Grand Forks, North Dakota

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Grand Forks
settlement_type = City
nickname = "The Grand Cities"
"The Forks"
"The Sunflake City"
motto = A Place of Excellence

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imagesize =
image_caption = Town Square in downtown Grand Forks


image_



mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in North Dakota


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = North Dakota
subdivision_name2 = Grand Forks
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Michael Brown
established_title = Founded
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date = June 15, 1870
established_date2 = February 22, 1881
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 19.2
area_total_km2 = 49.9
area_land_sq_mi = 19.2
area_land_km2 = 49.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_urban_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
population_as_of = 2007
population_total = 51740
population_metro = 97691
population_urban =
population_density_km2 = 989.8
population_density_sq_mi = 2563.0
population_blank1_title =
population_blank1 =
population_note =
timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
latd = 47 |latm = 55 |lats = 31 |latNS = N
longd = 97 |longm = 1 |longs = 57 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 257
elevation_ft = 843
website = [http://www.grandforksgov.com www.grandforksgov.com]
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 58201-58208
area_code = 701
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 38-32060GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1029197GR|3
footnotes =

Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Grand Forks County. Its population was estimated at 51,740,cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/SUB-EST2007-4.html |title=Population Estimates for All Places: 2000 to 2007 |accessdate=2008-07-20 |format= |work=U.S. Census Bureau ] and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 97,691 in July 2007.cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv
title=Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 |accessdate=2008-07-20 |format= |work=U.S. Census Bureau ] Grand Forks, along with its twin city of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, forms the center of the "Grand Forks, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area", which is often called "Greater Grand Forks" or "The Grand Cities".

Located on the western banks of the Red River of the North in an extremely flat region known as the Red River Valley,cite web |url=http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/canoeing/redriver/index.html |title=Red River of the North – State Canoe Routes |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ] the city is prone to flooding and was struck by the devastating Red River Flood of 1997.cite web |url=http://www.draves.com/gf/ |title=The Grand Forks Flood |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=Draves.com ] Originally called "Les Grandes Fourches" by French fur traders, Grand Forks was founded in 1870 by steamboat captain Alexander Griggs and incorporated on February 22, 1881.cite web |url=http://www.grandforksgov.com/gfgov/home.nsf/Pages/History |title=Grand Forks History |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=City of Grand Forks, North Dakota ] Its location at the fork of the Red River and the Red Lake River gives the city its name.

Historically dependent on local agriculture, the city's economy now encompasses higher education, defense, health care, manufacturing, food processing, and scientific research.cite web |url=http://www.und.nodak.edu/dept/grad/html/gfinfo.html |title=Community of Grand Forks |accessdate=2007-06-11 |format= |publisher=University of North Dakota ] cite web |url=http://www.state.nd.us/jsnd/docs/lmi/legrand_forks.pdf |title=Grand Forks' 50 Largest Employers |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format=PDF| work=State of North Dakota ] Grand Forks is served by Grand Forks International Airport and Grand Forks Air Force Base, while the city's University of North Dakota is the oldest institution of higher education in the state.cite web |url=http://www.und.edu/aboutund/ |title=About UND |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=University of North Dakota ] The Alerus Centercite web |url=http://www.aleruscenter.com/?page=history
title=History of Alerus Center |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=Alerus Center ] and Ralph Engelstad Arenacite web |url=http://www.theralph.com/asp/default.asp?p=13
title=History of Ralph Engelstad Arena |accessdate=2007-06-08 |format= |work=Ralph Engelstad Arena ] host athletic and other events, while the North Dakota Museum of Art and Chester Fritz Auditorium are the city's largest cultural venues.cite web |url=http://www.cfa.und.edu/ |title=Chester Fritz Auditorium |accessdate=2007-06-11 |format= |publisher=Chester Fritz Auditorium ]

