The Crossings at Watford City to bring more housing, retail to city
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
Watford City’s newest residential, retail, and commercial development, The Crossings at Watford City, held its official ground-breaking ceremony on Friday, June 6, for the Bakken Village, a three-story, 46,000 square-foot building at the center of the site.
Bakken Village will offer live/work, retail and office architecture with 32 townhome-style apartments on the upper floors and space for office and restaurant locations on the main floor.
“We’re trying to be the real estate solution to this area and to the oilfield,” stated Paul Dries, chief operating officer of Bakken Development Solutions, which is developing The Crossings at Watford City. “We’re glad to be part of Watford City.”
According to Dries, Bakken Village will be one of two major projects that will be under construction on the 90-acre site east of Watford City this summer. In addition, ground will be broken on a new regional headquarters for ConocoPhillips, which has major mineral holdings in the Bakken Oil Shale in western North Dakota.
“In The Crossings at Watford City, we are trying to develop something that will last and will be sustainable,” stated Dries. “We’re trying to do the best for this region. There are a lot of things that are starting to happen here.”
Meeting the growing demands for housing and retail space has been one of the major issues facing Watford City as it has seen its population swell to nearly 15,000 people as a result of the development in McKenzie County.
And that growth in population and the pace of change in Watford City was not lost on North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Drew Wrigley.
“I can’t believe the pace of change in Watford City,” stated Wrigley. “This is the epicenter of what’s happening. And with The Crossings at Watford City, it is a bright day for Watford City and to see what is possible.”
According to Wrigley, the new development in Watford City is an example of what state and local leaders have been striving to achieve.
“We are working hard to write the next chapter in the state’s history,” stated Wrigley. “And we want that next chapter to be about positive development. This project is about long-term solutions to meet the housing and retail needs in the community.”
For Watford City Mayor Brent Sanford, the breaking of ground for the Bakken Village, as well as the announcement that ConocoPhillips would be establishing a regional headquarters in Watford City, was proof that the city is now able to attract long-term permanent oilfield jobs.
“Having a regional headquarters for an oilfield company in Watford City is an ‘A’ on our report card,” stated Sanford. “With Whiting and now ConocoPhillips having regional offices in our community, we are now drawing the permanent jobs that we want.”
The Crossings at Watford City, a 90-acre development, is located two miles east of the Watford City Municipal Airport and at the junction of N.D. Highways 1806 and 23. Bakken Development Solutions is the parent company for The Crossings at Watford City and housing at The Crossroads at Williston.