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Grand Forks 1997 Flood Recovery: Mitigation Downtown

Renewed, Rebuilt, Reborn

A Vision and One Bold Step for Grand Forks

With a downtown in shambles after an epic flood and fire, Grand Forks leaders knew they needed to take a bold step to show that their city could come back.

So the city built a two-building corporate center to replace the burned-out office space and to provide a downtown anchor that would spur other rebuilding.  To protect their investment and reduce possible future damages, the buildings are encircled by special concrete flood walls hidden behind the facades; waterproof membranes have been installed to prevent seepage; utilities have been elevated; special flood-protection barriers have been custom-made for all ground-level doorways, and an emergency generator has been upgraded and relocated to the roof to keep it well above floodwaters.

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The Grand Forks Town Square

As Grand Forks began post-flood rebuilding in 1997, residents envisioned a new downtown that would include open, positive spaces. 

Urban planners on loan to the city to help with the flood recovery suggested a town square where the community could come year-round to enjoy a variety of activities.  That vision led to the construction of Grand Forks' new Town Square on a prime downtown corner, which also serves as the city's gateway from neighboring Minnesota.

The project is ideal in that it replaces flood-damaged buildings with open space, a better use for area that is in a 100-year floodplain.

The square itself, which features vendor-style concrete booths, an elevated stage, a children’s play area and a large, open center space, was constructed using flood-resistant materials and providing opportunity for water to flow right through so that both maintenance and potential damage would be minimal. 

Since it’s completion in the fall of 2001, the square has been home to ice skating, open-air concerts, city celebrations, a spring-summer Farmer’s Market and an annual regional art festival.

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Historic Phoenix Building Rises from the Flood

In 1897, the Phoenix building in downtown Grand Forks was rebuilt after a devastating fire the year before.

In 1997, a devastating flood nearly wiped it out again.  But thanks to the efforts of four local businessmen, the historic building has been given new life…yet again.  This time, it has been better protected to withstand future flooding.

The building is one of three historic structures, hidden by a mid-1970s mall façade, that have been renovated as part of Grand Forks' flood recovery. 

To reduce future flood damages, the owners have filled in all but one of the basements (the remaining basement has been kept intact to serve as a storm shelter), elevated the utilities, installed a waterproof membrane to prevent groundwater seepage, and creating indoor parking spaces.  The measures are designed to meet local floodplain ordinances governing historic structures in a floodplain.   The buildings feature commercial spaces on the ground levels and spacious apartments on the upper floors.

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Safer, Drier, Higher…Grand Forks County Office

Photo of Grand Forks downtown county building

Record flooding in Grand Forks in 1997 devastated the city's downtown retail and business district.  Among the casualties was the Grand Forks County Office Building, which sustained about $2.4 million in damage. Two nearby buildings, also housing county agencies, were damaged as well.

When county officials chose to construct a new building, they looked for ways to build it better and minimize damage from another flood.  In keeping with local floodplain ordinances, the building site was elevated 4 feet before the structure was built.  A special "penthouse" level was added to house the building's mechanical and electrical systems to keep them high and dry as well. The new $19 million structure was completed in January 2000.

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Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Aug-2010 14:37:51 EDT