West Fargo, ND – The Wilds Development Project

CHALLENGE

With rapid residential growth in West Fargo, the City needed a large-scale, master-planned neighborhood that could meet rising housing demand while navigating complex regulatory, environmental, and infrastructure challenges. The site was adjacent to the federally managed Horace Diversion and contained regulated wetlands requiring USACE permitting. Moore also had to maintain modified access for an existing rural homestead throughout construction. The neighborhood’s location near a new elementary school required safe pedestrian routes, while ongoing coordination was essential between the land developer (who owned the property) and the City (who owned the infrastructure).

SOLUTION

Moore delivered comprehensive project management for The Wilds Development, leading master planning, design, platting, construction oversight, and phased implementation. The team collaborated with the developer and coordinated with the City of West Fargo, City of Horace, Cass Rural Water, West Fargo School and Park Districts, SE Cass Water Resource District, and the USACE. Moore designed all major infrastructure, including stormwater, sanitary sewer, water distribution, and a curvilinear collector roadway with shared-use paths, LED lighting, decorative medians, and traffic-calming speed tables. Stormwater features included five interconnected ponds with a centralized lift station. Moore also designed three parks, secured easements, and coordinated with adjacent property owners to address access and drainage. To enhance long-term operations, Moore created a GIS-based webmap that integrates as-built drawings, giving City staff and Public Works easy access to infrastructure data for streamlined maintenance and asset management.

OUTCOME

The Wilds is now a thriving, mixed-density residential community that balances livability, accessibility, and long-term growth. It offers more than 10 acres of parkland with ADA-accessible playgrounds, a pond overlook, a hockey rink, pickleball courts, and a multi-purpose field. Shared-use paths and trail connectivity enhance walkability throughout the neighborhood and provide safe access to nearby schools. Stormwater and utility infrastructure were delivered with long-term sustainability in mind, and successful cross-agency coordination ensured compliance, efficiency, and alignment with City and developer goals.