Possible Downtown Fargo’s Street Railway

Sorry, this video is no longer available

Fargo community leaders are looking at options to make the downtown even more vibrant including bringing back a rail system. It is just one idea being considered to bring more people downtown.

When visiting downtown Fargo, the parking situation can be tough. Hard to find spots on the street and parking garages can be a hike.

Moorhead resident Malena Rock says, “They are too far to walk. In the Fargo – Moorhead area it gets so cold in the winter for so long that it’s too far to walk anywhere.”

If you don’t have a vehicle, walking may be the alternative you resort to.

Fargo resident Nicholas John Kudlicka says, “They’re too expensive. I’m on social security.”

As for the bus system, scheduling is an inconvenience for some.

Rock adds, “The bus is every half hour. You have to leave so early to get anywhere.”

In the early 1900s, a street railway system ran through North Fargo and Moorhead. Over a century later, it could be making a comeback.

Ulteig Engineering Planner Mike Zimney says, “Think of what it would do for Fargo. Think of what it would do for NDSU in attracting new students. Think of what it would do in terms of bringing more people to downtown Fargo living.”

A street railway system would bring more people to the area encouraging the urban design for creating places for people not cars.

Zimney adds, “No one typically moves to a town for their bus systems. They move their for light rail or streetcar lines.”

Locals agree if the street railway system was to come back the change would be for the positive.

Rock says, “That would be kind of cool!”

Kudlicka says, “I think it would help a lot of people because a lot of people out here are on low income.”

Talk about the rail system is in the very early stages. If the city agrees to the plans, it would be 10 years before its up and running.