One of the best things about returning to one’s hometown are the memories that come flooding back instantaneously. Nowhere is this more relevant than at the local school. We spend 13 years in education before we are old enough to set out on our own. Some people even remain in one building for that entire duration. Regardless, the memories one has of their high school days are often stronger than any others.
Returning to one’s school is something virtually everyone does at least once in their lifetime. But what if that building is now serving another purpose? Such is the case for Moorhead High School alumni who spent their formative years in the historic brick building on 8th Street. That building served as the high school from 1920 to 1967, when students moved to the school’s current location. The building, renamed the Central Administration Building, then housed school offices until it became the Townsite Center a little over ten years ago.
The Townsite Center is home to a variety of businesses, including The Extra Newspaper. In the past, these tenants have been found on both the first and second floors. Recently, all second floor businesses were moved down and the old offices renovated into loft apartments. The apartments are managed by FMI Properties, part of FMI, LLC. According to Chad Cota, the company’s chief operating officer, the renovation project has resulted in 36 loft apartments on the second floor, four rentable apartments on the first floor, and five others in the annex portion of the building, which will be finished at a later date based on demand.
Many Moorhead residents see the new lofts as a way to compete with the renovation and rebuilding of Fargo’s downtown area. “People can expect to feel like they are looking at a space in downtown Fargo; the building has that type of character inside and out,” Cota explained. “The goal was to try and bring that rental option to the Moorhead side of the river, and as far as we know, this product is unique to the Moorhead market.”
The Townsite’s loft apartments include a “warm modern feel” according to Cota. In addition, project officials utilized many of the building existing features and incorporated them into the apartments, things like exposed brick walls, refinished original hardwood floors, 10ft windows, 17ft ceilings with exposed beams, and original terrazzo floors in the hallways. “The units also have all the comforts of new construction, including, dishwashers, ceiling fans, washers and dryers, and air conditioning,” Cota expounded.
Nobody understands the richness of the building’s history more than former Moorhead High School student Kathy Coyle (class of 1968). Her fond memories of the building don’t stop simply because the structure has been remodeled. Every nook and cranny holds a specific memory for Coyle, and those memories will remain long after hordes of tenants have come and gone. “I’m glad to see the WPA mural is still visible in the east stairway — one of the signature landmarks in the old high school,” Coyle said. “Our classrooms are now history, but Rickie Lenthe’s speech class is forever in my memory; and now in retrospect, a stringboard for my career in broadcasting.”
Coyle is proud of the direction her native city is heading. “After leaving television news, I eventually settled into a career in community development, so I’m delighted to see my former high school take on a new role that will showcase Moorhead’s progressive spirit,” she explained, adding that the apartments are so good looking when empty that she can only image how stunning they are with furniture and decor.
The class of ‘67 will always be remembered as the last to graduate from the old high school, but the class of ’68 was the last senior class in the building, as they did not move out until October. “It’s funny, my class always had an inferiority complex, but by the time our classmates Mark Voxland was elected mayor and Grant Weyland became sheriff, we realized we just exceled later in life,” Coyle said. As to not create hard feelings, it should be noted that the class of ’67 can also claim a local celebrity in Doug Hamilton.
Regardless of how bright the future of the Townsite Center appears, change is always hard. Cota would like to give special acknowledgement to the businesses that have stood by the building through moves andmonths of construction. “They lived through the renovation and were very understanding during the process,” he said. “I won’t say every day was dew drops and sunshine, but all in all everyone was very respectful of the project.”
Many people likely know the Townsite Center as “the building across from Taco Bell.” A look into its history, however, and it is clear the building is much more than simply brick and mortar. Regardless of how many times it is transformed, it will always hold very fond memories. “The eighth street building’s purpose has changed, but it will always be a symbol of our youth,” Coyle remarked. “Once a Spud, always a Spud!”
People wanting more information about the Townsite Center can call Karli at FMI Properties, 218-303-4504. Information can also be obtained online at aptlivingguide.com by searching Moorhead, MN followed by Lofts at Townsite.
