Plans for Downtown Moorhead organization underway

 

The Downtown Moorhead project is a collective, collaborative effort to envision and realize a new, 21st century downtown neighborhood for Moorhead.

The Downtown Moorhead project is led by a steering group made up of the presidents of Moorhead’s three colleges/university (Concordia College, M State, and Minnesota State University Moorhead) and several business and civic leaders in the community. The steering group has led the efforts to secure pledges from the Moorhead business community to support an initial three-year startup of a downtown-focused organization in Moorhead. There are currently 28 investors with combined commitments nearing half a million dollars over the next three years. 

The steering group is completing the incorporation process for the Downtown Moorhead organization as a 501(c)(3) with the help of the FM Area Foundation as their fiscal sponsor. A board of directors, selected from the community investors, will oversee the business and activities of the group and will hire and direct the efforts of the downtown director.

Downtown Moorhead Project Steering Group:

  • Anne Blackhurst
  • Bill Craft
  • Bob Buth
  • Dave Anderson
  • Dave Hunstad
  • Jenni Walthall
  • Peggy Kennedy
  • Tim Beaton
  • Tracey Moorhead

Investors:

  • 702 Communications
  • Ace Hardware
  • American Crystal Sugar
  • Bell Bank
  • Concordia College
  • Country Greenery
  • Dave and Linda Anderson
  • Eventide
  • FM Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Forum Communications
  • Gehrtz Construction
  • Greater FM EDC
  • Hornbacher’s
  • Image Group Architecture & Interiors
  • Kovash Marine
  • M State
  • Michael J Burns Architects
  • Minnesota State University Moorhead
  • Moorhead Business Association
  • Moorhead Economic Development Authority
  • Moorhead Public Service
  • RDO Equipment Co.
  • Sanford Health
  • Scheels All Sports
  • The Chamber-Fargo Moorhead West Fargo
  • Wells Fargo Bank
  • Xcel Energy
  • YHR Partners

FAQ’s

What is the Downtown Moorhead Project?

The Downtown Moorhead Project is a collective, collaborative effort to envision and realize a new, 21st century downtown neighborhood for Moorhead, Minnesota.

Who is involved in the project?

After two downtown redevelopment consultants, Dave Feehan and Jack Hopkins, visited the area a steering group was formed to guide the Downtown Moorhead effort. The steering group includes: Anne Blackhurst, MSUM; Bill Craft, Concordia College; Bob Buth, Bell Bank; Dave Anderson, Sanford Health; Dave Hunstad, Moorhead Business Association; Jenni Walthall, MSUM; Peggy Kennedy, M State; Tim Beaton, FM Area Foundation; and Tracey Moorhead, Concordia College.

How will the downtown organization be funded?

The organization will be funded by pledged support from businesses, individuals and public agencies. All have been asked to make a commitment to fund the effort for three consecutive years.

What will the dollars raised be used for? What will be the first steps?

It is very important that an Executive Director be hired to create and manage a framework plan. The vision and scope for a new downtown will be discussed at community meetings, led by the Executive Director, that will identify the vision and set the course for building Moorhead’s new downtown.

Moorhead’s downtown was largely removed decades ago. Where do we go from here?

Moorhead has a number of helpful, positive efforts underway in many parts of the community. The opportunity for the downtown area is in the “clean slate” that the area presents. There is ample room to build the area from the ground up and to incorporate the high bank of the Red River into the plan.

Fargo has NDSU and all that they bring to downtown. Can Moorhead have the same youthful energy?

When Fargo started their downtown effort in the late 90’s, NDSU’s downtown campus had not even been an idea! They moved forward with identified needs, creative financing and the help of key donors. Moorhead’s colleges need only put their collective wills to work on how best to utilize downtown for their campus communities. With all three presidents leading this Downtown Moorhead effort, we begin with a tremendous head start!

What is the organizational structure of the downtown group?

The group is completing the incorporation process as a 501(c)(3) organization with the help of the FM Area Foundation as their fiscal sponsor. A board of directors, selected from the community investors, will oversee the business and activities of the group and will hire and direct the efforts of the Executive Director.