Minot Daily News
M AKING
SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2021
Construction
MinotDailyNews.com • Facebook • Twitter
GOOD
PROGRESS Trinity advances Minot’s largest construction project By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com he hospital and clinic under construction in southwest Minot make up one of the more impressive building projects in the city in some time. A $520 million investment by the time it opens, the Trinity Health medical complex broke ground in the fall of 2018 and construction is expected to finish by the end of 2022. “We’re making good progress,” said Randy Schwan, Trinity vice president of mission integration. “It’s been going very well.” Dave Kohlman, Trinity vice president of facilities, said the major progress over the winter was internal. “The focus right now is still the interior of the building – studding of, framing of walls on the first floor, and starting on the second floor and putting up the steel studs in the walls as well as continuing the progress on the Cen-
T
tral Energy Plant to get that completed or as close to completion as possible to be able to start providing conditioned air for the contractors as they continue to move forward with mechanical aspects of the job,” he said. The Central Energy Plant should be complete by early June to serve the buildings while construction continues. Escalators already have been placed. The main focus has been on the first and second floor of the 594,000-square-foot
hospital because of the more complex design for those critical service areas. However, similar framing work is occurring from the ground up on the connected 196,000square-foot clinic building. The 148-bed hospital will include advanced cardiac, neurosurgical and orthopedic care, state-of-the-art surgical suites, new birthing areas and an expanded emergency /Level II trauma center with 24 treatment bays. Construction workers have been creating mock-up
rooms for an emergency exam room, trauma bay, operating suite, intensive care unit room and a hospital medical/surgery patient room. Staff teams have been reviewing the mock-up rooms as construction progresses to ensure the planned layout for countertops, lights, storage, electrical outlets and other fixtures are where they need to be for the best efficiency. “Those teams can walk through the mock-up rooms during all stages of construction so that they’re fully satis-
F ROM
fied that the finished product that will be throughout the hospital will be adequate,” Schwan said. Kohlman said it is one thing to see the layout on a piece of paper but quite another thing to walk through a room as it is being formed to get a feel for how the space will work. It’s a phased process, he added. Initially, staff stick notes on studded walls to indicate where certain features See TRINITY — Page 2
TOP LEFT: Surgery Director Denise Dahl, far left, and members of her staff offer suggestions to Facilities Vice President Dave Kohlman after viewing a mockup of a surgery suite in this March 19 photo from Trinity Health. MAIN: A feature of the main floor lobby in the new Trinity hospital under construction is an escalator to the second floor. Submitted Photos
BRIDGES TO BEACHES
Construction continues throughout Minot region Jill Schramm/MDN
The new Broadway pump station, shown March 10, has been under construction for two years and is expected to be completed soon.
F LOOD
PROTECTION PROGRESS
More work planned in 2021 By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com Construction on the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project will be making additional progress in 2021, particularly for Burlington and the Tierrecita Vallejo Subdivision. Ryan Ackerman, administrator for the Souris River Joint Board (SRJB), said funding is in place to advance flood protection in Burlington. Construction on levees on the south end of the community began last year and the next phase will start soon. It includes about 3,200 feet of levee, seepage cutoff, utility modifications and river bank and levee erosion protection. Funding also is in place to construct a portion of the Tierrecita Vallejo levee, which will serve as the western tieback for the city of Minot. “We’re just working through some final acquisitions on that to clear the right of way,” Ackerman said last month. Within Minot, completion of a major stormwater pump station is expected soon at the intersection of Broadway and Fourth Avenue Northwest. Efforts to push forward with more construction on the east side of Third Street Northeast, or Phase MI-5, rest on appropriations
coming out of the current legislative session. The goal is to have MI-5 ready to be bid by late fall. Ackerman said the project may be split into multiple phases. Potentially a pump station and ponding area can be built first because the land for those features has been acquired and demolition of the industrial properties has occurred. Flood wall construction would be the next phase, Ackerman said. Residential acquisitions by the city are continuing for that portion of the project. “Additionally, there’ll be some work on the south side of the tracks in the Ben’s Tavern neighborhood to basically remove some of the infrastructure that’s not going to be used anymore after all the acquisitions are complete,” Ackerman said. That area will serve as an open floodplain area that could be beneficial as a public use area, such as a park, he said. “The critical path for those projects is really twofold. One is funding. We need to get the appropriation in the current session, and then number two is the acquisitions. So, as critical masses of acquisitions get completed, then we’ll basically move forward phases of that project to complete the work,” Ackerman said. MI-5 work is expected to continue through 2022 and possibly into 2023. “We should be completing the design of the Maple Diversion within the next year or so,” Ackerman added. “When we get into the next biennium, it’s very likely that our approach will See FLOOD — Page 2
By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com A pandemic and concerns about funding haven’t stopped construction in the Minot region. “For us, construction has been strong,” said Dave Schwengler, Minot office manager for Houston Engineering. “The past year was a good year for construction. That was one of the industries that kept working through the pandemic.” He expects more of the same for 2021. “There’s a lot of big projects out there right now, even some development work starting to pick back up a little bit,” he said. Houston is providing the engineering for the Northwest Area Water Supply project. The State Water Commission this winter awarded the general contractor bid on the biota treatment plant near Max to Stantec of Colorado. The electrical contract went to Main Electric of Minot and the plumbing and heating to Mowbray & Son of Minot. Groundbreaking on the three-year biota plant project is expected to begin this month, according to Tim Freije, NAWS manager with the water commission.
Jill Schramm/MDN
Children move sand last August as adults fill their shovels to toss the first ceremonial ground last October for the construction of the Magic City Discovery Center. Much of the initial work will be dirt work. Crews will be augering holes for placing 474 piles to anchor the future plant. Design work on Snake Creek modifications to provide for water intake should be completed and ready to go to bid this fall, Freije said. In the meantime, the water commission is working on getting U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ permits and completing the design work on a hydraulic control structure and reservoir in the South Prairie area. The last 15 miles of NAWS pipeline are to be completed by fall and will enable the city of Bottineau to begin receiving water from Minot and eventually from the Missouri River/Lake Sakakawea once the other features in the works are completed.
