The large vacant space formerly occupied by Macy's at Grand Forks' Columbia Mall has a new owner. Midtown Ventures, a local development group, has purchased the property and is exploring plans for a mixed-use redevelopment that could bring new life to the prominent retail location.
The acquisition marks a significant step for the mall, which has seen the anchor store sit empty for years. The new owners have a history of repurposing large retail buildings in the city, suggesting a strategic redevelopment is on the horizon.
Key Takeaways
- Midtown Ventures, a local partnership, has purchased the former Macy's building at Columbia Mall.
- The group is considering a mixed-use development, potentially combining commercial retail with storage solutions.
- Midtown Ventures previously redeveloped a former Kmart into a successful indoor storage facility.
- The project's first step is a rezoning request, which is scheduled for a hearing with the Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission.
A New Future for a Major Retail Space
The former Macy's department store, a key anchor at the Columbia Mall, will not remain vacant for much longer. Its sale to Midtown Ventures was confirmed, ending a period of uncertainty for the property. The building was listed for sale at $1.9 million on the Dakota Commercial website before the purchase.
Midtown Ventures is a joint entity formed by two well-known local business families: the Crary family, which operates Crary Real Estate, and the Haug family, known for managing several storage facilities in the Grand Forks area. The purchase was completed using private funds, though the final sale price has not been disclosed.
Russel Crary of Crary Real Estate explained the partnership's interest in the property. "We’ve done pretty much everything in retail, commercial, multifamily, storage – kind of done it all," he said. "We think there’s an opportunity."
A Proven Track Record in Adaptive Reuse
This is not the first time Midtown Ventures has taken on the challenge of a vacant big-box store. The group has direct experience in transforming such properties into new, viable businesses. Their most notable project was the conversion of the former Kmart building in Grand Forks.
From Retail Giant to Modern Storage
In 2022, Midtown Ventures successfully redeveloped the shuttered Kmart store into Lifestyle Storage. This facility is a modern, indoor, drive-through self-storage center, demonstrating a creative approach to repurposing large, single-use retail structures that have become difficult to fill.
The success of the Kmart project provides a blueprint for what might be possible at the old Macy's location. It showcases the developers' ability to identify new uses for legacy retail spaces, a growing challenge for communities across the country.
Mixed-Use Development and Community Input
While final plans are still being developed, the vision for the Macy's space is ambitious. Crary indicated that the ideal outcome would be a mixed-use facility that combines different types of businesses under one roof, similar to their previous project.
"We’re in conversations with other businesses, and if anybody from the community has input, for that matter," Crary stated. "We’d love to have it be, optimally, a mixed-use development similar to Kmart."
This approach could involve a combination of commercial tenants and modern storage solutions. The developers are actively seeking input and partnerships to determine the best layout and tenant mix for the expansive building. This flexibility allows them to adapt to current market demands rather than searching for a single large retailer to fill the entire space.
Economic Impact and Next Steps
The redevelopment is expected to have a positive ripple effect on the Columbia Mall and the surrounding commercial area. By taking a large, vacant property off the market, the developers believe it will increase the value and desirability of other available spaces.
"It makes all the other spaces a little more desirable because there’s less. It’s basic supply and demand," Crary noted. "We’re hoping this helps drive momentum for just overall development."
The immediate next step for the project is a formal rezoning process. A first reading for the necessary zoning change is on the agenda for the Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission. If the commission approves the initial reading, it will require a second approval before being passed to the Grand Forks City Council.
The City Council would then hold its own first and second readings before the rezoning is finalized. This multi-step public process ensures that the proposed changes align with the city's long-term development plans and allows for public review before construction and redevelopment can begin. The outcome of these meetings will be critical in shaping the final form of the project and the future of this key commercial property in Grand Forks.
