Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) A routine maintenance call turned into a historical discovery in downtown Bemidji this week. City Public Works crews, responding to a reported sinkhole in Parking Lot 7 across from Raphael’s Bakery, uncovered the foundation of a long-forgotten building beneath the pavement.
Initially, the plan was to fill the small hole. However, upon discovering the old foundation, City Manager Richard Spiczka informed the City Council that a more extensive repair would be necessary. The area will be reopened shortly to remove debris and fill the cavity with sand to ensure public safety. The parking lot will remain closed until the issue is resolved.
Residents recall that the area once housed Sar Motors, a building with a full basement containing finished rooms and apartments. After its demolition decades ago, the basement was reportedly paved over, its existence fading from collective memory until now.
Did you know?
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Bemidji’s downtown area has a rich history, with many buildings dating back to the early 20th century.
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Discoveries like this provide a glimpse into the city’s past and can offer valuable information for historical preservation efforts.
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.