An ongoing $28 million expansion at the Minot Water Treatment Plant is to be completed by summer. Freije said there will be a few smaller projects to create the necessary reservoir and pumping facilities to finish the distribution system. Schwengler said Houston also is working with the City of Minot on water main improvements and finishing the new southwest water tower. He foresees additional development coming to southwest Minot in the years ahead as the hospital project is completed. Already, Bremer Bank is proposing to begin construction on a new building at 1615 36th Ave. SW. Outside of Minot, projects are planned to re-gravel See MINOT — Page 3
Visit us online at www.MinotDailyNews.com
Page 2
Trinity
Continued from Page 1
should go. The next phase occurs after rooms have been sheet-rocked with outlets in place to ensure the room is a good design. The final step is to examine the finished product. “They do all this before they start the process of building 12 ER exam rooms, for example, so they have it right the first time, and then move forward, building up the rest,” Kohlman said. The process of reviewing mock-up rooms was occurring in late March, with finalization expected soon. Some small sections of the building exterior have been sided with the material that will serve as its final skin. Many pallets of the exterior material were delivered to the site for work to begin in earnest this month. Kohlman said the public will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly the exterior of the building will change to a more attractive look. “It will be an eye-catcher. It will turn people’s heads as they drive by because you are going to see some change on the exterior of the build-
Flood
Saturday, April 3, 2021
Minot Daily News • PROGRESS: Construction
Continued from Page 1
be to fund the construction.” That piece of the flood protection project has been federally authorized, but Congress has appropriated no money at this point. There could be some tension between the desire to construct the Maple Diversion at the earliest opportunity and the desire to wait for federal dollars. The federal share would be about $60 million, or more as adjusted annually for inflation. While it is financially sensible to wait, a delay would prevent the completion of the western portion of the project, which would protect 60% of residents in the floodplain, Ackerman said. “It’s a critical piece of the
ing,” he said. Landscaping also will be done this summer, along with more interior work. Around 300 workers have been at the site, and that is expected to increase, to possibly as high as 600 workers. Although construction is expected to be completed by December of 2022, Trinity won’t transition to the medical complex until mid-2023. During the first part of 2023, Trinity will be moving in equipment and conducting testing for quality assurance. Most of the diagnostic and laboratory equipment will be new. “Some of that has to be in place and operating for Jill Schramm/MDN months before it can be used A new mixed-used building known as the McHenry Project takes shape March 10 at the intersecon a patient. It is a very sotion of North Broadway and Fourth Avenue. phisticated type of equipment,” Schwan said. “Also, it’s a busy time out there. We’ll have staff out there doing walk-throughs and scenario engagement,” he said of those last months before opening. “The workflow is going to be different in the new facility than it is here in the old facility. And so, staff will have to get that workflow ironed out to make sure that they have the work plan in place and that is accurate.”
M ORE
EATERIES COMING
Mixed-use building makes use of key intersection
project, and if we want to get the first milestone within Minot completed, to get 60% of people out of harm’s way, we need to complete that piece. So waiting around an indefinite amount of time is definitely not going to be palatable,” he said. He said the SRJB is working with the state’s congressional delegation to ensure the diversion project is a funding priority. An attempt also is being made to enter a Project Partnership Agreement that would allow for work to start on the promise of reimbursement later by the federal government, Ackerman said. However, it is not possible to enter an agreement unless Congress has indicated its intent to fund by appropriating at least a token amount to the project, he said.
By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com A new building going up along Fourth Avenue Northwest on the west side of Broadway will be providing additional dining and retail options in Minot by summer. Jersey Mike’s Subs and Noodles & Company are slated to locate in the building, along with a still to be announced retail establishment. The building is known as the McHenry Project because his parents are natives of nearby McHenry County, said Chad Thompson, who has been part of the family development project. His parents, Myron and Shirley Thompson, hold the franchise on Noodles & Company and he holds the franchise for Jersey Mike’s Subs, both of which are targeted for a mid-June opening. Noodles & Company will be located on the west end of the building, with a
Submitted Photo
A rendering by Craftwell Architecture & Construction shows the design of the mixed-use building being constructed on Fourth Avenue Northwest in Minot. drive-through, while Jersey Mike’s will be on the east side and will have an online order pickup window. Thompson said the Fourth Avenue and Broadway location is ideal for the businesses. Construction started last fall, and although COVID-19 tended to drive construction material costs up in 2020, the project was an investment that the Thompsons didn’t want to wait on. “It’s been an under-utilized corner for a long time,” Thompson said. “We
feel like it’s a great corner of Minot. Visibility-wise, driving northbound, it might be the best location in Minot.” Currently, his family owns seven Noodles & Company restaurants, located in Montana and Nebraska. North Dakota has four of the restaurants owned by other franchise holders – two in Fargo and one in each Bismarck and Grand Forks. Jersey Mike’s has locations in Grand Forks, West Fargo and Fargo, although it is Chad Thompson’s first franchise for the restaurant.
You’re worth it! One woman in eight will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. At Trinity Health, we’re making more possible to ensure more women are survivors. Our 3D mammography screenings are the very latest in detecting cancer earlier while delivering a more comfortable experience. Breast cancer has nowhere to hide with this state-of-the-art technology that gives every woman her best chance for an early and accurate diagnosis.
Schedule your 3D mammogram today. We can get you in quickly and safely for this life-saving screening. Minot
857-2640 Whether you have a family history or not, having a mammogram can save your life—you’re worth it.