History

Prior to settlement by Europeans or Americans, the area where the city now sits — at the forks of the Red River and Red Lake River — had been an important meeting and trading point for Native Americans. Early French explorers, fur trappers, and traders called the area "Les Grandes Fourches" meaning "The Grand Forks". By the 1740s, "Les Grandes Fourches" was an important trading post for French fur trappers. A U.S. post office was established on the site on June 15, 1870 and the name was changed to "Grand Forks." Alexander Griggs, a steamboat captain, is regarded as being "The Father of Grand Forks." [cite web |url=http://www.prairiepublic.org/programs/datebook/bydate/03/1003/102603.jsp |title=Dakota Datebook, October 20, 2003: Griggs and Grand Forks |accessdate=2007-06-08 |format= |work=North Dakota Public Radio] Griggs' steamboat froze in the Red River on a voyage in late 1870, forcing the captain and his crew to spend the winter camping at Grand Forks. Griggs platted the community in 1875 and Grand Forks was officially incorporated on February 22, 1881. The city quickly grew after the arrival of the Great Northern Railway in 1880 and the Northern Pacific Railway in 1887. [cite web |url=http://grandforkshistory.com/index_files/page0002.htm |title=Historic Grand Forks |accessdate=2007-06-08 |format= |work=Grand Forks County Historical Society] In 1883, the University of North Dakota was established, six years before North Dakota was formally recognized as an independent state born from the Dakota Territory.The first half of the 1900s saw steady growth and the development of new neighborhoods farther south and west of Downtown Grand Forks. The 1920s saw the construction of the state-owned North Dakota Mill and Elevator on the north side of the city. [cite web |url=https://www.ndmill.com/ndmill/new/history.cfm |title=History |accessdate=2007-06-08 |format= |work=North Dakota Mill and Elevator ] In 1954, Grand Forks was chosen as the site for an Air Force base. [cite web |url=http://public.grandforks.amc.af.mil/documents/History2003.pdf |title=History of the Grand Forks Air Force Base |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format=PDF| work= ] Grand Forks Air Force Base brought thousands of new jobs and residents to the community. The military base and the University of North Dakota would become integral pieces of the city's economy. The second half of the 20th century saw Grand Forks spreading further away from the older part of town. Interstate 29 was built on the western side of the city and two enclosed shopping malls – South Forks Plaza and Columbia Mall – were built on the south side. [cite web |url=http://www.und.nodak.edu/dept/library/Collections/og1242.html |title=Grand Forks, Mayor's Office |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=University of North Dakota ]

The city was struck by a severe flood in 1997, causing extensive damage. With Fargo upstream from the bulk of the waters and Winnipeg with its flood control structures, Grand Forks became the hardest hit city in the Red River Valley. During the height of the flooding, a major fire also destroyed eleven buildings in the downtown area. Many neighborhoods had to be demolished to make way for a new levee system, which was ultimately completed ten years later. The land bordering the Red River was turned into a massive park known as the Greater Grand Forks Greenway. Since the flood, Grand Forks has seen both public and private developments throughout town. Two new, large sports venues opened in 2001, including the Alerus Center and the Ralph Engelstad Arena. In 2007, the Winnipeg-based Canad Inns hotel chain opened a 13-story hotel and waterpark adjacent to the Alerus Center.cite web |url=http://www.canadinns.com/grandforks/
title=Grand Forks |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=Canad Inns ] As of 2007, Grand Forks has a larger population than it did before the 1997 flood and area employment and taxable sales have also surpassed pre-flood levels.cite web |url=http://www.minneapolisfed.org/pubs/fedgaz/06-09/cover.cfm |title=High and dry |accessdate=2007-06-08 |format= |work=Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis]

Geography

Grand Forks is located at coor dms|47|54|44|N|97|3|17|W|city (47.912326, -97.054860)GR|1, convert|74|mi|km north of the Fargo-Moorhead areacite web |url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Grand-Forks-North-Dakota.html |title=Grand Forks, North Dakota (ND) Detailed Profile |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=City-Data.com ] and convert|145|mi|km south of Winnipeg, Manitoba. [cite web |url=http://www.visitgrandforks.com/main.php/meeting_location |title=Travel to Grand Forks, ND and East Grand Forks, MN |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=Greater Grand Forks Convention & Visitors Bureau ] Grand Forks is situated on the western bank of the Red River of the North in an area known as the Red River Valley. The term "forks" refers to the forking of the Red River with the Red Lake River located near downtown Grand Forks. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 49.9 km² (19.2 mi²), all land. Since it is in one of the flattest parts of the world, the city has few differences in elevation. There are no lakes in the city limits of Grand Forks, but the meandering Red River and the English Coulee flow through the community and provide some break in the terrain. [cite web |url=http://www.und.nodak.edu/aboutund/landmarks.html |title=Campus landmarks |accessdate=2007-06-08 |format= |work=University of North Dakota ] The Red River Valley is the result of an ancient glacier carving its way south during the last Ice Age. Once the glacier receded, it formed a glacial lake called Lake Agassiz. The ancient beaches can still be seen as rolling hills west of the city. [cite web |url=http://www.und.edu/instruct/eng/fkarner/pages/rebound.htm |title=The Red River Valley:Tilted Shorelines and Rebounding Lake Beds |accessdate=2007-06-08 |format= |work=University of North Dakota ]

