward anchor at Kirkwood Mall, empty since 1999. It ends the longest anchor vacancy for Kirkwood.

Public busing: “CAT”

That October, the Bismarck City Commission approved a fixed-route public busing system, known as Capital Area Transit (“CAT”), with service beginning in May 2004.

State Street reconstruction

A two-year $17.6 million reconstruction project finished on State Street between Boulevard Avenue and 43rd Avenue. It was the street’s most significant improvement since expanding to 6 lanes in 1979. As part of U.S. Highway 83 North of Interstate 94, the project was 80% federally funded.

While the project didn’t add additional lanes, improvements included intersection upgrades, updating the I-94 interchange, utility work, and improvements to the curbs and gutters. Left turning from access points to Gateway Mall and Kmart were also eliminated, while new traffic signals debuted at the Menards entrance and Calgary Avenue. The interchange at Boulevard Avenue also saw improvement.

The project restricted traffic to two lanes and even completely shut down State Street at times. As a consequence, the nearest north-south arterials, 19th and 4th Streets, witnessed traffic volumes greatly increase. New traffic signals debuted at 19th Street and Capitol and at 4th Street and Interstate Avenue. The signals were initially intend to be temporary, but later made permanent with the shifted traffic pattern.

At the time, State Street average about 22,750 vehicles per day. Today, there are portions nearly double that volume.

Road upgrades: South 3rd & University Drive

Another big road improvement project that year was upgrading South 3rd Street between Arbor and Front Avenues, and University Drive between 12 Street and 48th Avenue South into a 5-lane road with a shared center turn lane.

Former Corwin-Churchill Motors fire

Fire destroyed Corwin Churchill Motors’ former downtown location on the northwest corner of Main Avenue and 2nd Street that November. A seemingly connected apartment fire that occurred about the same time at 208 E Bowen Avenue, which left a 3-month-old boy in critical condition, was ruled as arson. While ruled as suspicious, the Corwin-Churchill building fire is never “unequivocally” proven to be arson.

Samuel Wickham Corwin opened his dealership there in 1914. It vacated not long after opening its dealership on Memorial Highway in 1998. Today, Kirkwood Bank & Trust occupies the site.

Other 2003 highlights:

• Dan’s Supervalu relocates its north/Gateway store (March)
• Bismarck’s largest public graduating class consists of 826 students – a record that holds for several years.
• Aakers College (later Rasmussen College) opens satellite campus in Bismarck (closed in 2015)
• Play It Again Sports relocates into a two-story freestanding building at 100 W Front Avenue, adjacent to Up Front Plaza – the retailer’s previous home.
• A&W/Long John Silver’s opens a second Bismarck location, at 3120 N 14th Street (on State Street). It closes in May 2006, citing staffing difficulties. It becomes Wendy’s in 2007.
• NASCAR-themed McDonald’s opens near Stamart Oasis Truck Stop.
• Shiloh Christian School adds new building to its south.
• Two former Mini Marts re-open as Best Stop at 1101 E Interstate Avenue and 1320 E Boulevard. The first closes again in 2008, the other in 2013.
• Front Street Lighting expands.
• The Century Center, largely housing the state’s Workforce Safety and Insurance, opens.
• Speed limits raised to 75 MPH on the interstates, 70 MPH on other four-lane highways, and 65 MPH on two-lane highways.
• Boneshaker Coffee opens on East Rosser
• Stringbean Music and Coffee opens on Main Avenue.
• Two former Mini Marts, on Boulevard Avenue and State Street, re-open under new ownership as Best Stop C Store.
• Urban Girl opens in Mandan. It later relocates into the Mason Building in downtown Bismarck, then again next to Century High School before closing.
• Highway 83 Diner closes at 1307 Interchange Avenue in December. It is consumed by fire in November 2005. The restaurant originated as a Country Kitchen in about 1973 and also housed Cary’s Kitchen during the 1980s-1990s. Today, the site is home to O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Kirkwood Mall

• Fanny Farmer closes at Kirkwood as part of the parent company’s nationwide discontinuation.
• McDonald’s closes and is replaced by a Scheels bike shop.
• Journeys, Limited Too, Wet Seal, Aeropostale, Fortunate Cookie, and Kay Jewelers all open.

