The diversion project, which aims to protect the Fargo-Moorhead area from floods, has been praised for its cost-saving efforts. One such effort was buying grain elevators and a rail spur in Horace that it didn't need. But now city officials in Horace are left wondering what they can do with the abandoned grain elevators.
The town's agrarian roots are deeply intertwined with the towering structures that once housed crops waiting to be sold or shipped out on trains. The elevators were once bustling hubs of activity, but now stand silent and empty as reminders of a bygone era.
Horace Mayor Mark Resner acknowledges that finding a new use for the buildings won't be easy. "It's going to take some creative thinking," he says. "But we're hopeful that someone will come along with a good idea."
Some possibilities being considered include turning them into event spaces or repurposing them for housing or commercial use. However, any plans would have to comply with zoning regulations and ensure safety measures are taken due to the age and condition of the buildings.
Despite the challenges ahead, Resner remains optimistic about finding a solution that honors both Horace's history and its future potential.
"We want to make sure these icons of our town aren't just left standing there as eyesores," he says. "We want them to become something we can all be proud of."