Hair salon, fitness studio among first commercial tenants at Franklin on Fourth in downtown Grand Forks

GRAND FORKS — Franklin on Fourth in downtown Grand Forks should welcome its first businesses to the multi-use facility in the next few weeks. The entire group of businesses should be settled by the end of February.

That’s one reason Jon Miskavige is pleased with progress on the facility. The president-CEO of builder Northridge Construction, Miskavige, also is encouraged by the number of leases signed for apartments.

Apartments in the building — located across from City Hall — have been swiftly swallowed up. In fact, 95 of the 125 apartments had signed lease agreements by the end of October.

Miskavige, who is moving his construction company offices to the seven-story building, says he planned to move into Franklin from the start.

“It’s a little more fun downtown for our staff and ourselves,” Miskavige said.

Joining Northridge in the building will be six businesses. They include Avant Hair, Core Collective, Johnson Wealth Management and Icon Architectural Group.

Two other businesses are close to signing. When they sign, there will be minimal retail space remaining.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with the response,” Miskavige said. “I think we have 1,500 square feet of space still is available to lease.”

Miskavige said he loves the location.

The process of purchasing land for the building began about seven years ago.

“It’s so unique in downtown to assemble a full city block for a development of that magnitude,” he said. “It was an amazing undertaking. I think we were blessed to have the staff at the city and their commitment to urban renewal.

The city was instrumental in the effort, he said, “and the neighbors as well. It was a long construction season for them. We were intrusive to their businesses and they were great to work with. I think in the end we really built a great product that they and ourselves can be proud of.”

Construction has been rolling along for about two years.

“We’re excited to get the alley opened, fences down, building open and move to the next chapter and phase of this project,” Miskavige said.

Kyle Kvamme, of the ICON Architectural Group ownership team, said the company will move about 20 staff into the Franklin. ICON has about 60 staff total across the state.

“There was a great development happening, and we were invited to come and take a look,” Kvamme said. “We wanted to get into a space that fit our team. Our staff throughout has shifted. We have more and more people in Bismarck, Fargo, Bemidji and Minot now. So we don’t need as much space as we have right now.”

ICON will lease a little more than 5,000 square feet at Franklin. The move into the building comes as ICON also undertakes a rebranding effort, Kvamme said.

“The space has amazing amenities, amazing energy with all the stuff that’s going to happen,” Kvamme said. “Our staff are very excited to be in new opportunities to collaborate and work together. It’s going to be a great vibe.”

Derrick Johnson, owner of Johnson Wealth Management, has been downtown since he started business in 2002.

He will be moving a few blocks from the The Olive Ann Hotel. A couple of factors led to the Johnson move. He hired a new employee and needed more space. Also, his lease was up and the hotel needed the space.

“I like the downtown atmosphere,” Johnson said. “I like the look of the building and the quality of it.”

Kevin Fee is a freelance reporter for the Herald.