Former Fargo School To Be Transformed

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 The former Woodrow Wilson School in Fargo may soon be getting a makeover.
 
A downtown revitalization group bought the building and they’re working to try and make it into a mixed use space.

The Kilbourne Group out of downtown Fargo recently purchased the former school.
They are trying to convert the space into a $14 million apartment complex with commercial space attached; right now they’re looking for the city’s help.
 
Ronald Saunders has lived across the former Woodrow Wilson School for over three decades.
He welcomes the idea of a new commercial space taking over.
 
“If they can do something good with that nice big building, I mean God, go do it,” said Saunders of Fargo.
 
Mike Allmendinger with the Kilbourne Group says they plan to transform the old school into a vibrant living and commercial space.
 
“This location lands you know right between downtown Fargo and NDSU. It’s about a 14 minute walk to NDSU and a 10 minute walk to Broadway; so in a great location,” said Allmendinger.
 
The plan right now is to build around 90 apartment units and have a 9,000 square foot space for commercial use.
Rent would range from $675 to $1,500; anywhere from a studio to a three bedroom apartment.

They say the mixed used space is meant to promote a lively atmosphere.
 
“Creates the vibrancy, creates people active in the neighborhoods, during the day, keeps people living there in the evening,” said Allmendinger.
 
The initial building finished construction in 1918.
The Kilbourne Group says this new project will maintain some of the history in the space.

It’s a project neighbors like Saunders don’t seem to mind.
 
“I’ll take it as it comes; you know if it works good, good. If it don’t then they got to work on it,” said Saunders.
 
The Fargo City Commission voted to have the city’s financial advisors review the proposal.
The Kilbourne Group says they need tax relief from the city for the project to be feasible.

The group hopes to start work on the project this fall, and be finished in a year.