The City of West Fargo invites the public to attend an input meeting 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the Arthur W. Jones VFW Post 7564 (444 Sheyenne St. West Fargo). The input meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to discuss proposed street improvements to Sheyenne Street from Main Avenue to Eighth Avenue W.

This street project is a major element in the revitalization of downtown West Fargo and has a goal of creating a vibrant downtown space that encourages walking, events and enhance economic development in the area. The initial proposed design calls for narrowing the existing road width, increasing sidewalk widths, slowing traffic, reducing crossing distance at intersections, easing pedestrian and motorists’ safety concerns and improving lighting. The proposed project implements elements of the City of West Fargo’s Downtown Framework Study, new comprehensive plan and Downtown Sheyenne Street Corridor Study.

The project is being funded with a $2.3 million grant from the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s (NDDOT) Urban Grant Program. The program focuses on transportation improvements that directly support a community’s urban core and central business district. The City of West Fargo was one of six communities chosen by an advisory committee comprised of NDDOT, Department of Commerce, Bank of North Dakota, League of Cities and Metropolitan Planning Organization representatives.

The revitalization of downtown West Fargo began in 2016 when the City of West Fargo began collaborating with developers to build a number of multi-use buildings and a city-owned plaza. These spaces bring residents and businesses together and provide a focal gathering space in the heart of downtown. In 2018, Sheyenne Plaza, the first mixed-use building, and the POW/MIA Plaza opened. Downtown West Fargo also joined Governor Doug Burgum’s Main Street Initiative in 2018 and was declared a Main Street Community. Construction is currently underway on Pioneer Place, a second mixed use building to the north of Sheyenne Plaza expected to open in summer 2019. Three additional mixed use buildings are planned for downtown.

Residents are encouraged to create an account on www.westfargond.gov by clicking “Sign In” at the top of the home page to sign up for alerts regarding road construction throughout the season. Registered users are then able to visit http://westfargond.gov/list.aspx and select to receive email or text message updates for “West Fargo Streets” alerts under the alert center. Residents can also sign up for alerts with information about bids, jobs, City of West Fargo news, City of West Fargo events and agendas. Residents can also receive project updates by following @CityofWestFargo on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and by joining Nextdoor.

For details regarding upcoming events in the POW/MIA Plaza or to inquire about renting the space, please visit westfargoevents.com.