Climate

Due to its location in the Great Plains and its distance from both mountains and oceans, the city has an extreme continental climate, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4. This type of climate is distinguished by four very distinct seasons and great variation in temperatures over very short periods of time. As there are no nearby mountain ranges or bodies of water to ameliorate the climatic conditions, Grand Forks lies exposed to numerous weather systems including bitterly cold Arctic high pressure systems. The city is known for its long, cold, and snowy winters. In sharp contrast, summers are warm to hot and often quite humid with frequent thunderstorms. Depending on the year, warm weather can continue beyond to October, or come to an abrupt end soon after Labor Day. Spring and autumn are short and highly variable seasons. The lowest temperature ever recorded was -43 °F (-42 °C) on January 30, 2004 and the highest temperature ever recorded was 109 °F (43 °C) on July 6, 1936.

Grand Forks has an active sister city program designed to encourage cultural and economic exchanges. [cite web |url=http://www.grandforksgov.com/gfgov/home.nsf/Pages/Sister+Cities |title=Sister Cities |accessdate=2007-06-11 |format= |publisher=City of Grand Forks ] Grand Forks' first sister city was Ishim in the Soviet Union. The relationship with the Siberian city formally began in 1984 during the Cold War. Sometime in the late 1990s, however, political and economic turmoil in Russia ended the relationship.cite news|last=Lee|first=Yangkyoung|title=$5 million godsend|work=Grand Forks Herald|date=2007-05-02|url=|accessdate=2007-06-05] While the relationship with Ishim faded, Grand Forks found a new sister in Awano, Japan. An informal relationship began in 1994 when the school districts of both cities began exchanging students. In 1998, the two formally proclaimed themselves sister cities. The most concrete evidence of the relationship between the two is a Japanese rock garden in Grand Forks' Sertoma Park and a sculpture of an American bison in an Awano park. [cite news |last=Bakken|first=Ryan|title=Japanese Residents Will Dedicate New Garden|work=Grand Forks Herald| date=2003-10-21| url = | ] However, the annexation of Awano by a larger city has led to the end of the sister city relationship. [cite news| last = | first = | coauthors = | title = GF's family gets smaller | work = Grand Forks Herald|date = 2006-02-19 | url = | ] Grand Forks' relationship with Dickinson, North Dakota began in 2002, when delegations from each city visited the other. [cite news|last=Davis|first=Lisa|title=Sister city delegates visit GF|work=Grand Forks Herald|date=2003-10-19|url=http://www.prairiepublic.org/features/riverwatch/news/herald/10_19_03.html |accessdate=2007-06-05 ] Grand Forks Mayor Michael Brown has said he thinks having friends in western North Dakota, which typically has diverging interests from eastern cities, could help at the state legislature. [cite news | last = Davis | first = Lisa | coauthors = | title = Sister city delegates visit GF | work = Grand Forks Herald|date = 2003-10-19 | url = http://www.prairiepublic.org/features/riverwatch/news/herald/10_19_03.html | accessdate = 2007-06-05 ] Sarpsborg, Norway became a sister city in 2005 following several exchanges among leaders from both cities. The city became interested in building a relationship with Sarpsborg because many Grand Forks residents have Norwegian heritage. [cite news | last = Tran | first = Tu-Uyen | coauthors = | title = Touring Norway: Year of anticipation | work = Grand Forks Herald |date = 2003-11-13 | url = http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=37884 | accessdate = ]

Education

Higher education

Grand Forks is the home of the University of North Dakota (UND), the largest and oldest university in the state and region. UND has nearly 13,000 enrolled students and is the home of the only schools of medicine and law in the state. UND is also known for its top-ranked John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. Together, UND and North Dakota State University make up the Red River Valley Research Corridor.