trinityhealth.org Visit us online at www.MinotDailyNews.com
Williston
774-0810
C ONSTRUCTION BOOMING AT F ORT B ERTHOLD
Saturday, April 3, 2021
Page 3
Minot Daily News • PROGRESS: Construction
Three communities focus on schools By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com Three schools on the Fort Berthold Reservation have been getting upgrades. White Shield, Mandaree and Twin Buttes have projects either being completed or initiated in 2021. White Shield students began taking classes in their new school about 2-¢ years ago, but there’s still work being done. The latest to be constructed is a sports complex that will replace an old track and field with a modern track and football field, while adding a baseball field, splashpad and hockey rink. White Shield, which hasn’t had a football team since the 1990s, will be organizing a team next fall, said Superintendent Wayne Fox. The new school building replaced a 1952 building that had code issues and no longer met the needs of modern-day education. The new school’s classrooms are equipped with up-to-date technology, and the building houses a gymnasium that is double the size of the previous gym, which often was inadequate to fully accommodate crowds. The new facility has attracted additional students, resulting in a growth in the elementary population, Fox said. Toward the end of 2020, the school completed a new bus barn to replace an older building. The new barn includes three large garage doors, wash facilities, offices and some storage. Funding for the entire project has come from MHA Nation. Fox credited the tribal council, and particularly council member Fred Fox, for the support for investing into the school. “I always have to say we are very grateful for that – for gifting this to the community but especially to the students,” Wayne Fox said. The tribe’s investment hasn’t been limited to the school as construction continues around the school’s neighborhood. A new community center to replace the Ralph Wells Memorial Complex will finish this fall with a movie theater, golf simulators, nutrition store, fitness center, gymnasium, community room and pool with a water park. A new emergency services building is being constructed for use by the fire department, ambulance service and law enforcement. It will include space for vehicles, training rooms and a small jail. The Elders Building recently was completed. In Mandaree, the school should be operating in its new building by
Minot
Continued from Page 1
missile field access roads and advance flood protection in Burlington, said Jeff McElwain, project engineer and partner at Ackerman-Estvold, Minot. Smaller communities also have a few projects, such as a multi-use path to be built in Mohall. “It seems like there’s a pretty decent amount of work out there, and I know that the DOT (North Dakota Department of Transportation) has quite a few design projects out so that will come down the road,” McElwain said. “The more funding the better because all of the infrastructure is falling behind.” Ryan Ackerman, president of Ackerman-Estvold, said there is focus by state and local governments on the problems associated with deferred maintenance. “We spent the last 10 years basically building new to accommodate massive growth. Well, there wasn’t a lot of attention paid to some of the infrastructure that we collectively, as a state, had,” he said. “I think that focus on taking care of the aging infrastructure that we have is a really important focus going
Photos by Jill Schramm/MDN
TOP RIGHT: The White Shield School opened 2-1/2 years ago. Now work has turned to constructing a sports complex. ABOVE; A Community Building will provide recreational and social activities for the White Shield community when completed this fall. early August. Superintendent Tara Thomas said the older section of the existing building is literally falling down. “It’s just super challenging to maintain,” she said. The school was built on a flood plain so when the water table rises, the bottom level of the building floods, she said. The building has mold and the main boiler quit working this winter. The building faces other issues as well, making new construction almost imperative. “We are fortunate that this building project was begun when oil and gas was doing really well,” said Thomas, who noted MHA Nation has been able to fund a good share of the cost from energy revenues. The new school will be a little bigger, mostly because of the desire to create more space for career and technical education, Thomas said. “We are going to try to align with our local economy, to teach real kids real skills,” she said. The new building also will utilize geothermal heating and will integrate the Hidatsa culture into the building design. The Mandaree district still is looking for donations to complete its sports fields. The desire is to create a football field and track. The school currently lacks a track, despite being known for its track and field and cross-country teams, Thomas said. The fate of the existing school building, once replaced, remains unknown. The building is owned by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the newer portion includes two gymnasiums that would have value to the community if kept, Thomas said. In Twin Buttes, the school board is in the initial stages of planning for construction of a new bus barn and playground for the K-8 elementary school. The school board has requested approval through Indian Affairs’ facilities management. Once approved, the school board will be seeking a construction proj-
forward.” The shortage of funds for billions of dollars in water projects also has created a backlog of work in the state. “That really demonstrates – just beyond the flood control or the large regional water systems – that there is a significant need for municipal water systems, rural water systems. Local water resource districts have water resource project needs that they need to address, whether that’s addressing problematic drainage or irrigation,” Ackerman said. The number of regional infrastructure projects was down last year from past levels, largely because of lack of funding, said Kent Indvik, president of Wold Engineering, Minot. “All the counties were hoping for the Prairie Dog Bill for money for infrastructure, and that never transpired,” he said. A significant drop in oil activity and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic left political subdivisions tightening their budgets and scaling back project plans. Even this year, some counties that depend on oil revenue to help with road projects are holding off on some plans, said Indvik, whose company works in about 16 counties.
ect manager and developing the design specifications for the bus barn, said Superintendent Troy Walters. Walters said the board has been putting away extra cash in its general fund during the oil boom years and believes the $450,000 accumulated in its capital account will be enough to fund a bus barn and playground while maintaining a reserve. The existing bus barn is an older building with no water connections and only three bus stalls for the district’s five buses.The proposal for the new bus barn is five stalls, with a wash bay, rest rooms, offices and paved area around the building. The playground project also would need a construction manager before calling for bids. Walters said about 25 playground designs were identified and placed before a building committee and also posted for the students to select a favorite. Walters said the existing playground is suitable for ages kindergarten through third grade, but there is nothing for older students. The plan is to keep the existing playground and add additional equipment. The new playground will be installed on a portion of the site of the former school, which was removed after the existing school was built about seven years ago. Should the projects move forward, students could have their new playground by fall. The bus barn likely would begin construction in the fall and be completed late in 2022. The existing bus building will be demolished to make way for the construction. “Besides the playground, we’re going to put in some basketball courts, maybe a sand volleyball pit,” Walters said. The school also is working with North Dakota State University Extension Service on a grant-supported construction project for a greenhouse. “I think it would be awesome,” Walters said. “The kids right now are already growing plants in the classroom and they’re just enjoying the heck out of that.”
“Counties and the cities always get federal aid every year, but that’s limited. A lot of counties have to build it up for five years before they have enough money to be able to do a project,” Indvik said. Going into 2021, he said, the workload appears similar to 2020, although much rests on spending decisions of the North Dakota Legislature. “Quite a few of our counties have plans shelf ready,” Indvik said. “So if the counties do get some money, we’ll be able to turn around and bid them out right away.” While the level of activity is similar throughout the region, the types of projects vary, Indvik said. Divide County has been working on a phased regrading project on 19 miles of road, with a future plan to add paving. In Bottineau County, which has more than 140 bridges, the focus is on its bridge replacement schedule, with plans already being made for work not expected to occur until 2023. It’s not all roads and bridges on the construction schedule, though. Ryan Anderson, a vice president and architecture lead at Ackerman-Estvold, listed the Magic City Discovery Center, a children’s mu-
Submitted Art
The grand opening celebration of the MHA Nation Interpretive Center, west of New Town, will be held May 19. The center will tell the story of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation.
