Riverdale is out of housing lots, but with two developers knocking on its door, more people could be at home there.

Mariner Construction of Bismarck and an unnamed developer represented by Trademark Realty are eyeing a 110-acre parcel on the northeast side of the community to turn into residential building sites, possibly doubling the town's size.

Mayor Tim Lingelbach said it's an exciting problem for Riverdale, which has been hoping for years to get something going along those lines.

Lingelbach said the council is figuring out how best to handle the dual interest. He said he hopes something can be done this summer.

Only a few private lots are available, the result of Riverdale having for several years been the fastest-growing town in McLean County, based on building permits, said councilman Charlie Sorensen.

Sorensen said the developer would have carte blanche to build condo-style duplexes, or single-family dwellings on the property provided the structures conform to city zoning regulations.

Trademark Realty's Mike Blazek said the developer he represents is looking at dividing the parcel into 265 lots for homes in the $150,000 to $175,000 range.

Those would be approximately 1,100 square feet, either stick-built or modular, and targeted heavily toward folks or retirees seeking a second home near Lake Sakakawea.

"You can't buy a lot on the lake, so if they can get near it and park their stuff, I see a lot of interest," Blazek said. "I don't see $200,000 houses right off the bat."

There is no school or grocery store in town.

Blazek said since the developer would pay for street, water and sewer work, the land would have to be priced reasonably enough to pay off over a possible 20-year project.

Steve Mariner said his company has definite interest, but said there's too much to learn and decide at this point to be specific about any plans.

The 2000 census counted 267 people in Riverdale and 156 housing units.

Sorensen said he figures at least 25 housing units have been added since.

The numbers Blazek's client has in mind could double those numbers.

Riverdale only dates back to the late '40s, so it's young to have such growing pains.

It's unique for other reasons, too.

It is the only town in North Dakota designed and built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The corps came up with a semi-circular layout, with housing radiating away from its central administration building facing the Garrison Dam project.

Brick and colonial houses for higher rank personnel were nearest the administration building and lower rank and smaller houses were located further out in the half circle street design.

The parcel being looked at now is some of the rear-most property that originally was for trailer houses for temporary personnel.

Sorensen said the area still has remnants of pipes and streets, but the old streets are crumbling and trees are grown tall in places.

The corps kept Riverdale until 1986, when it ceremoniously deeded it over to a newly incorporated town government.

That set off something of a land rush as people bought up property. Sorensen recalls a deal Riverdale had with Hart Realty to sell property the city acquired in the transfer, including the old trailer sites.

He said there was a plan then to find a buyer to develop the old trailer streets, but the Realtor died of a heart attack just a few weeks after the transfer.

"It's taken 22 years, but maybe it will come full circle," Sorensen said.