City of West Fargo receives $100,000 grant to develop placemaking plan

Photo by: City of West Fargo
Photo by: City of West Fargo

(West Fargo, ND) -- The North Dakota Department of Commerce is providing the City of West Fargo a $100,000 grant to develop a placemaking plan for The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne.

Placemaking can include the development of businesses, public spaces, public art, attractions, events and amenities that attract and connect workers, businesses, residents and visitors to a destination.

“The central theme of placemaking is the public shaping the spaces they interact with," said City Commission President and Mayor Bernie Dardis. "This grant is funding an opportunity for community input to strategically shape our downtown so we can continue to build the area into the heart of West Fargo."

With this grant, the City has an opportunity to hire a placemaking consultant with specific experience in downtown planning and placemaking. The project would likely kick-off in spring 2023 and be substantially completed by the fall.

Right now, residents can start contributing placemaking ideas by participating in the community voice board here. There will more be opportunities for resident and stakeholder input in a variety of formats throughout the project.

The City of West Fargo is one of six communities in North Dakota to receive the grant through a partnership between the U.S. Economic Development Association’s Statewide Public Space Initiative and the North Dakota Department of Commerce. It was presented at the 2022 Main Street ND Summit.