Across the river in East Grand Forks is Northland Community and Technical College, a 2-year school. [cite web |url=http://www.northlandcollege.edu/about/ |title=About NCTC |accessdate=2007-06-14 |format= |publisher=Northland Community and Technical College ] Northland has been experiencing steady growth in recent years, with the addition of a sister campus in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and increasing distance education programs. A major expansion and renovation of the Northland building has been proposed due to rising enrollments. [cite news|last=Dodds|first=David|title=Northland Community and Technical College: School tuition to go up 8.6 percent|work=Grand Forks Herald|date=2006-01-21|url = http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/?id=39723|accessdate=] Also, in nearby Crookston, Minnesota is the University of Minnesota Crookston which is a four year school.

Primary and secondary schools

The Grand Forks Public Schools system includes both the school district of Grand Forks and the school district of the Grand Forks Air Force Base. 7,600 students attend schools in the school system. There are twelve elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high schools: Central High and Red River High. The Grand Forks Public Schools system also operates an alternative high school and an adult education program. Grand Forks Public Schools is governed by a nine member board of elected representatives, separate from the city and county governments.cite web |url=http://www.gfschools.org/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=694&sc_id=1154487575&PHPSESSID=33aa91ee35c2ab2b137a7ca9a3f59dbc |title=About the GFPS |accessdate=2007-06-14 |format= |publisher=Grand Forks Public Schools ]

There are also several primary schools operating in the community that are not a part of the public schools system. Grand Forks is the home of the state-operated North Dakota School for the Blind. [cite web |url=http://www.ndvisionservices.com/ |title=North Dakota Vision Services, Home Page |accessdate=2007-06-14 |format= |publisher=North Dakota Vission Services ] There are two Catholic schools in Grand Forks, both offering classes from kindergarten through 6th grade. [cite web |url=http://www.stmichaels.k12.nd.us/history.htm |title=St. Michael's Elementary School |accessdate=2007-06-14 |format= |publisher=St. Michael's Elementary School ] [cite web |url=http://www.holyfamilygrandforks.parishesonline.com/scripts/HostedSites/org.asp?p=17&ID=12945 |title=School |accessdate=2007-06-14 |format= |publisher=Holy Family Parish ] The only private high school in the metropolitan area is Sacred Heart High School, a Catholic school, which is in East Grand Forks. [cite web |url=http://www.sacredheartegf.net/school/ |title=School Information |accessdate=2007-06-14 |format= |publisher=Sacred Heart Catholic School ] There is a non-denominational Christian elementary and middle school operating in East Grand Forks. [cite web |url=http://riversidechristianschool.org/ |title=RCS Home Page |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=Riverside Christian School ]

Culture

Arts and theatre

Due at least in part to the presence of the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks offers a variety of arts and cultural events.cite web |url=http://www.visitgrandforks.com/main.php/arts |title=Arts |accessdate=2007-06-11 |format= |publisher=Greater Grand Forks Convention & Visitors Bureau ] [cite web |url=http://www.novac.org/ |title=Northern Valley Arts Council |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=] [cite web |url=http://www.culturepulse.org/ |title=CulturePulse |accessdate=2007-06-11 |format= |publisher=CulturePulse.org ] The North Dakota Museum of Art, located on the UND campus, brings many nationally touring exhibits to Grand Forks as well as the work of regional artists.cite web |url=http://www.ndmoa.com/History.html |title=NDMOA History |accessdate=2007-06-11 |format= |work=North Dakota Museum of Art] In addition to the Museum of Art, UND offers other gallery space for student art. UND also has active Theater Arts and Music departments. Students stage theater productions each year at the Burtness Theater on campus.cite web |url=http://www.und.edu/dept/dtheater/burtness.html |title=Burtness Theater |accessdate=2007-06-11 |format= |publisher=University of North Dakota ] UND's Chester Fritz Auditorium also brings music and theater events to Grand Forks including national touring companies of Broadway musicals.

The Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra has been performing since 1905 [cite web |url=http://www.ggfso.org/ |title=Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra |accessdate=2007-06-11 |format= |publisher=Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra ] and the Grand Forks Master Chorale was formed in 1983. Both groups stage productions each year at various locations in the community. The North Dakota Ballet Company is headquartered in Grand Forks and often performs at the Chester Fritz Auditorium. [cite web |url=http://learn.aero.und.edu/organization.asp?SideBarID=30023 |title=North Dakota Ballet Company |accessdate=2007-06-11 |format= |publisher=North Dakota Ballet Company ] The Grand Forks City Band was formed in 1886 and still stages shows year round.