Grand opening for new MHA Nation Interpretive Center set for May 19 By ELOISE OGDEN
Regional Editor eogden@minotdailynews.com NEW TOWN – The new MHA Nation Interpretive Center will tell the story of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation on the Fort Berthold Reservation. A grand opening celebration of the new center is set for May 19. The center is located near the Earth Lodge Village west of New Town. According to MHA Nation – Three Affiliated Tribes – information, the interpretive center building will house a number of offices and a large display of museum quality and interactive kiosk of the culture. The building has a 250-seat event room and a state of the art kitchen for preparing traditional meals to the public for certain events. A classroom will be available for cultural educational classes. The center also has a coffee shop and gift shop. There is also an amphitheater with outside seating for 500 people. Delphine Baker is executive director of the interpretive center.
seum, as one of the more significant projects to get started in Minot this year. The 22,000-square-foot museum is about a $14 million project. Another prominent project is the ongoing construction at the Souris Valley Animal Shelter. The existing building was in rough shape and will get a huge upgrade, Anderson said. Completion is expected in July.
Visit us online at www.MinotDailyNews.com
Minot Public Schools also issued a request for proposals for an architect for a second high school. Although funding remains to be addressed, that would be a major project in the future. Ackerman-Estvold also has been working on the Fort Berthold Reservation with the tribe to finish construction on phase three of an outdoor waterpark on the Four Bears
Peninsula at New Town. Completion is expected in June. Ackerman-Estvold is designing a second phase of a beach and recreation project to augment the work completed a few years ago on the south end of the peninsula, near the casino. Anderson said more construction projects are expected into the future on the reservation.
Page 4
Saturday, April 3, 2021
Minot Daily News • PROGRESS: Construction
Carl E. Zeltinger General Manager
Visit our website to see parts promotions,
Renville Elevator Co.
service specials, equipment listings and events:
www.gooseneckimp.com Kenmare | Minot | Mohall | Stanley Velva | Rugby | Harvey | Williston | Beach Bowman | Elgin | Lemmon | Dickinson
P.O. Box 8 Tolley, North Dakota 58787
Phone: 701-386-2457 Toll Free: 800-737-7237 Fax: 701-386-2472 Mobile: 701-240-7830
Farmers Union Lumber Everything For Your Floor Covering Needs! 701-385-4201 FAX: 701-385-4204 1011 North Central Ave. Kenmare, ND 58746
Kenmare-Berthold Jorgenson Insurance Agency, Inc. PO Box 727, Kenmare, ND 58746 • 701-385-4287
“Your Local Full Service Bank”
• Cuts • Colors • Perms • Manicures •Facials • Waxing • Tanning • Body Wraps 23 West Division St., Kenmare, ND
701-385-3168
Community Clinic – Kenmare
ng orki W “
Together To Grow A Commu
nity ”
KENMARE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION www.kenmarend.com
701-835-2254
Live your best life with RTC.
z z z z z
Internet Phone TV Business Services Camera Systems www.RTC.coop 888.862.3115
307 1st Ave NW, Kenmare, ND
For appointments call
701-385-4283
Financial Guidance From Someone Who Gets You Let’s connect to get you where you want to go. Kyle W Hanson FIC, CLTC® Financial Associate kyle.hanson@thrivent.com
Rebecca Goettle Associate Representative rebecca.goettle@thrivent.com
109 Main St S PO Box 856 Stanley, ND 58784 701-628-2394
trinityhealth.org
OLSON & BURNS P.C. A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
Located in the State Bank & Trust of Kenmare building. Attorney available every Thursday.
We can help with Oil & Gas Leases, Mineral Lapses, Mineral Reclamations, Wind Energy questions, Mineral Trusts & Transfers.
20328 R6-20
Kenmare Public School Home of The
KENMARE HONKERS • 3ää great students in K-12. • Fully Accredited School by the State of North Dakota • Wide variety of courses offered in the High School, (classes are offered on-line, lTV and traditional classroom).
Call Joshua J. Wolfe for all your natural resource questions.
For appointments: Kenmare 385-3087 or Minot 839-1740
Visit us online at www.MinotDailyNews.com
• 60 Excellent Staff members • Technology in every classroom. • Successful activities with eight sport programs and numerous co-curricular activities for students to participate.
For more information call 385-4996 or write Kenmare Public Schools PO Box 667 Kenmare, ND 58746
C REATING
Saturday, April 3, 2021
By JILL SCHRAMM
Page 5
Minot Daily News • PROGRESS: Construction
LABOR JOBS
Opportunities exist when companies hire local MDN File Photo
LEFT: Construction workers paint stripes on the new roadway near the Third Street and Fourth Avenue Northeast intersection last November. The roadway improvement was completed last year as part of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project.
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com
North Dakota labor union representatives are optimistic about the job opportunities that could exist in the state’s trades in the near future. “There’s so many major projects sitting on the horizon,” said Pam Trhlik, director of governmental affairs and business development with Laborers’ International Union of North Dakota (LIUNA) in Bismarck. Montana-Dakota Utilities plans to dismantle the Heskin plant, which will require laborers available in North Dakota, she said. Depending on the future of the Coal Creek Station near Washburn, that also could mean jobs, she said, as could a proposed $400 million ethane-fueled power plant at Williston. “The trades, specifically, have the training to employ a great number of people in North Dakota that can stay in North Dakota, and that is constantly our message. We want local workforce,” Trhlik said. Speaking for the Electrical Workers Union Local 714, business manager Randy Bartsch, also president of the Minot Building & Trades Council, said there have been electrical jobs locally that have gone to out-of-state or out-of-area workers. Local electricians have had to travel to places such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Montana and Iowa for jobs. While a large Trinity project and flood protection work continue in the Minot area, Bartsch said construction has slowed in western North Dakota’s oil patch. There are still projects occurring, just at a more normal rather than hectic pace, he said. “We’ve cut back on the apprentices we’re taking in just because it’s slowed down. We’ve been taking in a lot of apprentices the last 10-12 years,” he said. “But we’re still training.” In western North Dakota, there are about 160 apprentices in the electrical program. LIUNA represents the building trades, from roads and bridges to energy projects such as wind turbines, pipelines and coal-fired plants. Lucas Franco, research manager with LIUNA, said the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with a decline in the oil industry, was hard on the construction industry. Total employment was down 8% to 10% over the course of 2020 when compared to 2019.