2004

Commercial building permits issued totaled $28.6 million – more than double the previous year. Of course, this is fueled by Pinehurst Square and the big box boom that commenced that year and peaked in 2005. For the third consecutive year, Mandan

Pinehurst Square

Pinehurst Square was announced as a 51-acre, 520,000-square-foot power mall in April 2004. Kohl’s and Lowe’s were the first anchors attached to the project. Other major tenants, including Best Buy and Petsmart, weren’t announced until 2005. Restaurants Texas Roadhouse, Johnny Carino’s, and a Taco John’s/Good Times Burgers hybrid also join. The neighboring McDonald’s and gas station were unrelated and already operating.

Ground was broken in the summer of 2004 with the first stores opening in the fall of 2005 and a grand opening in 2006. In anticipation, new traffic signals were implemented at the intersection of Tyler Parkway and Burnt Boat Drive in August 2004.

Pinehurst Square was the single-largest private development since Kirkwood Mall’s opening in 1971. Unlike Kirkwood, where three of its five originating anchors previously had downtown locations, all of Pinehurst’s tenants were market newcomers with the exception of T.J. Maxx.

Conlin’s Furniture occupies Gateway anchor

Whether coincide or motivated by I. Keating’s move into Kirkwood Mall two years earlier, Conlin’s Furniture opened a store inside the center anchor space at Gateway Mall that year. At first, it was a clearance outlet supplementing the company’s downtown primary store. In 2006, Conlin’s consolidated operations to Gateway Mall. It remains there until 2009.

Zimmerman’s Furniture replaced the downtown location in April 2006.

Other 2004 highlights:

• North Dakota approves a state lottery, with ticket sales beginning March 25
• DiDonna’s Restaurant opens (December)
• Capitol Lanes closes after 23 years.
• MDU relocates its corporate headquarters from downtown.
• IHOP purchases land off State Street between A&W/Long John Silver’s and Applebee’s, but fails to secure a franchisee to open a restaurant. The site later houses Hooter’s and, as of 2018, Sickie’s Garage.
• K-B Toys closes 377 stores, including the one at Kirkwood.

2005: Big Box Boom

While the total quantity of building permits declined from the 2004 peak, valuations for new building permits issued in Burleigh County exceeded $200 million for the first time in 2005 – to $209 million, with $154 million of that in Bismarck city limits. Bismarck’s taxable sales exceed $1 billion for the first time in history, increasing 10.3% from the previous year – the largest in the state of the four core cities.

2005 was the apex of a big box boom with the city’s largest expansion of national retail ever. Starting out the year, Hobby Lobby opened inside the former Gateway Dan’s Supermarket on February 7th. Later that year, the first stores opened at Pinehurst Square, along with Home Depot (closed in 2008), Family Dollar, two Walmart Supercenters, and a Sam’s Club.

Despite this massive national boom, Marshall Fields shuttered its Kirkwood Mall store. The store and land were owned by Target Corporation, dating back to when Dayton’s opened there in 1985. It was torn down and replaced with Target the next  year – whose previous space at Kirkwood was then occupied by Scheel’s. It is the only Kirkwood anchor space not owned by the mall itself.

Palace Arms Hotel closure

The former Holiday Inn at the entrance to the Liberty Memorial Bridge was demolished that year to make way for the new Bank of North Dakota headquarters, which relocated from its long-time downtown home on the northeast corner of Main Avenue and 7th Street. The new Bank of North Dakota headquarters opened in 2008 and its historic downtown building that formerly housed Missouri Valley Motors began demolition that December.

The hotel was known as the Palace Arms Hotel when it shuttered on December 7, 2001 when MDU discontinued service for non-payment. What was once a nationally-renowned hotel had become a haven for criminals, transients, and illegal juvenile parties. During its last year of operation, alone, police received more than 200 calls to the property.

