University Village, Grand Forks, North Dakota

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Ralph Engelstad Arena in University Village
Ralph Engelstad Arena in University Village

University Village (also known as the Bronson Property) is a neighborhood in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It is a part of the University of North Dakota (UND) campus and is located directly north of UND's central campus area. The property comprises 160 acres (0.65 km²) located on the banks of the meandering English Coulee directly off U.S. Highway 2.[1] University Village has been developed as a commercial and residential neighborhood with the Ralph Engelstad Arena as the major anchor and has been called "the most valuable piece of real estate in North Dakota."[2]

[edit] History

Formerly known as the Bronson Property, the land was donated to UND by local attorney and judge Harrison A. Bronson who, in 1895, became the recipient of the first master's degree awarded by UND.[1][3] For decades, the area contained no structures and was used only for intramural fields and community garden space.[3] After the devastating Red River Flood of 1997, plans were drawn up to develop the property. The plan called for UND, commercial, and residential uses.[3]

In 2000, the first building constructed at University Village — a new Barnes & Noble College Booksellers store — opened its doors.[3] At that time, construction was well underway on a large ice arena which would be the centerpiece of the new neighborhood. In 2001, the $100+ million dollar Ralph Engelstad Arena opened. The ice arena is home to the UND Fighting Sioux ice hockey program. Former hockey star Wayne Gretzky has called the arena "one of the most beautiful buildings we have in North America."[4] In 2004, a $7 million dollar addition, known as the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, was constructed adjacent to the Ralph Engelstad Arena and is home to the Fighting Sioux basketball and Fighting Sioux volleyball programs. In 2005, the $20 million dollar UND Student Wellness Center opened doors in University Village. Other buildings which have been constructed on the property include a family practice clinic, two strip malls, two bank, a bar and grill, and a gas station. A large townhouse development has also been built on the west side of the property. Future plans for University Village call for an expansion of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, a hotel, more commercial developments, and student housing.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b Sweney, Kathryn. "A "Village" taking shape on the Bronson Property", Dimensions (University of North Dakota: University Relations), November 2004. Retrieved on 2007-08-30. 
  2. ^ The University of North Dakota Experience (PDF). University of North Dakota. Retrieved on 2007-08-25.
  3. ^ a b c d "UND to dedicate Barnes & Noble University Bookstore building Monday, Oct. 2", UND News, September 28, 2000. Retrieved on 2007-08-30. 
  4. ^ Vandrovec, Terry. "Gretzky down on future", Fargo Forum, January 3, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-08-30. 
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