Bemidji Pioneer: Groundbreaking scheduled for University Heights

BEMIDJI—A formal groundbreaking ceremony will be held July 28 for a construction project already underway along Bemidji Avenue.

The development, which will stretch between 15th Street and 18th Street NW, is University Heights, a $3.7 million student housing venture adjacent to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ campus. The project’s work is being handled by Kraus-Anderson Construction Co. and the area is being developed by Peterson Developers.

Originally home to Bemidji High School, the most recent owner of the land was the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Foundation, who finalized the sale to Peterson Developers earlier this year.

University Heights is a multi-phase project that will begin with a 26,444-square-foot apartment building near 18th Street NW. Completion is expected in May and will be open to tenants in August 2016, a release said. The structure, designed by MJ Architectural, will have four stories with 16 apartment units with individual rooms for a total of 56 students.

The next phases for University Heights will include five additional apartment complexes and 12 townhomes; the second building is expected to be completed by August 2019. Four of the apartment complexes in the development will include first-level retail businesses, the release said.

The groundbreaking ceremony will start at 11 a.m. July 28 at 1725 Bemidji Ave. N.