Fargo Urban Renewal Agency. Main Avenue (ND R-2) Project
Main Avenue Urban Renewal photograph collection, 1950s-1970s (Photo 2011)

257 photographic prints
8 Slides

In 1955 the City of Fargo submitted a Survey & Planning Application to the Department of HUD for both the Fourth Street and Main Avenue urban renewal projects. They were advised to concentrate only on the Fourth Street project and rescind the Main Avenue application. The application was resubmitted in 1961, this time receiving approval. The project was expanded to include the area east of Broadway to the Red River and from the Northern Pacific Main Line tracks to the equivalent of Second Street South. The Amended Revised Urban Renewal Plan "Main Avenue Project N.D. R-2" was approved by the Urban Renewal Agency in 1972. The Agency closed out with one parcel remaining and was succeeded by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Fargo in 1974.

Scope and Content

The Fargo Urban Renewal Agency Main Avenue photograph collection consists of 257 images used in the planning and execution phases of the project. The photographs were accessioned as part of the Main Avenue Urban Renewal records. The records were processed as Manuscript collection 149. The photographs document the area affected by the project in the downtown business district centered on Main Avenue. It includes aerials of the project area and a great variety of images of individual buildings before demolition. The collection has been organized into four series: Aerials, Hagen appraisals, Ralph Wenger & Co. appraisals, and Topical.

The Aerials Series consists of aerial photographs taken of the affected downtown business district before the project. The series is arranged by photographer. Most were taken by Everett E. Brust of Fargo.

The Hagen Appraisals Series consists of photographs taken of homes and business affected by the project, centered on Main Avenue. The series is arranged by block as developed by the urban renewal agency. Within each folder, the photographs are separated by lot number. This series includes the great majority of images in the collection.

The Ralph Wenger and Co Appraisals Series consists of ten photographs taken of the Oscar H. Kjorlie Co. buildings located at 95 Main Ave. The series is arranged in alphabetical order using the letter given to each structure by the appraisal company.

The Topical Series consists of photographs taken of houses and businesses affected by the project, centered on Main Avenue. The series is arranged into the following topics: Geller Auto Parts Co, Commercial facilities, Apartment homes, and Houses.

Finding aid

Hagen Appraisal Series

North 500 Block Main Ave (3)

Oscar H. Kjorlie Co (10)