Other 2005 highlights:

• Golden Dragon closes at 410 E Main Avenue. The restaurant opened in 1977 and expanded into the adjacent building in 1983. Its original building formerly housed the long-time clothier Dahl, along with Weeda’s. Blarney Stone occupied it in 2009.
• Arby’s relocates its Kirkwood Mall location from its original space near Herberger’s (Bath & Body Works as of 2018) to the former Maxwell Books space adjacent to J.C. Penney. It closes in 2015.
• Grand Theater adds four screens to a new capacity of 15.
• Former Highway 83 Diner at 1307 Interchange Avenue building destroyed by fire (November). It closed in 2003. The restaurant originated as a Country Kitchen in about 1973 and also housed Cary’s Kitchen during the 1980s-1990s. Today, the site is home to O’Reilly Auto Parts.
• Plato’s Closet opens at Up Front Plaza.
• Once Upon a Child opens.
• Los Amigos closes and the building is demolished to make way for a new CVS/pharmacy. The building previously housed Jade Garden and Mr. Steak.

2006: Second Oil Boom

Almost twenty years after North Dakota’s first oil boom went bust, the state’s second oil boom commenced in 2006 with fracking activity in the Bakken Shale Formation. The boom peaks in about 2011-2012, but never completely bursts as it had before. The boom eventually propels North Dakota into the second-highest oil producing state and resulted in a budget surplus exceeding $1 billion by 2009 as the rest of the nation faltered from economic recession. At the same time, unemployment is the lowest in the nation while home values also spike. As the largest close city to the oil boom, Bismarck benefited greatly, but the situation is even more exhilarating for Williston – located about two hundred miles to Bismarck’s northwest. The oil boom even inspired the short-lived primetime ABC series Blood & Oil, which aired in 2015.

Bismarck home values surged 12 percent – a figure that will be beaten the following year. More than $179 million in new building permits were issued in 2006 compared to $154 million in 2005. Total building permits approved Residential activity increased by $5 million to $38 million. Commercial activity surprisingly increased as well, to $18.3 million from 2005’s $4.3 million. It should be noted that Pinehurst Square’s permits were approved in 2004.

Friendly True Value closes for good

Friendly True Value at 805 S 7th closes a third and final time in September. The store previously closed in 1998 (for 25 days) and in 2002.

The 31,000-square-foot Bismarck store opened in July 1990 – the state’s fourth owned by Dallas-based Mustang, Inc., an oil exploration company.

Friendly True Value’s first closure spanned between June 6th and July 1st, 1998. All seven of its North Dakota stores closed abruptly, without advanced warning even to store managers, stunning citizens. Merchandise remained displayed onside the store into the next day.

TruServe, the cooperative and distributor behind the national True Value brand, immediately sought to re-open the stores, citing strong performances. Mustang, Inc. re-opened the stores on July 1st.

The second closure, also short-lived, came in 2002. It re-opened under a new banner in February, Mustang Hardware, and new affiliation with Do it Best Hardware. A second store also opened, in March, at Arrowhead Plaza. By October, both stores reverted to True Value under new ownership.

After its final 2006 closure, the building was divided up, replaced by Kirkwood Ace Hardware on the east and Party America on the west.

Other 2006 highlights:

• Eckroth Music relocates into new building, Eckroth Plaza
• A&W/Long John Silver’s closes its location at 3120 N 14th Street (State Street) in May, citing staffing difficulties. It becomes Wendy’s in 2007.
• Miracle Mart (formerly Econofoods) sells to Grand Central, in turn becoming Central Market
• Johnny Carinos opens (December)

2007

As the rest of the country suffered from the start of a housing and mortgage crisis that caused values to plummet, Bismarck’s home values surged. In November, it was reported that Bismarck home values were up 15% compared to the previous year – the highest in the nation. The spiking home valuations continued as the second oil boom progressed, peaking in about 2012 along with the oil boom peak. Home values peaked again in 2016 and 2021.

Building activity slowed slightly from 2006 for both residential and commercial as the commercial boom that began in 2005 tapered off.

8,962 participants broke the world record for the most snow angels made in a single place on the grounds of the state capitol.

