GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Colliers Mortgage has provided a $10.9 million HUD-insured loan for the acquisition and rehabilitation of a three-property, 182-unit affordable housing portfolio in Grand Forks. University Square comprises 60 units, Columbia Square South includes 72 units and Columbia Square East features 50 units for seniors. All units are covered by Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contracts. The properties will undergo $13.6 million in renovations. Additional funding comes from low-income housing tax credits, housing incentive funds from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and tax-exempt bonds, which were underwritten by Colliers Securities LLC. The borrower, Schuett Grand Forks LP, is an entity controlled by The Schuett Cos. Inc., which will also manage the properties. The 40-year loan features a 40-year amortization schedule.
MINOT, N.D. — Kraus-Anderson has completed construction of a 110,000-square-foot Scheels store at Dakota Square Mall in Minot. Designed by R.L. Engrebretson Architecture, the $20.6 million project involved the remodeling of an 85,000-square-foot former Sears store combined with a 25,000-square-foot space for a conference room, classroom and offices. The store offers a selection of sports gear, clothing and shoes. Shoppers can also enjoy Ginna’s Café, which serves soups, sandwiches and coffee, and Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory, which sells homemade fudge.
NEKOMA, N.D. — Bitzero Blockchain Inc. has agreed to acquire the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex (SRMSC) in Nekoma, a tiny city of fewer than 50 residents approximately 130 miles south of Winnipeg, Canada. The Cavalier County Job Development Authority (CCJDA) is selling the property to Bitzero, which plans to redevelop the asset into a highly secure data center. The project costs, including the acquisition, are estimated at $500 million. Commonly referred to as “The Pyramid,” the SRMSC is a Cold War-era military installation which was built in 1970 to protect the nearby Grand Forks Air Force Base from potential attack from Soviet missiles. The Pyramid became operational in 1975, featured two different kinds of radar systems and data processing equipment, and controlled 30 anti-ballistic missiles that could be launched in case of attack. The main building features three-foot-thick concrete walls. The missile site was abandoned after just eight months in operation, when Congress voted to deactivate it. The missiles and equipment were removed, but the concrete structures remain on the landscape. The CCJDA has owned the site’s tactical area since 2017, but voted unanimously to accept Bitzero’s bid proposal after a presentation from CEO Akbar Shamji. Bitzero’s bid proposal for the site included a …
FARGO, N.D. — JLL Capital Markets has negotiated the sale of Woodrow Apartments in Fargo for $19 million. The 97-unit apartment complex is located at 1222 4th Ave. and is the adaptive reuse of the 100-year-old Woodrow Wilson School. Amenities include a gym, community lounge, outdoor patio and heated underground parking. Adam Haydon, Mox Gunderson, Dan Linnell and Josh Talberg of JLL represented the seller, Fargo-based Kilbourne Group. Idaho-based Graystoke Capital Partners purchased the asset.
MINOT, N.D. — Capstone has negotiated the $6.4 million sale of The Cobblestone Apartments in Minot, which is located in central North Dakota. Built in 2012, the 76-unit apartment community is located near Minot Air Force Base and Minot State University. Kevin Phelan of Capstone represented the seller, which also developed the property. The asset sold to an out-of-state buyer.
MINOT, N.D. — ESH Strategies Franchise LLC has opened the first Extended Stay America Suites hotel in North Dakota. The three-story, 66-room hotel is located in Minot. Elevation LLC is the property owner and National Hospitality Services is the operator. The hotel features a market, onsite bar, business center, meeting space, complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi and an outdoor pavilion. The 440-square-foot suites are equipped with refrigerators, stovetops, cookware, dishes and walk-in closets.
FARGO, N.D. — Amazon has opened its first fulfillment center in the state of North Dakota. The more than 1 million-square-foot facility opened on Sunday, Sept. 19 in Fargo and is expected to create more than 1,000 full-time jobs. Associates pick, pack and ship bulky or large-sized items such as patio furniture, outdoor equipment and rugs. Amazon also operates a delivery station in West Fargo.
INDIANA, NORTH DAKOTA AND TEXAS — Hicks Ventures, a Houston-based privately held development company, has sold three net-leased inpatient rehabilitation facilities for a combined $86.8 million. The PAM/Cobalt Rehabilitation Hospital in Fargo, N.D., sold to Dallas-based MedProperties. The Cobalt Rehabilitation Hospital in Clarksville, Ind., as well as the Cobalt Rehabilitation Hospital in El Paso, Texas, sold to Medical Properties Trust Inc. Hicks developed all three properties from 2018 to 2019. Each hospital offers 42 patient beds, including 12 traumatic brain injury centers. Hammond Hanlon Camp represented Hicks in the transactions.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Greystone has provided an $18.3 million HUD 223(f) loan for the refinancing of Aspen Lofts Apartments in Grand Forks. Built in 2016, the 150-unit multifamily property offers studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Amenities include a clubhouse, fitness center, game room, dog park and picnic area. Adam Yitzhaky and Ilan Bassali of Greystone originated the loan on behalf of the borrower, Northridge Group. The 35-year loan is fully amortizing and features a fixed interest rate. Loan proceeds will also be used ongoing maintenance.
SPIRITWOOD, N.D. — ADM (NYSE: ADM) has unveiled plans to build a new soybean crushing plant and refinery to meet demand from food, feed, industrial and biofuel customers. Located in Spiritwood, which is about 85 miles west of Fargo, the approximately $350 million complex will have the capacity to process 150,000 bushels of soybeans per day. ADM expects to complete the facility in time for the 2023 harvest. ADM also plans to invest approximately $25 million to expand refining and storage capacity at its crush and refining property in Quincy, Ill. The expanded facility is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2022. ADM is an agricultural origination and processing company based in Chicago.