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.
