Simplified: The Sioux Falls City Council got an updated look at future expansion plans for the Levitt, an outdoor concert venue downtown that provides as many as 50 free shows each summer.

Why it matters

  • The Levitt hosted its first season in 2019, and has since grown to hosting as many as 100,000 people each year, according to President and CEO Nancy Halverson.
  • Now, with the help of large private donations, the Levitt is expanding to add more green room space for musicians, as well as 4,000 square feet of indoor programming space, offices for the Levitt staff and a second stage.
  • The additional space will help the nonprofit do more year-round programming, Halverson said in a presentation to the Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday in which councilors advanced plans to name parts of the new facility after the donors who made them possible.
"We have grown our mission to include education with summer camps for kids and professional development for local musicians," she said. "Right now we’re going out renting venues and doing things all over town so it’ll be nice to do things in one spot."

Tell me more about the expansion

The expansion was first announced last spring, along with the announcement of a $2.5 million gift from Dick and Kathy Sweetman.

  • In recognition of their donation, the Levitt is proposing to name the expansion on the west side of the stage (closest to Phillips Avenue) the "Sweetman Atrium."
Rendering of the Sweetman Atrium addition planned for the Levitt.
Rendering of the Sweetman Atrium addition planned for the Levitt that was shared with the council on Tuesday.

The next portion of the addition is expected to be called the "Lust Family Second Stage," after a family who donated $200,000 to the project. This will be located on the southwest side of the venue.

Rendering of the Lust Family Second Stage addition planned for the Levitt that was shared with the council on Tuesday.
Rendering of the Lust Family Second Stage addition planned for the Levitt that was shared with the council on Tuesday.

The final portion is planned to be called the "Dakota State University Program Room" recognizing a $500,000 donation.

"What has been impressive with this project is how quickly and how much Nancy and her board have raised to fully fund this project," Parks Director Don Kearney said. "I think that's a testament to the community benefit that Levitt has brought to Sioux Falls."

What happens next?

The council will have one more vote on the naming agreements, all of which are expected to have 20-year terms.

  • Then, the parks department and Levitt will work to bid the project in March.

Construction won't begin until after the summer concert season, Kearney said, and the project is estimated to be fully completed in the fall of 2026.