The Empire Arts Center, in downtown Grand Forks, is home to several cultural events throughout the year. The Empire, a 1919 movie theater, was restored after the Flood of 1997 and now includes performance space, a large movie screen, a gallery, and space for artists.cite web |url=http://www.empireartscenter.com/ |title=Empire Arts Center |accessdate=2007-06-11 |format= |publisher=Empire Arts Center ] The Fire Hall Theatre, also located downtown, is used by community members to put on several theater productions each year. The Summer Performing Arts Company (SPA) is a popular summer arts program for area K-12 students. SPA stages one or two major musicals and one or two smaller shows each summer. [cite web |url=http://www.spacompany.org/ |title=Summer Performing Arts Company |accessdate=2007-06-11 |format= |publisher=Summer Performing Arts Company ] The Myra Museum, on Belmont Road near the Greater Grand Forks Greenway, is a small history museum with exhibits that trace local history from the Ice Age, through settlement, and into the modern age. Other buildings on the Myra Museum grounds include the original 1868 Grand Forks Post Office, a 1917 one room school, and the historic Campbell House. [cite web |url=http://grandforkshistory.com/index_files/page0001.htm |title=Myra Museum |accessdate=2007-06-20 |format= |publisher=Grand Forks County Historical Society ]

ports

College sports are popular in Grand Forks, with an intense following for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux. The UND men's ice hockey team competes in the NCAA Division I level and has been the Frozen Four championship team seven times and the runner-up five times. [cite web |url=http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/6History/frozen_four.htm |title=Frozen Four History |accessdate=2007-06-21 |format= |publisher=Inside College Hockey ] The UND football team was the 2001 NCAA Division II champion and the 2003 runner-up. In 2006, the school announced that it would be moving its entire athletic program to Division I. [cite web |url=http://chronicle.com/news/article/1528/fighting-sioux-name-prevents-north-dakota-from-playing-against-some-teams |title='Fighting Sioux' Name Prevents North Dakota From Playing Against Some Teams |accessdate=2007-06-21 |format= |publisher=The Chronicle ]

Grand Forks is home to two major indoor athletic arenas. The city-owned Alerus Center opened in 2001. The Alerus Center is home to the Fighting Sioux football team and also plays host to a variety of other events including major concerts. The Alerus Center is the largest arena and convention center complex in the upper Midwest area. [cite web |url=http://www.visitgrandforks.com/main.php/alerus_convention |title=Grand Forks, North Dakota Alerus Center |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=Greater Grand Forks Convention & Visitors Bureau ] The Fighting Sioux hockey teams compete in the Ralph Engelstad Arena, located in the University Village district of the UND campus. "The Ralph" as it is commonly called was funded by UND benefactor Ralph Engelstad and opened in 2001 at a cost of over $100 million dollars. Adjacent to the Ralph Engelstad Arena is the smaller Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. "The Betty" is the home of the Fighting Sioux basketball and Fighting Sioux volleyball teams.

Recreation

The Grand Forks Park District, established in 1905, operates 14 neighborhood parks, 28 tennis courts, and a swimming pool. The parks include features such as playgrounds, baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, and picnic areas. Sertoma Park includes a Japanese garden. The Park District also operates eleven outdoor skating rinks and indoor ice arenas: Purpur Arena, Eagles Arena, Blueline Club Arena, and Gambucci Arena. The district also owns the Center Court Fitness Club. [cite web |url=http://www.gfparks.org/home.cfm?page=parks.html |title=Parks and Facilities |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=Grand Forks Park District ]

There are several golf courses in the city and the surrounding area. [cite web |url=http://www.golfnow.com/course-directory/metro-areas/grand-forks-golf-courses/|title=Grand Forks Golf Courses |accessdate=2007-10-22] The Park District operates the 18-hole, Arnold Palmer-designed, links style King's Walk Golf Course [cite web |url=http://www.kingswalk.org/ |title=King's Walk Golf Course |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=Grand Forks Park District ] and the historic, 9-hole Lincoln Golf Course. [cite web |url=http://www.gfparks.org/home.cfm?page=golf.html |title=Lincoln Golf Course |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=Grand Forks Park District ] The University of North Dakota operates the 9-hole Ray Richards Golf Course. [cite web |url=http://www.rrgc.und.edu/ |title=Ray Richards Golf Course |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=University of North Dakota ] The 18-hole Grand Forks Country Club is located directly south of the city. [cite web |url=http://www.gfcountryclub.com/ |title=Welcome |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=Grand Forks Country Club ] There are also golf courses in nearby East Grand Forks, Minnesota [cite web |url=http://www.minnesotagolf.com/tee_times_online/Region5.asp?Region=5 |title=Course Directory |accessdate=2007-06-06 |format= |work=Minnesota Golf ] and Manvel, North Dakota. [cite web |url=http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/golf-course.asp?course=14502 |title= Manvel River's Edge Golf Course |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work= ]

