Walchester Neighborhood

Welcome to the Walchester Neighborhood web page. This page has been developed to encourage and enhance communication with neighborhood residents on the redevelopment process in this area. Why Walchester Neighborhood? While this area has no official name or boundaries, “Walchester” is a convenient shorthand based on Walchester Place Addition. This is the name of the subdivision, developed in 1946, that held the majority of the lots to be redeveloped.

SURVEYS

In early July, a brief neighborhood survey was taken. To see the complete survey and tabulated results, click this link. Here’s quick summary of those results:
  • Changing policy to allow combining lots was favored by 56% of respondents and opposed by 35% (9% were neutral or skipped the question).
  • Opinion on negotiating price was similarly split: 53% felt the City should not sell for anything less than market value, while 41% were comfortable with some kind of discount.
Over 85% were satisfied with the style, quality and pace of redevelopment, but only 62% were satisfied with the level of maintenance the vacant lots receive.

SURVEY #1

Survey #1 results were discussed by City staff and review committee members. Since Survey #1 showed solid but not overwhelming support for combining lots, a short follow-up Survey #2 explored another option: Rather than allowing significantly larger lots, areas could be replatted such that the six adjoining vacant lots on the west side of Walnut would become five and/or the five lots on the west side of Chestnut would become four. This would reduce the number of building sites but widen them by about 20%. To view the proposed lot layout, including the estimated market value of the larger lots, click this link.

Urban Development
1405 1st Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203
Ph. (701)746-2551

SURVEY #2

Survey #2 showed that 77% of respondents support the proposed change, 9% oppose it because the new lots are too large, 5% oppose it because the new lots are too small, and 9% are neutral. Based on this feedback, the review committee recommends going ahead with the proposed replat. This recommendation will be heard by the Finance & Development Committee on August 22, with City Council expected to take action on September 6. Both meetings are open to the public and televised on Channel 2 (meetings start at 5:30 p.m.) If the replat is approved, it is anticipated that the City will discontinue sales of these lots as they exist today, then publicly re-advertise the replatted lots with an updated Request for Proposals.

STAFF
Meredith Richards -
mrichards@grandforksgov.com




City of Grand Forks
255 N 4th Street * Grand Forks, ND 58203 * Phone (701) 746-INFO