Minneapolis-based Oppidan Investment Company, a national property development firm, held a construction ceremony in late February at its Watford Plaza retail development in Watford City, N.D., to celebrate the beginning of construction at the site.
Watford Plaza is a 120,000-square-foot commercial development that will include Cash Wise Foods, Alco and Happy Rice Buffett.
During the ceremony, Oppidan also presented a check for $10,000 to the Watford City Chamber of Commerce to help fund development of the Wolf Pup Daycare Center, a child-care facility that will be located in the new affordable-housing community of Wolf Run Village. The facility will provide daycare services for up to 200 children.
Attending the ceremony were Watford City Mayor Brent Sanford, North Dakota Department of Commerce Commissioner Al Anderson, McKenzie County Job Development Authority Executive Director Gene Veeder and Chris Coborn, president and CEO of Coborn’s Inc.
“Oppidan has become a key community player in Watford City’s continued growth,” said Sanford. “The retail development they are bringing to our small town rival developments in North Dakota’s largest cities. In the short time they have been here, Oppidan has demonstrated its commitment by building a much-needed apartment complex and donating $10,000 toward our new 200-child daycare center.”
Watford Plaza is one of two developments Oppidan currently has underway in Watford City. The company began construction in October of Pheasant Ridge Apartments, a 42-unit apartment complex that will open in May. Oppidan has a number of additional real estate interests throughout North Dakota, including planned or completed residential and commercial developments in Dickinson, Minot, Stanley, Tioga and Williston. In total, Oppidan is investing more than $150 million in North Dakota’s Bakken region.
“We’re thrilled that construction is now well underway on this much-needed retail development in Watford City,” said Joe Ryan, president of Oppidan. “North Dakota’s population is growing exponentially right now, and providing residents with the services and housing they need is critical. We’re pleased to be a part of Watford City’s and North Dakota’s success.”
