I feel that the reason that the north side of Fargo is slowly losing population is because people have to travel to South Fargo to get most of what they want. I think that the city should try to attract big-box retail stores to the north side, which would in turn, attract more people. Another issue that has been facing the city lately is the lack of students at some north side schools. I would bet that if large stores were to come up here, that that would attract more people to live here, thus alleviating problems with a lack of students.

To the contrary, one thing that I like about North Fargo is that it feels like a small town within a big city. I hope that if the city were to get these large stores to the north side that it would take that away. So perhaps the best place to build these buildings would be along I-29. This would also help get rid of that awkward "notch" in the city by NDSU (previously stated in another forum).

Although big box retail might take away from the "small-town feel" of the north side, it would definitely attract more people and oppurtunitys to this part of town. It would also help the city grow mor upwards and to the west, helping with the housing boom of the south side. Overall, I beleive attracting these stores would be great.