Updates planned for T-Rex Plaza in Dickinson, ND

Repairs and remodeling may be on the way for the T-Rex Plaza in north Dickinson.

“I think the thing’s been somewhat neglected and we were just made aware of some of the problems and we want to cure it,” said Bill Biddle, a part owner of the center who lives in Palm Desert, Calif. “We fully intend to make some capital improvements and turn it around and make it something the community will be happy to have.”

Biddle said he can’t be sure how much work will be put into the building or how much will be spent on updates because, living out of state, he hasn’t seen the condition of the facility.

“I want to see for myself, and then we’ll take it from there,” Biddle said. “We are going back, physically, to see for ourselves and see what has to be done. I want to take some corrective measures.”

He hopes to come to the mall as early as next week.

Some of the tenants of the T-Rex Plaza say they would like to see repairs made.

Ron Kuntz, owner of This Ol’ Shoe at the plaza, said his air conditioning doesn’t work. However, he has not reported the issue to anyone.

Kuntz also hopes snow removal improves from last winter.

“It was getting piled up,” Kuntz said. “A lot of parking lot space was being used up by the snow.”

Megan Dollinger, owner of Parties Plus at T-Rex, agreed snow removal had been an issue. She also has had some electrical problems.

“My big issue was just having no heat,” Dollinger said.

She had nine space heaters plugged in for three months over the winter to heat her store, she said. Dollinger paid for the repairs herself and deducted the cost off of her rent, she said.

Two outlets have also burned out, Dollinger said, adding they still need to be fixed.

The roof of the building has been leaking as well, she and Kuntz said. Dollinger plans to move out of the T-Rex Plaza.

Kristi Pechtl, owner of Music Mart in the plaza, said she has had a few electrical problems and roof leaking issues as well.

“The T-Rex Mall has the potential to provide our community with a wide variety of businesses and there are always opportunities for improvement,” Pechtl said. “It wouldn’t take much to make this mall a really great mall.”

Not all the tenants have experienced issues with the mall, including Ed Binstock, owner of Big E Auction Service.

“I haven’t had any problems at all,” Binstock said. “I’m plumb happy.”

Deb Barros, Dickinson fire prevention specialist, said minor fire safety issues have been discovered in the building.

“What we have found is just some maintenance issues of their fire protection systems and we’re working with the property owner to get those resolved,” Barros said.

Biddle said the T-Rex Plaza was in bankruptcy about a year ago, but no longer is.

He is working on ways to attract more tenants to the center.

“I think the community will be happy to know that things are going to be happening there,” Biddle said. “I want the community to be happy with what’s there.”

Several other tenants of the mall, the mall manager and one of the mall’s owners declined to comment Wednesday. A third mall owner was unavailable for comment.