University Village, Grand Forks, North Dakota

History

Formerly known as the Bronson Property, the land was donated to UND by local attorney and judge Harrison A. Bronson who, in 1895, became the recipient of the first master's degree awarded by UND. For decades, the area contained no structures and was used only for intramural fields and community garden space. After the devastating Red River Flood of 1997, plans were drawn up to develop the property. The plan called for UND, commercial, and residential uses.

In 2000, the first building constructed at University Village — a new Barnes & Noble College Booksellers store — opened its doors. The store has since changed suppliers and is now run by Follett Book Company. At that time, construction was well underway on a large ice arena which would be the centerpiece of the new neighborhood. In 2001, the $100+ million Ralph Engelstad Arena opened. The ice arena is home to the UND Fighting Hawks ice hockey program. Former hockey star Wayne Gretzky has called the arena "one of the most beautiful buildings we have in North America." In 2004, a $7 million addition, known as the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, was constructed adjacent to the Ralph Engelstad Arena and is home to the Fighting Hawks basketball and Fighting Hawks volleyball programs. In 2006, the $20 million UND Student Wellness Center opened doors in University Village. Other buildings which have been constructed on the property include a family practice clinic, two strip malls, two banks, a bar and grill (which went out of business in 2008), new university run student apartments, and a gas station. A large townhouse development has also been built on the west side of the property. A new facility for the School of Medicine and Health Sciences was built on the property and opened in July 2016.

Notes

References

1. Sweney, Kathryn. (November 2004). "A "Village" taking shape on the Bronson Property". Dimensions (University of North Dakota: University Relations).
2. "The University of North Dakota Experience". University of North Dakota.
3. (September 28, 2000). "UND to dedicate Barnes & Noble University Bookstore building Monday, Oct. 2". UND News.
4. Vandrovec, Terry. (January 3, 2005). "Gretzky down on future". Fargo Forum.
5. (2023-01-27). "School History {{!}} University of North Dakota".