Bismarck Moves on Two Projects - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Bismarck Moves on Two Projects

Train noise and parking are considered hindrances for downtown Bismarck.

But soon those two problems will be solved.

The city commission has decided two move ahead on a new parking ramp and a quiet rail zone.

They aren't new ideas.

Funding for the projects was frozen while a lawsuit was pending.

Now that is over the city has voted to get those projects moving.

Donnell Preskey has the story.

22 times a day, a blaring whistle interrupts downtown.

Dale Zimmerman of Peacock Alley says, "when lay on horn, startles people and not a good experience."

But the horns will be silenced soon.

Bismarck City Commissioners are moving ahead with plans to make this downtown a quiet rail zone.

Not only does the whistle disrupt dinner or a drink, but also an evening's sleep.

Radisson Sales Director, Lisa Moltzen says, "that's our number one guest complaint is the train whistle going through in the middle of the night. Hear it at 4 a.m. and can't get back to sleep."

Moltzen says some guests don't return because of the noise. It's also kept other hotels away.

"Something like the Hotel Donaldson would be great in downtown Bismarck, it would be a difficult sell when you have 22 trains coming through a day. So it opens up that opportunity," says Kate Herzog with the Bismarck Downtowners.

With the quiet rail zone, not only will downtown Bismarck be more peaceful but it will also probably spur additional development.

"Our downtown has very little residential right now, with that quiet rail investors will look at current or build. We need residential bad right now," says Zimmerman.

Commissioners also decided to move on plans for a new parking ramp at 6th and Thayer. The ramp will add 450 new spots downtown.

Zimmerman says, "for last 100 years 6 bars/restaurants downtown Bismarck in next 4 months go from 6 to 13 and we've added zero additional parking spots."

The ramp and quiet rail are big projects that have been on hold for three years.

The plans are being dusted off and are now on the "fast track" to be completed.

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The parking ramp on 3rd and Main has decided to make it's free after hours parking a permanent deal.

The ramp offers free parking from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The Downtowners say their next "big idea" for a project using TIF money will be for a downtown plaza or gathering place.