The Greater Grand Forks Greenway is a large park that runs the length of the Red River in the city. It includes an extensive path system, large festival grounds, ski trails, and wildflower gardens. [cite web |url=http://www.grandforksgov.com/greenway/index.htm |title=The Greenway |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=City of Grand Forks ] Including the Greenway, the bicycle route system in Grand Forks is over convert|43|mi|km long. [cite web |url=http://www.visitgrandforks.com/main.php/activities |title=Activities |accessdate=2007-06-06|work=Greater Grand Forks Convention & Visitors Bureau ] These paths are located in The Greenway, adjacent to major streets, and on the banks of the English Coulee. There are also two pedestrian/bike bridges that span the Red River. [cite web |url=http://www.grandforksgov.com/2005%20Bike%20Map.pdf |title=Map of Grand Forks bike paths |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format=PDF| work=City of Grand Forks, North Dakota ]

Infrastructure

Transportation

Grand Forks International Airport (GFK, KGFK) is served by Northwest Airlines with several daily round trips to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The airport is a major distribution center for FedEx, which conducts flights daily with Boeing 727 and Cessna Caravan aircraft. The Cessna Caravans transport packages to outlying areas of the state. The airport is also one of the busiest airports in the country, due mainly to the presence of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences of the University of North Dakota. [cite web |url=http://www.gfkairport.com/html/02_airservice.html |title=Airport Information |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=Grand Forks International Airport (GFK)] The BNSF Railway runs track in several directions in and around the city. Amtrak passenger service on the Empire Builder line heads westbound daily at 4:52 am and eastbound daily at 12:57 am. The Empire Builder stops at the Grand Forks Amtrak station. [cite web |url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&code=GFK |title=Stations – Grand Forks, ND (GFK) |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=Amtrak ]

Three federal highways pass through Grand Forks: U.S. Highway 2, Interstate 29, and U.S. Highway 81. U.S. Highway 2, known as Gateway Drive in the city, runs east to west through the northern part of town and is a four lane highway. The highway is the primary connection between Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, the Grand Forks Air Force Base, Grand Forks International Airport, and nearby Crookston, Minnesota. Interstate 29 runs north to south along the western part of the city, officially multiplexed with U.S. Highway 81 in the Grand Forks area. The U.S. Highway 81 business route, Washington Street and 32nd Avenue, runs through many of the city's major commercial districts.cite web |url=http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&pop
|title=Map of Grand Forks, ND |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=MapQuest ]

Within the city, roads that run from north to south are traditionally called "streets" and roads that run from east to west are traditionally called "avenues." Streets are numbered in blocks west of the Red River. Avenues are numbered in blocks north or south of Demers Avenue — the city's historic dividing route adjacent to the rail yards. The city maintains a bus system called Cities Area Transit, also known by the acronym CAT. The system has operated since 1926 when it was introduced to replace an earlier trolley system. There are twelve bus routes including night service and service in the community of East Grand Forks. [cite web |url=http://www.grandforksgov.com/bus/HISTORY.pdf |title=History of CAT |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format=PDF| work=City of Grand Forks, North Dakota ]

Health care

With over 3,400 employees and over 180 physicians,cite web |url=http://altru.org/body.cfm?id=275 |title=General Information |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=Altru ] Altru Health System is the main provider of health care in Grand Forks and the surrounding region and is also the largest private employer in Grand Forks. Altru's 90 acre medical campus near the center of the city offers a 261-bed acute care hospital, a 34-bed rehabilitation hospital, and five clinics. Altru Hospital, formerly called United Hospital, is the result of a 1971 merger of Grand Forks' Deaconess Hospital and St. Michael's Hospital. [cite web |url=http://www.altru.org/body.cfm?id=89&oTopID=89 |title=Mission & History |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=Altru Health System]

