Citizens Alley
Downtown Minot
Citizens Alley is a quasi-public plaza in the heart of downtown Minot, operated by Local Motives, a nonprofit dedicated to placemaking and community-building. Designed as a year-round gathering space, the Alley features pop-jet fountains, a multi-use sport court, public art, outdoor seating, and seasonal amenities like an ice rink. Citizens Alley brings people together through events, recreation, and everyday connection, creating a vibrant hub for all ages.
Uffda! Our northern North Dakota winters can be tough. But that doesn't stop the outdoor fun!
Citizens Alley is a demonstration of our commitment to community. Tucked between the Aksal Group’s buildings, this all-season space provides family-friendly, community-focused activities and events throughout the year. We spent years testing the potential for this pedestrian-only space in our community, asking, “What’s right for right here?”
Once a rail spur serving the historic Soo Line, we want to preserve the past while creating a functional space that the community and visitors seek out. Phase two of the redevelopment opened in Summer 2025 and includes turf lawns, flush-mount fountains, a sports court for basketball or pickleball, public art installations, food and beverage concessions, and ample room for a mobile performance stage and farmers/artisans market. In the winter, the sports court transforms into a temperature-controlled ice rink sized for two curling sheets or two mite hockey rinks, public leisure skating, and ice bumper cars.
