A riverfront festival grounds representing collaboration between a handful of local entities, local government and state entities was awarded a multi-million-dollar funding grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce on November 6.
The riverfront development project was one of three projects to receive $4 million in grant funding. Twenty-five million dollars was spread across 14 projects received to expand tourism in the state. The grant opportunity had substantial demand, as a total of 81 projects, representing 42 communities, applied for funding.
Earlier this year, representatives from the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation (FALF, also known as Missouri Valley Heritage Alliance) and AGL Landscape Architects (AGL) approached the City of Bismarck to ask for collaborative permission to apply for grants that would begin the build-out of the City of Bismarck’s “River District”. Grant funding was awarded for the first publicly spirited project, the first riverfront festival grounds in the history of Bismarck. That project would diversify our community’s river access options while building density of experience by creating a tourism asset and quality of life enhancement. Components of the festival grounds could include a bandshell, programmable lawn space, public beach, boardwalk and fishing piers with commercial docks, outdoor food court for food trucks, splash pad and playground equipment.
“The Missouri River has always been the Main Street of Bismarck and Mandan,” said FALF’s Executive Director Aaron Barth. “This project is a reflection of that concept. And it is a reflection of partnerships and collaboration. Heritage, history, arts and culture will be a focus of this riverfront festival grounds, elements that are intrinsic to the quality of life for all residents and visitors.”
“This phase of funding ensures this project will advance,” said Jake Axtman, with AGL. “We can now meet and deliver on the 2022 City of Bismarck and FALF riverfront revitalization plan that set the groundwork for these next steps.”
FALF, AGL Landscape Architects, the City of Bismarck, Bismarck Parks and Recreation District, Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau, the North Dakota Governor’s Office, the North Dakota State Legislature, the North Dakota Tourism Department, and the North Dakota Department of Commerce have all played roles in bringing the project forward. As part of the application process, in August the Bismarck City Commission unanimously agreed to pledge the 4.4 acres of Keelboat Park so long as funding was received. The land is valued at $2 million. As part of the donation, the City of Bismarck included a clause that the land would revert to the city if the group was unable to find adequate funding within five years or if the first phase of construction did not occur within seven years. In August 2023, the Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau also unanimously voted to award the project $500,000.
“This project appears to have unlimited potential for the City of Bismarck,” said Mayor Mike Schmitz. “We have been excited to be a partner in these early stages of the project and look forward to watching it mature from a concept to a significant community asset that we can all enjoy.”
In addition to the North Dakota Department of Commerce Destination Development fund, the group has identified additional federal grant opportunities that they are now pursuing.
More information about this project is available online.