$72.9 million road improvements: Century Avenue, Collins Avenue, and Washington Street

2007 was a big year for road projects, totaling $72.9 million.

For Mandan, the big project was the $4.2 million restructuring of Collins Avenue from Main Street to Interstate 94.

Widening of Century Avenue continued, this time between Iowa Lane and Hamilton Street. Opening for traffic that November, the $11.75 million projected included an overpass across Hay Creek and the railroad tracks, in addition to a 10-foot wide walking trail. Doing so eliminated a steep hill that dipped down to the tracks and was necessary to widening efforts to Centennial Avenue, which completes in 2011.

Less expensive yet arguably more significant was the $2.1 million Washington Street project between Rosser Avenue and Avenue D, through the historic Cathedral District. The street is widened by ten feet to allow for a shared center turn lane. A traffic signal replaced the four-way stop at Avenue C.

It was the culmination of more than fifty years to to widen that stretch of Washington Street and it was not without criticism as a flood of Letters to the Editor appeared in the Bismarck Tribune.

Proponents supported improving traffic flow along one of Bismarck’s busiest arterials. At the time, about 15,000 vehicles per day traversed that part of Washington Street and future estimates compared it to Expressway traffic of about 25,000 vehicles per day, which was a five-lane roadway through most of its run. Some argued it wasn’t enough.

Opponents, primarily residents living along the corridor, voiced concerns about the effect on the historic neighborhood; it’s appearance and livability. It would divide the neighborhood into two. More importantly, widening the street further would reduce even eliminate residence boulevards, decrease parking, reduce access, cut down historic trees, and quite likely directly increase traffic even further.

After a series of town halls, debate, and research, the City Commission approved the project in June 2006. The final result was a comprise, of sort, and if a compromise means that neither side is happy with the outcome, this certainly qualified. Instead of the five-lane configuration traffic estimates propounded, the city proceeded with widening to three lanes with decorative paving and columns beatifying the district. Doing so forfeited federal funding because it no longer met minimum requirements.

Civic Square

After years of decay, that historic Bismarck Grocery Warehouse – located at 521 E Main Avenue – underwent major renovation to become Civic Square – a professional building.

The building was built in 1910 to house a grocery distribution warehouse. In 1976, a “mini mall” was added to the second floor called Village Square. The Square dissolved within 18 months. Some may remember it as housing GP Warehouse and Emporium and its successors… GP Disco and Front Page Tavern (1979-1987). It temporarily housed Sports Page Tavern in 1979.

The building and site were purchased by Mort Bank to construct the McDonald’s Rock N’ Roll Cafe next door in 1992. His original intent was to demolish the former warehouse.

Ben Franklin closes

Arrowhead Plaza lost a major long-time tenant when the Ben Franklin store closed. The Bismarck franchise opened in 1974 as one of the company’s variety stores before transitioning into a craft store. The store was located in the original Dan’s location at the mall, who relocated in 1960. Plaza Drug has since expanded into the former Ben Franklin space.

Wilhelm Buick-Olds-Cadillac closes

Wilhelm Buick-Olds-Cadillac closed that year – a victim of GM’s reorganization efforts during the national recession when it was announced the previous November that GM was transferring the Buick and Cadillac franchise rights to Schwan GM Auto Center. This came just two years following the phase-out of Oldsmobile, of which Wilhelm also dealt. Wilhelm continued as a Mazda dealership for a short time after losing its position as a GM dealership, before forever closing.

The site that housed the Wilhelm dealership had originally housed Fleck Motors, which was located at the site for more than 40 years. The Fleck Motor building is still standing, built in 1952 to replace its original building destroyed by fire.

The building that housed most of Wilhelm’s operations was torn down in July 2009. Today, it is home to Broadway Centre.

