Old Woodrow Wilson School site sold to Kilbourne Group

Fargo -A Fargo development company whose specialty is revitalizing historic structures just took on a new project.

The company has no immediate plans for the school, but it may have a future as an apartment or office building, according to Mike Allmendinger, general manager of Kilbourne Group.

“We are researching and putting together some plans right now,” Allmendinger said, adding that when the company looked at what people are interested in for downtown Fargo, office and apartment space topped the list.

Whatever happens with the building, Allmendinger said its historic flavor will be maintained.

He said the Woodrow Wilson building, which for years served as Fargo’s alternative high school, is the second oldest surviving school building in the city, with Horace Mann Elementary, built in 1915, the oldest.

“It’s always fun to work on projects that have that historic context to them,” Allmendinger said.

Kilbourne Group has taken on a number of other downtown Fargo projects recently, including the Loudon Building at 64 4th St. N. (formerly home to Fargo Rubber Stamp) and the site of the former St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at 670 4th Ave. N.

When it comes to the church, built in 1912, Kilbourne Group is working on removing asbestos and cleaning the building’s exterior, but extensive remodeling won’t begin until specific uses for the sanctuary and education wing are decided on, Allmendinger said.

The Loudon Building will be leased as office space, he added.

Allmendinger declined to release details of the Woodrow Wilson purchase, other than to confirm it was sold by Aldevron, a local biotech company.

Aldevron had considered using the Woodrow Wilson building for its operations, but opted instead to purchase and use a building that was formerly home to PRACS Institute.

To read the article on The Forum’s website, click here.