MOORHEAD — Moorhead community leaders celebrated the beginning of construction of a new clinic, marking the start of the latest project in the city’s downtown.
Essentia Health broke ground on the family medicine clinic with a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The Duluth, Minnesota-based health system plans to open the clinic in the
at 730 Center Ave.
Essentia Health broke ground for a new clinic in the former Wells Fargo building located at 730 Center Ave. in downtown Moorhead on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
The initial project will bring services like family medicine, urgent care, lab, radiology, physical therapy and drive-through pharmacy to the building, according to Dr. Stefanie Gefroh Ellison, Essentia Health West Market president, but the building has room for additional services and partnerships.
“Most importantly, we’re designing this space with the future in mind,” Gefroh Ellison said. “As Moorhead continues to grow and evolve, this location will give us opportunities to expand and tailor services to the needs of the community.”
Dr. Stefanie Gefroh Ellison, Essentia Health West Market president, speaks at a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, marking the start of construction for a new Essentia family medicine clinic located in the former Wells Fargo building at 730 Center Ave. in Moorhead.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
The clinic is expected to open in May 2027.
The first phase of the project includes the renovation of the first floor and outside of the building. Essentia is investing around $9.5 million for the initial project, including purchasing and renovating the building, Gefroh Ellison said.
Once open, the clinic could have anywhere between 50 and 100 staff, Gefroh Ellison said.
A rendering shows what a future Essentia clinic in downtown Moorhead could look like.
Contributed / JLG Architects
The reuse of the existing downtown building will be transformational, Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson said.
“Healthcare is an essential community infrastructure,” Carlson said. “Essentia Health is making a commitment to that health and vitality of Moorhead, and we are so grateful.”
Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson speaks at a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, marking the start of construction for a new Essentia family medicine clinic located in the former Wells Fargo building at 730 Center Ave. in Moorhead.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
In July, Moorhead City Council members approved a
15-year property tax incentive
for the project.
Essentia currently runs a walk-in clinic in downtown Moorhead and a family medicine clinic in south Moorhead. Downtown walk-in clinic services will move to the new downtown Moorhead clinic, Gefroh Ellison said.
“What we don’t want is to have any kind of gap, so there might be some redundancy initially as we make that full transition,” Gefroh Ellison said.
Essentia nurse practitioner Rochelle Rieck will be one of the clinicians at the new clinic when it opens. While she currently works in walk-in and urgent care in Moorhead, Fargo and Detroit Lakes, she will transition to be a family medicine provider in the future clinic.
“For me, today represents much more than breaking ground on a new building,” Rieck said. “We are laying the foundation for relationships that may grow and last for generations.”
Rochelle Rieck, Essentia Health family nurse practitioner, speaks at a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, marking the start of construction for a new Essentia family medicine clinic located in the former Wells Fargo building at 730 Center Ave. in Moorhead.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Last year, Essentia announced a
$1 million donation to the new Moorhead community center and library
to support the walking loop inside the building. At the same time, it announced a future donation to fund improvements to the path along the Red River in downtown Moorhead.
Ingrid Harbo joined The Forum in March 2024.
Harbo reports on Moorhead and Clay County news.
Readers can reach Harbo at 701-241-5526 or iharbo@forumcomm.com.