The Wahpeton (N.D.) City Council will consider a recommendation for a downtown revitalization effort tonight, while continuing to discuss annexing land for a potential Wal-Mart SuperCenter.
The city's Economic Development Commission voted last week to allocate up to $40,000 in city sales tax dollars to hire a consultant to create a downtown development plan.
City Administrator Shawn Kessel said the push for downtown revitalization is spurred by two factors: future street construction and the likely addition of the big-box retailer to the city.
The main downtown road - Dakota Avenue - will be rebuilt in 2009, allowing business owners a chance to provide ideas for the road's future design, Kessel said.
With Wal-Mart tentatively projecting a SuperCenter by 2007, a downtown revitalization would also help in that respect, Kessel said.
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"You've seen it happen in so many little towns where you add a mall or a big box - all of a sudden, downtown is neglected by shoppers. We don't want that to happen here," he said.
If the City Council approves the EDC's recommendation, Kessel wants to see the consultation process completed by the end of the year. Any recommendations could then be incorporated into the design of Dakota Avenue.
Wahpeton's last downtown revitalization effort was in 1983 with the Warm Wahpeton Welcome campaign, said Jane Priebe, the city's economic development director.
The marketing campaign was successful, but - without a city sales tax at the time - the effort fizzled when funding diminished, she said.
With more possibilities for funding now, Priebe wants interest for downtown to stir up again.
"We want downtown to be-come a destination," she said.
Downtown business owner Dale Hinsverk of Hinsverk's TV & Appliance Center said downtown Wahpeton needs "a good face uplift."
"It can't do any harm," he said. "It's a nice town, but we need something going here."
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Karen Selken of Wahpeton Floral & Gift doesn't know if revitalizing downtown will help business owners compete with Wal-Mart. She has mixed feelings about the retailer coming to town.
"On one hand, I think it will be a good addition. On the other hand, I don't think it's going to be good for our downtown," she said.
A 2005 citizen survey found the primary request of residents was to have a big-box retailer, so the city stepped up its efforts to achieve the goal, Kessel said.
The proposed Wal-Mart SuperCenter would be about 99,000 square feet and offer groceries and general merchandise, said Wal-Mart spokesman Ryan Horn. The store would be on the west side of the city and employ between 200 and 300 associates.
The city wants other businesses to develop on the property that it's considering for annexation, Kessel said.
The city has approved a first reading of the annexation process, with the potential for up to 180 acres to be included, Kessel said. Public hearings are scheduled for tonight.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Teri Finneman at (701) 241-5560