Jill Schramm/MDN
BELOW: A construction worker works on the new Trinity hospital going up in southwest Minot last September. Steve Cortina, marketing representative with LIUNA in Bismarck, said scheduled down time for maintenance at power plants was postponed due to COVID-19. “So, hopefully, this year, with the vaccine, it will be more safe out here. Hopefully, it’s looking up for North Dakota’s laborers,” he said. LIUNA has been watching the 2021 Legislature closely to see how infrastructure projects will fare with funding. Laborers were disappointed with the Senate’s defeat of a bill that would have made local construction hiring a consideration in the evaluation of wind farm applications and would have required wind companies to report their local hiring statistics. Franco said similar requirements in Minnesota flipped the industry, and now wind projects include a majority of local workers. “There’s just often a total lack of transparency, and it’s really hard for the general public to know whether or not a particular project is doing a good or bad job in prioritizing local workers,” Franco said. An October 2019 study by LIUNA found that a local wind energy construction worker can be expected to spend roughly three times more locally than a non-local worker over the short-term ($52,000 versus $16,000). The report noted wind energy developers relied on non-local construction workers for an estimated 86% of their construction workforce on nine recent projects. If 50% to 70% of work had been performed by local workers, the total projected economic impact of wind
farm construction employment, including the value of deferred fringe benefits, would fall between $170 million and $210 million. If just 10% to 30% of the work were performed by local workers, the total projected economic impact would be reduced to between $87 million and $127 million. The report concluded reliance on a non-local workforce was costing North Dakota an estimated $14.9 million per year in lost local economic activity. “What we’ve seen is just how frustrating it is for people that see these big investments but aren’t seeing their neighbors or even themselves getting put to work on these projects,” Franco said. “That undercuts the recruitment efforts in terms of recruiting the next generation of workers, but I think it also undercuts support for these proj-
ects in communities.” He acknowledged challenges with locally staffing massive projects, such as the upcoming Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Project, which will create more than 7,000 jobs. “One of the ways in which we’re trying to make sure that project is built using majority local workers is by partnering with the bidding contractors and incentivizing contractors bidding on that project to partner with registered apprenticeship programs,” Franco said. A report by LIUNA on the $2.5 billion Fargo-Moorhead project showed a local construction worker on the diversion project will generate about three to four times more local economic activity than a non-local worker. The report encourages project bidders to partner with registered ap-
prenticeship programs and supports requiring bidders to provide plans and demonstrate capacity to recruit and develop local skilled workers. “In terms of recruiting the next generation of skilled construction workers in North Dakota, we’re both incredibly excited about the potential of some of these big projects, whether it’s some of the decommissioning work, or the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion project, but we’re also scared that we might miss this opportunity if we don’t get the commitment to local hiring,” Franco said. “If we get this right on things like the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Project, we can really be in a good position for the next generation of our skilled construction workforce. But if we get it wrong, we’re in trouble, and that’s what we worry about.”
Carl E. Zeltinger General Manager
Renville Elevator Co.
P.O. Box 8 Tolley, North Dakota 58787
Phone: 701-386-2457 Toll Free: 800-737-7237 Fax: 701-386-2472 Mobile: 701-240-7830
EXPERIENCE IT! INTERNET | VIDEO | PHONE | SECURITY
Community Clinic – Kenmare
• Up to a GIG (that's 1,000 Mbps) internet speeds!The fastest in the nation. • Let us entertain you with hundreds of TV channels in our video lineup. • Chat it up locally or with our Unlimited Long Distance!
307 1st Ave NW, Kenmare, ND
• Be secure with our essential security options and FREE Video Surveillance site survey and demo!
For appointments call
Residential | Business
701-385-4283 Serving Northwest ND, call today!
LONDON J. JACOBS MARIAH L. JACOBS D. V. M.
211 Main Street 701.464.5121 Powers Lake, ND 58773
Making Connections.
trinityhealth.org
Visit us online at www.MinotDailyNews.com
701.568.3331 | nccray.com
Page 6
R ESILIENT
Minot Daily News • PROGRESS: Construction
HOUSING
Saturday, April 3, 2021
Construction projects to create affordable living
Submitted Photo
The ribbon cutting of the Crosby swimming pool features Mayor Bert Anderson, Crosby Park District President Traci Lund and Parks Director Brock Harward. Photo courtesy of the Crosby Journal.
NEW
SWIMMING POOL,
ADDITIONAL SIDEWALKS EN HAN CE QUA LI TY OF LIFE IN
By KAYCEE LINDSEY Executive Director Divide County Job Development Authority
The City of Crosby was recently awarded a Transportation Alternatives Grant to place additional sidewalk along a few key areas within town. The construction is estimated to take place in 2022. This sidewalk will provide continued access along one of Crosby’s main roadways, and will provide a safe route for community members to walk/bike along as they make their way to and from Crosby’s newly built swimming pool (which opened in the summer of 2020). This sidewalk will also create a connection to existing sidewalk and provide access to Crosby’s Central Business District. Over the course of the past 10 years, the City of Crosby has continuously worked on placing new and replacing existing sidewalk within the community, as they recognize the importance of enhancing the quality of life for resi-
C ROSBY
dents within the city. Recognizing the importance of quality of life, the City of Crosby funded a new $1.6 million dollar outdoor pool, which was constructed during the summer and fall of 2019. The new swimming pool has been and continues to be a huge asset for our community. The new pool opened in the summer of 2020, at a time when our community members needed it the most. The swimming pool had over 7,000 swimmers last year, which is almost double the amount from the 2018 year swimming season. This pool was built to accommodate all ages and abilities and truly is a summer destination for residents and visitors. The Crosby Park District, who owns and manages the swimming pool, recently received grant funding to purchase a WBIT AquaTrack, a giant inflatable floating obstacle course, that will continue to diversify what the swimming pool can offer for private party rentals and other summer programming.
