Dilworth looks to annex 145 acres to the north

Dilworth could soon be growing in three directions.

The city is looking to annex 145 acres north of the Kroshus development.

Rick Halvorson, owner of Horizon Properties, then plans to develop 350 single-family lots over the next 10 years.

"Hopefully we'd begin construction in the spring of 2005," he said.

Dilworth is already growing to the east and west.

About 70 more residential lots will be ready for development next month in the Woodbridge Addition, located in the northeast section of town, when sewer and water hookups are completed.

Twenty of those lots have already been spoken for, Halverson said.

Dilworth City Council member Barry Steen, owner of BMW Homes, plans to develop apartments, condominiums and single family housing on about 80 acres north of Wal-Mart on the west edge of town.

Water and sewer should also be extended to that land by fall after the council approved the project Monday. Steen, who purchased the land from a private owner, abstained from voting on the project.

Dilworth's proximity to Fargo-Moorhead will continue to make it a desirable place to live, said City Planner Stan Thurlow.

"I think this is sustainable development," Thurlow said. "Living near the F-M market has its advantages and disadvantages, but when it comes to selling houses, it is definitely an advantage."

Halvorson agreed. The city of 3,001 has a good school district, a shopping center with major retail stores, and highways that provides easy access to Minnesota's lakes and Fargo-Moorhead.

The City Council is expected to approve annexing the 145 acres at their Aug. 25, said City Administrator Ken Parke.

City officials will then seek final approval from the Moorhead Township Board and turn the plan over to the state for review.

"They (Minnesota Planning) will notify if there are any concerns," Parke said. "The process should be done by October."

The new development will include a four-acre park.

Eighth Avenue North will be the major road going through the development and will connect Seventh Street Northeast and County Road 9.

In the original 80-acre Kroshus Addition on Dilworth's north side, only a handful of the 144 lots remain, Halvorson said.

"It is basically full now except for a few lots," he said. "That had to happen first before we started looking at annexing additional land."

Dilworth has issued 33 housing permits this year, with an approximated value of $4.4 million.

"That's the best I've ever seen, and we're not even through yet," Parke said.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Baird at (701) 241-5535