Grand Forks, North Dakota

:Grand Forks redirects here. See also: Grand Forks (disambiguation)

Geography

Grand Forks is located at 47°54'44" North, 97°3'17" West (47.912326, -97.054860){{GR|1}}.

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Grand Forks sits on the western bank of the Red River of the North in an area known as the Red River Valley. The term "Forks" refers to the forking of the Red River with the Red Lake River. This junction is located near downtown Grand Forks.

Related Topics:
Red River of the North - Red River Valley - Red Lake River

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 49.9 km² (19.2 mi²). 49.8 km² (19.2 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Related Topics:
United States Census Bureau - Km² - Mi²

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Since it is in one of the flattest parts of the world, the city has very few differences in elevation. There are no lakes in or near Grand Forks. The meandering Red River and the English Coulee flow through the community and provide some break in the terrain. The Red River Valley was once part of a gigantic lake called Lake Agassiz and the area where Grand Forks now stands was under water. The ancient beaches can still be seen west of town.

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Neighborhoods

Grand Forks has several distinct neighborhoods:

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Historic neighborhoods

• Downtown - The downtown area is full of historic buildings. It is the governmental center of the city and county. It also sees use as a gathering place for large festivals and a weekly farmers' market (during the summer months). There have been several attempts to bring back the major retail and office developments that used to dot the downtown landscape, but it has been a hard process. There are now a few shops and restaurants in the area. Recently, city leaders have been trying to increase the number of housing units in the downtown area.
• Near South Side Historic District - Located directly south of downtown, this area is filled with classic houses. Reeves Drive used to be the most fashionable address in the city and, to this day, it is still lined with grand old mansions exhibiting several unique architectural styles. Also located in this neighborhood are areas of orginal granitoid paving, several historic churches (including the Art Deco United Lutheran), and the newly-developed Lincoln Drive Park (formerly a residential neighborhood prior to the Flood of 1997). The Near South Side neighborhood was recently granted the "Historic District" designation by the National Register of Historic Places.
• University Avenue - This route spans the city from east to west. It is anchored by downtown on one end and the University of North Dakota on the other. Historic homes sit on the tree-lined avenue in between the two centers. A trolley used to run down the middle of University Avenue bringing students from the downtown area to the campus which, at that time, was located in the countryside.

Modern neighborhoods

• 32nd Avenue South - The area along this principal arterial is the present day commercial center of the city. Located here is the Columbia Mall - the largest enclosed shopping center in the region. The mall is anchored by Marshall Fields, Sears, and JCPenny. Also located in this area is the newer Grand Forks Marketplace - an open-air shopping center that is anchored by a large SuperTarget store. Most other major, national chains are also represented in locations along the 32nd Avenue South corridor.
• University Village - A commercial district surrounds the imposing Ralph Engelstad Arena in this northside neighborhood. With all buildings built to fit in with the nearby historic University of North Dakota campus, this area now includes a Barnes and Noble bookstore, a clinic, and several restuarants and stores. A large "wellness center" for UND students is currently being built on the Village's west side.