• The Perfect Mix Lobby • Free Airport Shuttle • Free high-speed internet access • Free On the House™ hot breakfast • 24/7 Snack Area
6ɈLY L_WPYLZ
MDN File Photos
ABOVE: Construction continues March 16 toward a fall opening for Blu on Broadway, a mixed-use building on South Broadway in Minot. BELOW: The Milton Young Tower in downtown Minot, shown in March, is undergoing a major renovation that will update infrastructure and add additional apartment units. By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com A prominent building rising along Broadway is among construction projects in the works to increase affordable housing options as part of the City of Minot’s National Disaster Resilience program. Blu on Broadway, at 1629 S. Broadway, is a roughly $10 million mixed-use project that will include 8,800 square feet of commercial space on the first floor and 42 affordable housing units on the upper four floors. Its financing includes $4.75 million as a forgivable loan through NDR in exchange for at least 20 years of affordable rents and $500,000 in interest buydown through North Dakota Flex PACE. The building is part of a collection of NDR projects in progress or soon to start that will rehabilitate or create new affordable housing for low- to moderate income families. In addition to Blu on Broadway, projects include townhouses at Park South, senior apartments called Souris Heights and renovations at Milton Young Towers. A West Fargo developer
• Heated Indoor Pool & Hot Tub • Fitness Center • Guest Laundry • Hilton HHonors®
with Minot ties, EPIC Companies broke ground on Blu on Broadway last July and is aiming for an October opening. Blu on Broadway is one of 25 mixed-use projects the company has been involved in. McKenzy Olson, vice president of marketing and public relations for EPIC, said the construction season has had its challenges with COVID-19 quarantine impacts and safety requirements as well as a snap of extreme cold in February. However, the project remains on pace, she said. EPIC has been discussing leases with businesses interested in locating on the main floor. Olson said there is a strong desire by EPIC to include a food and beverage business as well as retail, and possibly even an entertainment-related tenant. She said it has been nice to see local entrepreneurs looking at the space as an opportunity for their business ideas. The number of tenants will depend on the space needs of each, but the main level could accommodate four averagesized businesses. Pre-leasing of the housing units on upper floors is expected to start in April or May. EPIC will be handling the preleasing for the apartments, expected to rent for $520 to $700 a month, depending on the unit. Tenants must meet federal guidelines for low- to moderate-income, but Olson said interested individuals should inquire and not assume they don’t qualify because people from a variety of walks of life have been known to fit into the eligibility requirements. The pet-friendly building will have eight studios, 25 onebedroom and nine two-bedroom units. A number of the units, including all the twobedroom, will be the two-story concept, with rooms on two floors. The building will include handicapped accessible units and units that can be made accessible based on need. Blu on Broadway location will be attractive for tenants because it is near a grocery store and other businesses within walking distance as well as businesses on the main floor. There will be underground parking and plans exist for a park area with activities for children, which Olson said might take work at the site into 2022. “We always want it to be that live, work, play,” Olson said. “People enjoy having that community aspect, or that feeling of being a part of something, and that’s really what’s happened with the mixed-use buildings.” By the time Blu on Broadway opens, EPIC also plans to have a video board in place for announcements and other onpremises use. In connection with the project, EPIC Companies upgraded a block of First Street Southwest behind its property.
Visit us online at www.MinotDailyNews.com
The Minot City Council approved a Tax Increment Financing District to give EPIC a five-year tax abatement on site improvements. With savings from that abatement, EPIC improved the roadway at no cost to adjacent property owners. Olson said the project will include a second phase of construction on the property. “We’re not sure yet what it will be. We don’t know if it’ll be a mixed-use building or some other type of building. It’s still up in the air. But we’d like to get something there because we have the space,” she said. Many of the company’s principals are from Minot or the area so they want to see good things happen in the city, she said. “So we’re very open to options and seeing what could happen,” she said. Construction also will resume this spring on Essential Living’s Park South townhomes project. Concrete pours for the project occurred last fall. The project includes 22 homes, including 10 on the west side and 12 on the south side of the existing Park South apartment building. Essential Living previously received NDR funds to assist in renovating the Park South apartments at 234 14th Ave. SE. The NDR program is providing $4.8 million in this second phase. Bruce Walker with Essential Living said pre-leasing of the two-bedroom, one-bath townhomes to low- to moderate-income residents could begin by late summer. Rents will be income based, likely in the range of $600 to $900 a month. Walker noted the townhomes aren’t being marketed specifically to seniors but their single-story design would make them attractive to older tenants. The units are expected to become available by the end of the year. Gehrtz Construction is construction manager on the project. Souris Heights, being developed by Beyond Shelter, is on track to break ground in May near Ramstad Middle School and Beyond Shelter’s Sunset Ridge apartments. The 54 units that will be available to tenants aged 55 and older include nine that will be two-bedroom. The remainder will have one bedroom, and 12 will be accessible to tenants with disabilities. The NDR program is providing up to $5.5 million. Other funding sources included in the project are federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Housing Incentive Fund dollars from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and financing from the Bank of North Dakota through a local bank. The project has a 12-month construction schedule, so leasing likely won’t begin until late spring next year.