Other 2007 highlights:

• Furniture Row opens (January)
• Green Mill closes its Bismarck location. Green Mill replaced Houlihan’s in 2001, breaking company sales records upon opening.
• International “Stir Fry” Restaurant closes at 2240 N 12th on May 28, 2007. The location originated as a Village Inn before becoming International Restaurant in 1986. Today, the site houses La Quinta Inn & Suites.
• Ruby Tuesday opens
• Golden Corral opens (May; closed in 2016)
• Wendy’s replaces the former A&W/Long John Silver’s, which operated at 3120 N 14th Street between 2003-2006.
• Scheels Sporting Goods relocates into the adjacent former Target location at Kirkwood Mall, after Target relocated its store in 2006.
• Kirkwood Ace Hardware relocates from 421 S 3rd Street to 805 S 7th, replacing True Value. Ace occupies its eastern portion. Party America later leases the western portion.
• Bismarck State College Mandan campus opens.
• Cash Wise undergoes minor expansion, including the installation of its Little Dukes Convenience Store
• President Bush nominates former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer as United States Secretary of Agriculture.

2008: Record winter season

The Winter Season of 2008-2009 was noteworthy for many regards. Among other notable records, the culminating season ended in second place for all-time snowfall, behind the 1996-1997 record by a mere 1.4 inches.

The first winter storm began with record-setting rainfall on the evening of November 5th and into the early morning of the 6th. Throughout the day, temperatures dropped, freezing the rain that fell. Snow arrived mid-afternoon, covering the icy roads, and continued to fall until the following day. As a result, Bismarck Public Schools called off classes for the first time since the April 1997 Blizzard. 9.4 inches of snow fell on Bismarck from that single storm. In itself, the storm was hardly note-worthy, but it was the first storm of the mighty winter season.

December proved particularly remarkable. The season’s second major storm arrived December 13th, leaving behind another 12.5 inches amid record low temperatures. By midmonth, it was officially the snowiest December, surpassing the old record of 21.7 inches set in 1916. In the end, Bismarck received snow on 25 of the 31 days that month, ending with 33.3 total inches – the most received in any given month, beating the old record of 31.1 inches set in March 1975. On top of the snowfall records broken, the average temperature for the month was only 6.8 degrees – 8.4 degrees below average.

Jumping ahead to January 15, 2009, Bismarck reached -44 degrees Fahrenheit, the coldest temperature recorded since January 18, 1950 and only one degree warmer than the lowest temperature ever recorded in Bismarck; achieved twice: January 13, 1916 and February 16, 1936. Remarkably, the high temperature recorded on the following day was 80 degrees warmer.

Another major storm arrived March 29th, dumping more than 11 inches in the overnight hours – pushing Bismarck’s all-time season snow total into 2nd place. By the end of the storm, on March 31, a total of 17.1 inches had fallen in Bismarck – the most snow received from a single storm in twelve years. That month tied with 1950 as the snowiest March of all time.

In the end, 100.2 inches fell on Bismarck that season, second only to 1996-1997’s 101.6 inches on top of record-breaking cold temperatures and occasional bouts of rain. An odd season indeed, even for North Dakota.

New Liberty Memorial Bridge opens, former demolished

The New Liberty Memorial Bridge opened in August, upgrading the historic two-lane trestle bridge to a modern four-lane structure. Demolition on the historic 1922-built bridge began immediately thereafter. The first span of the old bridge was imploded on October 6th, followed on October 29th with the remaining.

Despite the historic significance of the original bridge – for decades the only vehicular bridge within hundreds of miles to span the Missouri River – it was deemed more suitable to completely replace it. The original bridge was deemed unsafe in 2003. Repairing the historic bridge carried almost the same price tag as completely replacing it, thus its replacement was approved the following year.

Scotty’s sold, renovates and adds drive-through

For the first time since 1973, Scotty’s Drive-in changed ownership as David and Nancy Turner purchased the vintage drive-in restaurant from the Roehrichs. The Turners completed several renovations, including restoring the original sign, albeit with a slightly altered appearance. They also added a drive-though to its rear in 2008 and temporarily experimented with serving breakfast. They again remodel in 2012 before selling to Kurt Dilger in 2016, who applies his own improvements.

Home Depot closes

Home Depot closed its Bismarck location on June 22nd – almost exactly three years after opening. It is the first and only casualty of the mid-2000s big box boom. It was one of 15 store closures Home Depot announced at that time. Home Depot cited poor performance. Many cited Home Depot’s lackluster success to its proximity to Menards – located directly across the street, who has maintained a Bismarck presence since 1987. Lowe’s, on the other hand, who opened about the same time as Home Depot, chose a location about three miles away.

