Watford City unveils ambitious Main Street Square Plan
By M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
Watford City is buzzing following the announcement of plans for a transformative new urban park, dubbed “Main Street Square,” promising to become a dynamic centerpiece for community gatherings and cultural events in the heart of downtown.
This ambitious project, set to break ground in 2027-2028 with a grand ribbon-cutting anticipated for June 2029, is a direct response to a resounding call from residents for more vibrant public spaces.
The vision for Main Street Square stems from a comprehensive Community Survey and Downtown Redevelopment Plan conducted in Fall 2024, which garnered over 800 responses. As Brock White, Marketing & Communications Coordinator for the City of Watford City and the Long X Development Team, explained, the survey clearly identified a strong community desire for an urban park and mixed-use commercial spaces on North Main Street.
“The survey that went out last fall really pointed to that spot for [an urban center]...that’s what people want to see there,” White stated.
The proposed urban park will occupy the vacant lots nestled between Door 204 and The Choice Reality Building, a location already informally embraced by the community for various events like Ribfest and the Parade of Lights. White emphasized the project’s aim to formalize this natural gathering spot: “It’s kind of just making that official.”
The estimated cost for the park’s development ranges from $2.5 to $3.5 million, with preliminary plans including a dedicated stage, state-of-the-art sound system, captivating public art displays, and convenient concessions.
A significant enabler of this downtown revitalization is the Roughrider Fund, a 1.5-cent city sales tax established in 1998, dedicated to enhancing community welfare, recreation, business, and economic development.
The Roughrider Fund Committee has committed up to $1.5 million from this fund to acquire seven key Main Street lots, including the four earmarked for the urban park and three adjacent buildings slated for future mixed-use development. “This really fits the vision of the fund and the purpose of the fund,” White said, explaining why the Roughrider Fund was “tapped into” for the property acquisitions.
For the full story, visit www.watfordcitynd.com and subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer today!