Several readers have sent the link to me. I initially posted the link to the story deep in the blog where no one would see it but it would be there for archival purposes if necessary.
So, to let folks know my readers have not let me down, here is the story: some "firm" in Atlanta, Georgia whose CEO has never been to Williston (but does have a son who lives in Fargo and perhaps a map of North Dakota), has no permit, no zoning, no land, and probably no plan, is proposing to build a ..
a pyramid near Williston that would be the state’s tallest building and house 500 apartments, a mall, an entertainment center and more. New Cimarron City. Proposed by an investment group led by Camp and Associates, the pyramid would be 371 feet tall with apartments built into four sides and the interior filled with retail stores, a movie theater, bowling alley, restaurants and indoor parking for 1,200 vehicles.Several details caught my attention, but "371" feet is fairly interesting. Three hundred seventy one feet.
I could understand a 370-foot building or even a 375-foot building, but 371 feet?
The enclosed hockey rink may be the one redeeming feature.
The biggest concern I have for a 371-foot pyramid in western North Dakota is the risk of earthquakes, following that report of an earthquake southeast of Williston the other day.
To the best of my knowledge there has never been an "old" Cimarron City in North Dakota, but wiki provides the dot that explains the origin of the name:
Cimarron City was an American Western television series, starring George Montgomery as Matt Rockford and John Smith as Lane Temple, that aired on NBC from October 11, 1958 until April 4, 1959. The name "Cimarron City" refers to a boom town north of Oklahoma City rich in oil and gold which aspires to become the capital of the future state of Oklahoma, established in 1907.Upon hearing this proposal, it is rumored that Williams County Commissioner Daniel Kalil had four words to say about the proposal:
"Over my dead body."And then something about ambulances.
That's just a rumor. Started here. Don't quote me on that.
If New Cimarron City doesn't fly, there's always "Mayberry RFD." [RFD stands for "rural free delivery," not, "rural fire department," in this case.]
From wiki: Mayberry RFD's first episode had the highest ratings in recorded television history (up to premiere date in 1968), and the series was popular throughout its entire run. It was canceled in CBS's infamous "rural purge" of 1971.
Something tells me this newest story needs to be purged, too.
You know, on second thought, this could displace the "Mall of America" as the "go-to mall" in Minn-Dakota.
Is this a sign that the Bubble money is now NOTICING the Bakken? For 6 years drilling has gone on and NOW some people have gotten out a Map of the USA.
ReplyDeleteThat was my first thought when i read this stupid story..
Bubble money? Pyramid scheme perhaps...
DeleteWell, I've had my laugh for the day. I live in Minneapolis and I'm not worried about MOA being displaced by a pyramid. The "earthquake factor" alone would deter most sensible investors from being involved in this project :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, that was probably a mistake reminding folks about the earthquake risk in western North Dakota.
DeleteThe earthquake (as minor as it was and as seldom as they get them in ND) should not prevent anyone from building in ND...especially when you consider NY, Los Angelas build 80 to 100 story buildings. But building this thing in the country 30 miles east of Williston? I doubt they would get very many people interested in renting or purchasing apartments...I imagine the rent would have to be in the $5,000 and up range in order for the investor to even break even. If people want to build these things...build it in a town like WIlliston, Tioga or Watford, NOT in the middle of a wheat field 30 minutes from an existing town. I'm sure this has to be a joke or publicity stunt of sorts.
ReplyDeleteI think that's the "romance" of the story. Living in the country. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Think "green acres."
DeleteI'm waiting for the artist's conceptual drawing to show up in the "Enquirer." It should be quite a sight, "little pyramid on the prairie." The buffalo won't know what to make of it.
DeleteMaybe they are moving the Luxor Las Vegas to Williston. This would bring a casino to the area.
ReplyDelete"Little Luxor on the Prairie."
DeleteThe pyramid would be the main structure; small el-shaped bungalows radiating from the sides, could be called "Buffalo Wings."
The Luxor could fit well on the Fort Berthold Reservation.. they already have gaming..
ReplyDeleteDammit, I was going to suggest a "Luxor on the prairie " ©™. (and all variations and/or derivatives thereof but a person(s?) beat me to it
ReplyDeleteOh well, on to the next opportunity
This could be a whole new architecture for man camps. Just start with the ground floor then stack shipping containers for the higher floors. This would seem to be more stable than "conventional" multi floor camp even in the "earthquake prone" area of ndak. Maybe the governor could free up some oil tax $ or better yet secure a doe, HUD , dod. Doa etc etc grant or whatever form the fed gov. Ndak has shown ex exceptional ability to "farm" the US Taxpayer.
ReplyDeleteYes, North Dakota does a very, very good job of filling out the paperwork to obtain federal funding. No doubt it's an art form and correlates with college education (filling out government forms is not for the faint-hearted).
DeleteHaving said that, North Dakota is not as good as some states. "We" didn't even make the top five (5):
http://www.milliondollarwayblog.com/2012/09/we-knew-homeland-security-was-costing.html
Hawaii, for example was number 4; North Dakota was number 7 in federal funding per capita. Total federal dollars that come back to North Dakota is a drop in the bucket compared to what the more populous states get but North Dakota, as noted, does very, very well filling out the paperwork.
It gives us something to do on those long, cold winter nights. Oh, by the way, that reminds me: in another life, I spent hours/days/weeks filling out farm crop insurance forms for North Dakota farmers. It's quite an industry.
ReplyDeleteThink the story is actually very good for helping housing and commercial developments in the oil patch. With the need for housing, recreation, commercial space, I actually applaud these guys for their out-of-the-box idea. If it really costs only $102 million, that would be quite a feat, and cheaper than many other developments that would bring in that amount of housing, commercial, and recreational space. The problem is that the cost is probably grossly underestimated.
Moreso, the idea of an iconic building helps create a regional persona.
Believe it or not, such a building would be the second pyramids in ND, with the first one being the ABM pyramid near Nekoma.
Memphis also has a pyramid which houses a basketball arena.
I can't argue. It would be quite a building.
DeleteI think these are the problems from the perspective of those working in the area: these guys have not even visited the area. Not that that is important. Both the first moon landing and the the Normandy invasion were accomplished without first visiting the target area. But, word on the street from developers who wrote me when the story came out -- the credibility of the developers is questioned when they have not visited but mention they do have a son in Fargo and have once visited Minot. So, the idea may be a great idea, but their credibility is yet to be established.
Second, land in Williston is very, very expensive, but surface land is still affordable the farther one gets from the "city," as it is. Thirty miles east is still expensive, but not prohibitive. There is no reason a tall skyscraper needs to be built. If one figures 10 feet/floor, we are talking about a 37-story building when a four-story building gets a headline in Williston. A ten-story building in Williston would be ... well, interesting, to say the least. The tallest building in the state is the capitol building in Bismarck, 19 stories. The proposed pyramid would be twice that tall.
You are correct: an iconic building would create a regional persona -- but a 37-story building on the plains might be beyond the pale for the average North Dakota oil millionaire (see story that was just posted about ND oil millionaires).
A site with good photos of the ABM facility:
http://www.artificialowl.net/2008/10/abandoned-us-anti-ballistic-missile.html
It appears that pyramid is about 10 stories high. Wiki says it is "several stories tall."
Yes, here it is: that pyramid in Nekoma (now a ghost of itself, not in operation) is 125 feet high:
http://spillyourbrain.com/home/?p=102
So, the Bakken Pyramid on the Prairie would be almost three times higher. And that's the problem.
I don't think anyone has anything against pyramids; we have problems with folks who have never even visited the area proposing a building 37 stories high, where a four-story building attracts attention.