The former Home Depot sold to a group of local investors in 2010. Since closing, two hotels were built in front of the former Home Depot store, largely blocking it from view.

Other closures: Wilson’s Leather, Best Stop, Los Amigos, Kirkwood Tesoro

While Home Depot was the most prominent closure of 2008, and the only big box closure of the boom that began in 2004, it wasn’t the only big closing of the year.

Wilson’s Leather closed at Kirkwood Mall, along with roughly 100 others during the company’s restructuring efforts. Classic Yard closed after eleven years.

The Best Stop convenience store at 1101 E Interstate Avenue closed following a gas leak that contaminated both the station and neighboring restaurant. The leak was discovered in the fall of 2007, when a nearby restaurant (presumably China Star) discovered gasoline in its sump pump. A leak was located and repaired. The leak was reportedly small and contained. The contaminating spill was allegedly stemming from a prior incident. In either case, the building was demolished to ease in cleanup efforts. The other Best Stop – on Boulevard Avenue – closes in 2013 citing insufficient business. Both locations were formerly Mini Marts.

Los Amigos & Kirkwood Tesoro closed. The buildings are quickly demolished to make room for a new CVS/pharmacy store.

Kirkwood Tesoro was one of Bismarck’s last remaining full service stations (the other being Arrowhead Tesoro). Los Amigos first opened in or around 1993 at 1010 Boundary Road in Mandan. It relocated to Bismarck in 1998 after remodeling the former Jade Garden restaurant, which itself replaced Mr. Steak in 1985.

Hoskins-Meyer closes

One of Bismarck’s oldest businesses, Hoskins-Meyer Floral closed after more than 100 years. R.D. Hoskins founded the business in 1898 with its first greenhouses constructed in 1900. The store was located in the former Tribune Block at the corner of 4th Street and Broadway Avenue for most of its existence, consolidating operations to its greenhouse at 302 E Avenue E in 1997.

Its original greenhouses were rebuilt in 1948 after being destroyed by a hail storm. That same year, the operation was sold to Lillian Henlein and John Wachtler. Wesley Bohrer, who started as a delivery person in 1948, bought out Wachtler’s interest in 1964, then Henlein’s interest in 1974.

Hoskins-Meyer founded KFYR Radio in 1925 and TV in 1953, with the Meyer family continuing ownership until 1998. At one time, Meyer Broadcasting was one of North Dakota’s largest privately-owned enterprises.

Other 2008 highlights:

• Hooters opens (closed in 2014)
• The new Bank of North Dakota facility opens on the site of the former Palace Arms Hotel
• The original Hillside Park Waterslide is demolished due to safety concerns
• Gold’s Gym opens inside former TJMaxx location
• The State Street McDonald’s (McSports Dome) is demolished, to be later replaced with a new, larger McDonald’s
• Lidstrom Hall and National Energy Center of Excellence open at Bismarck State College.
• Missouri Valley YMCA completes 27,000-square-foot expansion to the north an adds 140 parking spots between two lots – an existing and new.
• Cedric Theel relocates its showroom
• Little Caesar’s Pizza returns to Bismarck, 8 years after its former locations were converted into Papa John’s (June)
• Ground is broken on BSC Aquatic and Wellness Center (June)
• The first annual Rip-Roaring Rib Fest is held. The event is held annually through 2014.
• American Bank Center Headquarters at corner of Rosser Avenue & 5th Street completes extensive remodel
• First Lady Laura Bush visits Riverside Elementary (October 2).
• Olive Garden opens after years of anticipation (November 24)
• The former Bank of North Dakota facility undergoes demolition (December)

2009: North Dakota oil moves to #4, Flooding

In its third year of its resurging oil boom, North Dakota surpassed Louisiana to become the fourth-highest oil producing state – producing a record 80 million barrels that year (daily average about 219,000). Within a couple years, North Dakota will become #2.

