The downtown includes brick commercial buildings in styles ranging from Richardsonian Romanesque to Beaux-Arts classical, Art Deco, and the International Style. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Grand Forks is the extent to which historic buildings have been preserved and rehabilitated following the devastating flood and fire of 1997 that engulfed most of the community and especially the downtown area. This renewal has been guided by an active Historic Preservation Commission supported by city government. Grand Forks’ leaders have subsequently shared their experience with flood recovery and knowledge of its impacts on historic architecture with other flood-impacted communities regionally and nationally.