Your week, simplified: March 20, 2024

Megan Raposa -

Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

Weather check: Don't put those shovels away just yet...

Cheers to my better half: It's my husband's birthday tomorrow, so please indulge me while I sing his praises for a minute. Sioux Falls Simplified would not exist if not for Royal's unceasing support as a husband, co-parent, and unpaid copy editor. He's the best. And he's very cute. Happy birthday, honey! Love you!

This week, you'll learn more about the candidates running for the Sioux Falls City Council – specifically, their thoughts on managing growth, maintaining roads and the 2050 vision for the Riverline District. I've also got your weekly event guide, and stay tuned for Friday's issue for more from the school board candidates (and, I promise, some non-election news).

And now, news:

ELECTIONS

What City Council candidates have to say about growth, roads and the Riverline District

Editor's note: These stories are the next installment in a multi-part series on the 2024 city and school board election. Stay tuned for more on the candidates views on various issues – oh, and make sure you're registered to vote by March 25 or, like, what is this all for?

Simplified: Sioux Falls Simplified sat down with each of the eight candidates hoping to have a seat on the City Council. Candidates were all asked (approximately) the same set of questions. Here's what they had to say about growth, roads and the Riverline District.

Why it matters

  • Sioux Falls' population has exceeded 213,000 (which, by the way, is almost the same size as Des Moines, Iowa). And the last couple of years have seen more than $1 billion in building permit valuation.
  • There are about 900 miles of roads within the city, and that number grows by about 10-15 miles each year, according to data from the street department. Road projects also make up more than $200 million in the city's five-year capital improvement plan.
  • Mayor Paul TenHaken last month laid out a 2050 vision for the Riverline District – essentially an eastward extension of downtown – that includes a new convention center. He also noted the first step would be purchasing the land, a 10-acre site near the 10th Street viaduct, for an estimated cost of $8 million.

Hear from the candidates

Find thoughts from all eight candidates on all three of these topics.

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Southeast Tech leader stepping down. Southeast Tech President Robert Griggs announced his resignation late last week after eight years leading the tech school. He'll finish out the school year, and the Sioux Falls School Board, which oversees the school, has hired a consulting firm to help in the search for the next president. More details here.
  • Delbridge drama. City Councilors this week criticized the city administration for not getting the word out that a public meeting was happening. Said meeting involved the work group assembled to figure out what to do with the collection of taxidermy animals in the Delbridge Collection – which was previously on display at the zoo, but was closed to the public after arsenic was found in the specimens. The Dakota Scout has the full story here.
  • Name a recycling robot. Millennium Recycling has some new recycling robots, and the company is looking to elementary school students for some naming help. Two winners will be chosen to win a t-shirt, a special treat for their entire class and a tour of Millennium Recycling. Enter the contest here.
  • Big shows comin' to town. "SIX" and "Hadestown" will headline the 2024-25 Broadway series at the Washington Pavilion. Rounding out the season will be "Shrek: The Musical," "Chicago," "The Addams Family," and "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical." Full-season subscriptions are available for purchase now, and tickets to individual shows will go on sale this summer. More details here.

EVENTS

Stuff to do: March 20-26

  • Refresh your closet. Embe is hosting its spring closet sale this weekend, with proceeds supporting Dress for Success and other Embe programs that support women. Stop by the downtown location Friday and Saturday to shop. More details here.
  • Meet the Easter bunny. The Easter bunny will be hopping on by Your Nurtured Baby on Saturday afternoon from noon to 4 p.m.. You can sign up here to reserve a slot to get your photo taken and meet the big man himself.
  • Do some puzzles. There are two chances to compete in a puzzle race this weekend. You can race at Buffalo Ridge Brewing from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, or check out the puzzle race at Severance Brewing Company from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.
  • Support local art. Musician and spoken word artist Xavier Pastrano is performing Thursday at the Washington Pavilion as the latest installment of the Live & Local series. Tickets are $20 and can be secured here.
  • Celebrate entrepreneurs. It's Entrepreneurs Day on Friday, and you know Startup Sioux Falls is celebrating. Meet other business owners and hear from experts who'll share tips to help you grow your business. Tickets available here.
  • Hunt for eggs. Dow Rummel Village is hosting an Easter egg hunt for kids 12 and under on Saturday morning. Depending on the weather, it'll be either inside or outside. Details here.

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

How the city is looking to fill housing gaps
City Council in the coming months will be asked to approve two different projects aimed at bringing more affordable housing options for those most at-risk of homelessness.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
How a highly visible brand is helping the Boys & Girls Clubs
With the help of Panther Premier Print Solutions, the Boys & Girls Club of the Sioux Empire found an easy way to get their logo and brand designs printed on anything they need.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Meet the local designer helping businesses be more efficient and profitable
Kristi Wire founded Wire Design Company with a goal to use her skills as a designer to help businesses be more strategic with their branding. As she recognizes five years in business this month, Wire shared some of her big wins – and big goals to come.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

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Reach out

What story do you want to see simplified? Falling for something local? Send any news tips, attaboys, missed typos or cute lil bunnies to megan@sfsimplified.com.

Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, Midco, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.