As the record-breaking snow for the 2008-2009 winter season began to melt, widespread flooding was a growing concern across the state. March witnessed Bismarck’s worst flooding since April 1952; a feat that will be later surpassed in 2011. 1,700 residents were forced to evacuate their homes. The Garrison Dam was built to alleviate flooding, but the record-breaking winter season proved to be too much. To combat flooding, the dam’s waterflow was completely closed off for the first time in its history – something that will be repeated in 2011. It wasn’t enough. Like previous floods, ice jams south of Bismarck were the primary culprit. Specialists were brought in to detonate the large chunks of ice, some of which were larger than a car, in order to continue the river’s flow.

As a result of the flooding, a half-mile stretch of River Road was temporarily closed in June upon discovering that the road and trail had become unstable and begun to sink. This at least partially attributed to the closure of Captain Meriwether’s Landing along the river on September 5th, whose historic building is later destroyed in the 2011 flood.

Gateway Mall renovation, turbulence

Rechristened Gateway Fashion Mall, the regional shopping center completed a multi-million dollar “Hollywood style” renovation, which included a new exterior facade and interior cosmetic upgrades. When first announced, other targeted improvements included relocating the food court to make room for an additional anchor, speculated to be Macy’s; however, this never materialized.

At the time, Gateway’s future looked to be the brightest in many years. After changing ownership three times between 2003-2006, Raymond Arjmand purchased Gateway Mall in 2006 for $13.25 million, which was only 60% occupied at the time. He promised to pump new life into the dying shopping center, and that he did. By November that year, it was reported that Gateway Mall was 100% leased for the first time in many years.

This success was short live and hopes were dashed by the end of 2009 -a year that witnessed four major tenant departures and a lawsuit. CVS/pharmacy was first to vacate, that February into a freestanding store located at State Street and Calgary Avenue. On June 26th, Conlin’s Furniture and Joy’s Hallmark both announced that they were departing. Joy’s Hallmark, who also maintained a location at Kirkwood Mall, had been a tenant at Gateway Mall for over 20 years, and this marked the fourth time that the south anchor was fully vacated. Conlin’s Furniture relocated that December to a remodeled warehouse it owned on the corner of Broadway Avenue & 18th Street (formerly Warehouse Market).

In July, the owner of Joy’s Hallmark filed a lawsuit against Gateway Fashion Mall’s owner, Raymond Arjmand, with allegations of fraud and misuse of money. Not longer after, it was revealed that Arjmand was facing similar lawsuits at two malls he owned in California. The Joy’s Hallmark lawsuit was dismissed in February 2013.

Hansen’s Menswear, another long-time tenant, departed in October 2009 upon relocating to Interstate Avenue.

Jo-Ann Fabric relocated into the former CVS/pharmacy space in March 2012 and Harbor Freight Tools occupied part of the former Conlin’s anchor in 2015.

Sunrise Elementary

Other 2009 highlights:

• Bismarck hits -44^oF, the coldest recorded temperature since January 18, 1950; and only one degree away from tying the lowest temperature ever recorded – the high temperature the following day was 80 degrees warmer. (January 15)
• Bismarck State College unveils new logo, replacing logo in use since 1991 (April)
• Rex TV & Appliance closes its doors. The company was purchased by Appliance Direct, who chose not to convert the Bismarck location. Rex came to Bismarck in 1995, and once had 3 locations in North Dakota. (April)
• A new ride is added at Superslide Amusement Park called The Runaway Train (June)
• Little Caesar’s announces intentions to open a north location, expected to open in October. The national chain made a comeback to the region when it opened a restaurant near Cash Wise Foods in 2009 after a near 10-year absence.
• Subway relocates its South 3rd Street location into the former Sherwin Williams building, also on 3rd street.
• Easter Seals Goodwill Store opens inside the former Kirkwood Hardware Hank/Ace Hardware building at 421 S 3rd Street (October).
• Fowler Photography closes after 30 years (December)

More Chapters

Previous Chapter:

1980-1999: Declining Growth

Next Chapter:

2010-Present: Bismarck Today

Chapter Index

Related Content

More Articles