“There’s some great community space,” developer Joe Rizzo with Beyond Shelter said of the plans for Souris Heights. “We do have a nice community room with a kitchen so that we can bring in some meals at different times of the week, so the tenants have healthy meals available for them.” The apartment building will be served by Meals on Wheels through the Minot Commission on Aging. “There will be a nice patio out the back as well as a library, craft room and just those areas that kind of take on a community within a community,” Rizzo said. The project includes covered, attached parking spaces. The project will be similar to the 40-unit Cook’s Court senior housing in south Minot, completed by Beyond Shelter in 2016. Rizzo said Cook’s Court has had very high occupancy. “To the point where we actually have a waiting list on that project. In the state of North Dakota, that age group is getting larger every year. Those that are on fixed incomes, particularly Social Security or other fixed income, need to have a rent that matches their income so they have a safe and affordable place to stay,” Rizzo said. The Minot Housing Authority will be managing the property, as it does Cook’s Court. Construction currently is occurring at Minot Housing Authority’s Milton Young Tower, making numerous improvements in the nearly 50year-old building. Through NDR, the City of Minot is investing $5 million. The housing authority is investing an additional $800,000. Work will include updates to mechanical systems, fire safety, power backup systems, waste stack replacement, high efficiency plumbing and lighting installation, replacement of storefront systems/curtain walls on the first floor and at stairways, replacement of door hardware on first-floor doors, installation of security cameras, modernization of the elevator system and new energy-efficient and noise-reducing windows on the first floor. In addition, bathroom in all apartments will be remodeled, single-bedroom units will be converted to two-bedroom units, flooring will be replaced, designated units will be remodeled and painting will be done. Renovations will result in 18 additional two-bedroom apartments, increasing the total number to 24. The project will be conducted in phases over 18 months. Due to the extensive work required to replace the waste stacks throughout the building, residents will be temporarily relocated during the renovation process. Most relocations will be within the building. The construction is expected to occur in 10 to 12 phases, with each phase scheduled to take 10 weeks, according to information from the City of Minot. The 14-story building has 220 housing units and includes housing authority office space and community rooms. The building’s commercial kitchen was updated recently with a grant from Bremer Bank.
Saturday, April 3, 2021
Page 7
M ILITARY C ONSTRUCTION U PDATE
Minot Daily News • PROGRESS: Construction
$76.5-91.5 million in projects in the works at Minot AFB, more planned
Submitted Photo
This development is part of the Shovel Ready Lot program enacted by the McKenzie County Job Development Authority in 2020. The program provides for reimbursement of infrastructure costs for the developers. In turn, they must sell the lot with a capped price (between $40,000-$50,000) and are to have all of their lots developed by 2026.
By ELOISE OGDEN
Regional Editor eogden@minotdailynews.com MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – More than $76.5 million to $91.5 million in construction projects currently are being done at Minot Air Force Base. Lt. Col. David Dammeier, commander of the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, presented an update on military construction projects at the January virtual meeting of the Minot Area Chamber EDC. A $24 million indoor firing range is among the current construction projects at the base and in the Minot missile field. With an estimated completion date of August of this year, the project constructs an indoor firing range to support small arms and machine gun training. Dammeier said it will provide a facility indoors and freeing military members from weather events as well as providing safer nighttime training events. Due to extreme snowload events in 2016, the HAZMART facility was deemed a hazard due to the collapse of its roof, making the facility not useable. Dammeier said Sen. John Hoeven successfully added language to the National Defense Authorization Act that will allow a complete demolition and replacement of the facility. The project was awarded in September 2020. It is expected to be completed in March 2022. The mass parking apron is a massive project at Minot Air Force Base. Dammeier said the project extends over seven phases that replaces 60-year-old B52 parking apron concrete that has exceeded its lifespan. The total seven-phase project costs $100 million. He said they expect phase four (a $20 million to $25 million project) should be done in fiscal year 2021. The estimated completion date is fall. A $16 million project will renovate the 91st Maintenance Group’s industrial areas (including heat, venti-
Submitted Photo
The renovation of the 91st Maintenance Group’s industrial areas is estimated to be completed in 2023. lation, air conditioning, electronics labs, and missile communications) Dammeier said the project was awarded last year. He said it has a completion date of about 2023. He said last year a suspected faulty block heater caught fire in a hangar where some snow equipment and material were stored. “This caused a massive fire in the hangar in which resulted in a total loss of the facility,” he said. He said this new project will provide replacement for that facility. The new pre-engineered steel building for cold storage of equipment and materials will cost $1.4 million. Several million dollars in construction projects in the Minot missile field will include updates at missile alert facilities and installing sump pumps for use during wet cycles at launch facilities. All the work is scheduled to be completed in summer or fall of this year.
Future Opportunities and Future Construction
The Helicopter Operations and Tactical Response Force facility is an $80 million to $90 million military construction project. “This is a large facility that will house helo pilots and response personnel under one roof to produce reduced response times to the missile complex,” Dammeier said. “It will also house the newest helo, the Grey Wolf, when it comes on line,” Dammeier said. It is a nine-bay facility to house the base’s 54th Helicopter Squadron’s new MH139A Grey Wolf helicopters and 91st Security Force’s tactical response force.
Submitted Photo
Phase Four of a massive parking apron project is expected to be done in fiscal year 2021. Dammeier said the estimated award for the construction project is this summer. A project to upgrade the Magic City (Main) Gate at Minot AFB will cost $5 million to $10 million. Dammeier said they expect to start to design it this fiscal year, with construction in fiscal year 2023. An indoor athletic facility also is in the base’s future construction. The project includes an air inflated field cover for all weather physical training similar to Minot State University’s “Bubble.” Dammeier said it would provide a 300-meter track with synthetic turf for sports activities and fitness assessments. The project would replace an existing asphalt track with the rubberized track and dirt field with synthetic turf. It provides the infrastructure to secure the inflateable structure. The cost would be $2 million to $4 million for the rubberized asphalt track and synthetic turf field; $1 million to $3 million for the foundation for the field
cover; and $1 million to $2 million for the air-inflated field cover. “We are planning for end of year funds this fiscal year,” Dammeier said. “Due to costs it is more effective to upgrade and modernize a facility versus replacing a facility,” Dammeier said. “Therefore we have several projects that are going to upgrade the B-52 maintenance docks that support the nuclear and conventional mission.” The four project vary from $5 million to $10 million and up to $15 million to $20 million each. The estimated date for award is 2021 and 2022. Currently, the base’s Child Development Center does not have enough space. Plans are to renovate the facility to create two classrooms for toddlers and two classrooms for preschool children. Dammeier said this will result in the addition of about 60 spots at the Child Development Center for children. He said the design is complete and they hope to start construction in 2022. The project will cost between $1 million to $5 million.
Magic City Discovery Center
Submitted Photo
An indoor athletic facility is in the base’s future construction. The project includes an air inflated field cover for all weather physical training similar to Minot State University’s “Bubble.”
Dammeir said the base recently partnered with the Magic City Discovery Center in Minot, Minot Parks and others that led to a Department of Defense $6.3 million Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program grant for the construction of a 22,000-square-foot building. The building, estimated to cost $14 million, will house exhibits designed to help children discover, create, invent and play.