Grand Forks has long had just one major healthcare provider, but recently a new medical campus, called Aurora Medical Park, has been developing on the south side of the city. [cite web |url=http://www.auroramedicalpark.com/ |title=Aurora Medical Park |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=Aurora Medical Park ] Facilities in the development include the Stadter Center — a 70-bed psychiatric hospital [cite web |url=http://www.stadtercenter.com/index.php |title=Stadter Center |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=The Stadter Center ] — and a two story clinic building. Individual spaces in the clinic building are leased out to private medical practices. In early April 2007, a proposal surfaced to build a 70-bed hospital called Aurora Hospital on the medical campus. [cite news | last = Tran | first = Tu-Uyen | coauthors = | title = GF CITY COUNCIL: Are two better than one? | work = Grand Forks Herald | pages = | language = | publisher = | date = 2007-04-03 | url = http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=33229 | accessdate = 2007-06-05 ]

Media

The "Grand Forks Herald" is the major daily newspaper serving Grand Forks [cite web |url=http://www.grandforksherald.com/ |title=Grand Forks Herald |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=Grand Forks Herald ] and is also the second most widely circulated newspaper in North Dakota with a daily circulation of around 31,000. [cite web |url=http://www.forumcomm.com/articles/?page=06072006
title=Forum Communications buys Grand Forks Herald, Duluth News Tribune |accessdate=2007-06-21 |format= |publisher=Forum Communications ] "The Exponent" is a weekly newspaper published in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. [cite web |url=http://www.page1publications.com/exponent |title=Exponent |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=The Exponent ] The University of North Dakota also has its own student-published newspaper called "The Dakota Student", which is published twice weekly during the school year. [cite web |url=http://www.dakotastudent.com/ |title=The Dakota Student |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=The Dakota Student ]

The major AM radio station in Grand Forks is KNOX 1310, which is a news and talk station. The city's FM stations include NPR affiliates KUND 89.3, KFJM 90.7, KQMN 91.5, and KNTN 102.7. Commercial FM stations include rock station KJKJ 107.5; top 40 station KKXL-FM 92.9; and country stations KSNR 100.3 and KYCK 97.1. [cite web |url=http://www.tvradioworld.com/region1/nd/radio.asp?m=gra |title= North Dakota – Radio Broadcasting Stations |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=RadioStationWorld ] [cite web |url=http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRRatings/DetailsPage.aspx?MID=296&RY=2006&RQ=4&MP=0&OTHER=2&MN=Grand%20Forks&MS=ND&MR=289&12P=83300&UP=2/1/2007%2012:00:00%20AM&SU=C&BPER=&HPER=&OPER=&NSD=&CE=0 |title=Grand Forks Arbitron Ratings |accessdate=2007-06-05 |format= |work=Radio and Records ]

WDAZ-TV channel 8, an ABC affiliate, is the only broadcast television station in Grand Forks that provides local news. [cite web |url=http://www.forumcomm.com/broadcast/?page=wdaz |title=WDAZ-TV |accessdate=2007-06-18 |format= |publisher=Forum Communications Company ] All other major U.S. television networks are represented in Grand Forks from Fargo-based television stations. The cable television provider, Midcontinent Communications, carries several locally-based cable channels such as the Fighting Sioux Sports Network and public channels run by the University of North Dakota, City of Grand Forks and the Grand Forks Public Schools.

ee also

*History of Grand Forks, North Dakota
*Climate of Grand Forks, North Dakota
*Sister cities of Grand Forks, North Dakota
*Media in Grand Forks, North Dakota
*List of mayors of Grand Forks, North Dakota
*List of people from Grand Forks, North Dakota

Notes

Further reading

*Tweton, Jerome D. (1986, reprinted 2005). "Grand Forks, A Pictorial History", Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company.
*Bladow, Eldon (Ed.) (1974). "They Came To Stay", Grand Forks, North Dakota: Grand Forks Centennial Corporations.
*Jacobs, Mike (Ed.) (1997). "Come Hell and High Water", Grand Forks, North Dakota: Knight-Ridder.

External links

* [http://www.grandforksgov.com City of Grand Forks official website]
* [http://www.grandforksherald.com "Grand Forks Herald" website]
* [http://www.visitgrandforks.com Grand Forks Convention and Visitors Bureau website]
* [http://www.grandforks.org/ Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC)]