Simplified: Mayor Paul TenHaken on Thursday laid out his main focus areas going into the new year. Here's a look at what'll likely be making headlines in 2025.

Why it matters

  • Mayor Paul TenHaken is entering the last full year of his second term as mayor, but he said there's "no lame duck syndrome here." He's prioritized public safety since day one, and that'll continue into the new year.
  • The city is also looking to end 2024 on a high note with a slight uptick in sales tax revenue and some recent wins including the opening of the Steel District and the CJ Schwan's facility groundbreaking.
  • In addition to public safety, TenHaken is also looking to focus on streets, infrastructure and, as he puts it, "creating a long-term vision" for the city.
"(The hope is that we're) setting things up so the next administration inherits a well-oiled machine," TenHaken said.

Tell me more about what to watch in 2025

When it comes to public safety, TenHaken noted the importance of continuing to recruit new officers to the city.

  • The police department also plans to add seven new officers in the new year, and applicants are up to historic highs, TenHaken noted.

In a similar vein, TenHaken said the new year will bring more "hard discussions on homelessness" and the rollout of a marketing campaign to discourage folks from giving money to panhandlers. More background on that here:

The not-so-simple dilemma of panhandling and homelessness
As the City of Sioux Falls gives police more authority in interacting with the unhoused population, Police Chief Jon Thum admits homelessness is not something that can ever be solved by law enforcement.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

The city will also continue to move forward on plans for a new fire station.

There's also a long list of roads projects slated for 2025, including:

  • Reconstruction of the intersection at Arrowhead and Veterans Parkways,
  • The next stretch of South Veterans Parkway between Cliff and Sycamore Avenues,
  • The intersection at Interstate 229 and Cliff Avenue,
  • The city's third diverging diamond intersection at 85th Street and Interstate 29,
  • And general maintenance of the roads across town.

Public Works Director Mark Cotter also shared some of the infrastructure priorities for the city, including continued work on the wastewater plant expansion and making sure the city has enough water to support a growing population.

Over in the city planning department, much of 2025 will be dedicated to formulating and finalizing the Shape Sioux Falls 2050 comprehensive plan. (More to come on how you can – and why you should – participate.)

What happens next?

We'll get a more in-depth look at a lot of these projects – and likely more – during the mayor's State of the City address in early 2025.