Making a community of choice
McKenzie County JDA working to incentivize more construction By DANIEL STENBERG
Executive Director McKenzie County Job Development Authority With a county’s population that has doubled, and our county seat’s (Watford City) population that has tripled over the last decade, there have been numerous opportunities for growth. We now have over 800 hotel rooms available in our community, many apartments, and new single-family housing. The single-family housing shortage has been the most significant challenge to meet. With employers reporting adequate singlefamily housing as often the biggest obstacle for maintaining and growing their permanent workforce, the McKenzie County Job Development Authority (JDA) has been working to incentivize more construction. In 2019, the JDA enacted the Housing Development Subsidy program which provides up to $50,000 for certain single-family houses to be built and sold. To date there’s been 33 houses accepted into the program. The initial $1 million in funding was allocated
within a year; last year, another $1 million was approved for the program, with about 50% of that already allocated. In 2020, the JDA enacted the Shovel-Ready Lot program to provide for reimbursement of infrastructure costs for the developers. The developers, in turn, must sell the lot with a capped price (between $40,000-$50,000) and are to have all of their lots developed by 2026. Two developers were awarded – Stepping Stone Inc. with 55 lots and Stenehjem Development with 79 lots. While the pandemic and oil price volatility of 2020 decreased area economic activity, many projects have still transpired. The Long X Bridge on Highway 85 was replaced and upgraded to four lanes last year; our municipal airport will be closed for use from April-October as it undergoes a $20M+ renovawhich, once tion completed, will accommodate larger aircraft; and Fox Hills Elementary – a second elementary school building for Watford City was opened. We are excited about the Vantis network coming to Watford City and Williston which will allow for beyond the visual line of sight unmanned aircraft. It is no doubt that our economy follows the petroleum markets, but we are doing what we can to make our community a community of choice with quality healthcare, education, events, outdoor recreation, safety, and housing.
701-852-1491
328 20th Ave SE • Minot, ND • 58701
HARRY MOWBRAY
Visit us online at www.MinotDailyNews.com
HARRY L. MOWBRAY HARRY W. MOWBRAY HARRY T. MOWBRAY
Page 8
Saturday, April 3, 2021
Minot Daily News • PROGRESS: Construction
Minot’s #1 Destination for all of your
n o i t a u Grad e s u o H Open Needs! Place your order April 30th from 1pm - 5pm,
May 1st from 11am - 3pm, May 7th from 1pm - 5pm or May 8th from 11am - 3pm
at any Marketplace Foods locations and save an Additional 10% off your order!
Meat & Cheese Trays
Graduation Cakes Starting at... āĥąƫ $!!0
āĥĂƫ $!!0
1((ƫ $!!0
Serves 16-24
Serves 32-48
Serves 72-96
0 .0%*#ƫ 0
0 .0%*#ƫ 0
0 .0%*#ƫ 0
$
$
2099
3699
$
6999
! +. 0! 1, '!/ 0 .0%*#ƫ 0
999
$
+6!*
Serves 8-12
Serves 16-20
Serves 24-28
$
$
$
2899
4899
6899
đƫ !ƫ3%0$ƫ .!)%1)ƫ .!0/ $) .ƫ ! 0/ƫĒƫ $!!/!/
Graduation Party Packages Party Bun Sandwiches đƫ * 3% $!/ƫ +1.ƫ $+% !ƫ+"ƫ )Čƫ 1.'!5ƫ+.ƫ + /0ƫ !!" đƫ !ƫ3%0$ƫ .!)%1)ƫ .!0/ $) .ƫ ! 0/ƫĒƫ $!!/!/ đƫ +1.ƫ $+% !ƫ+"ƫĂƫ % !/
Fresh Cut Fruit Trays With Dip
Sloppy Joe Package đƫ 2 %( (!ƫ +0ƫ+.ƫ +( đƫ ) 1.#!.ƫ 1*/ƫ * (1 ! đƫ +1.ƫ $+% !ƫ+"ƫĂƫ % !/
2.5 lb.
Serves 8-12
$
99
11
Chester Fried Chicken or Meat & Cheese Tray đƫ .05ƫ 1*/ƫ * (1 ! đƫ +1.ƫ $+% !ƫ+"ƫĂƫ % !/ 0 .0%*#ƫ 0
$
99 59 *
Serves 12 People
+1.ƫ $+% !ƫ+"ƫ % !/č 4 lbs. Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Macaroni Salad or BBQ Baked Beans or 3 lbs. Orange or Cherry Fluff
Crazy Fresh Vegetable Trays With Dips
0 .0%*#ƫ 0
$
99 119 *
3 lb.
Serves 25 People
+1.ƫ $+% !ƫ+"ƫ % !/č
Serves 16-20
8 lbs. Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Macaroni Salad or BBQ Baked Beans or 6 lbs. Orange or Cherry Fluff
0 .0%*#ƫ 0
$
99
19
Custom Fruit or Vegetable Trays Available upon request
99
* 224
$
Serves 50 People
+1.ƫ $+% !ƫ+"ƫ % !/č 12 lbs. Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Macaroni Salad or BBQ Baked Beans or 9 lbs. Orange or Cherry Fluff
Curbside Pickup & Delivery NOW AVAILABLE! MAIN / 1930 S BROADWAY / NORTH HILL / 2211 16TH STREET NW
MARKETPLACEFOODS.COM WE ACCEPT MOBILE PAYMENTS TECHNOLOGY Including Apple Pay CREDIT CARDS WE ACCEPT:
FOUR CONVENIENT LOCATIONS IN MINOT ND BROADWAY / 1930 S BROADWAY / 701-839-7580 NORTH HILL / 2211 16TH STREET NW / 701-857-4060 ARROWHEAD / 1600 2ND AVE SW / 701-839-7948 BROADWAY / 1620 S BROADWAY / 701-837-4961
/ / / /
OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN
6AM-10PM 6AM-10PM 6AM-10PM 6AM-10PM
No Rainchecks, Supplies Limited, We Reserve The Right To Limit Quantities.
Visit us online at www.MinotDailyNews.com
SCAN THIS CODE FOR E-MAIL OFFERS