COVER STORY
Downtown Sioux Falls: Open for Business
... and living ... and shopping
... and dining ... and entertainment
Downtown Sioux Falls: Exactly like nothing else
Downtown Sioux Falls: Open for Business
... and living ... and shopping
... and dining ... and entertainment
by Amy Smolik
Marketing & Communications Manager
June features a host of activities and events to bring people to Sioux Falls' downtown. Perhaps the most anticipated will be the opportunity to view the new street and sidewalks, which were shut down to motorized traffic from mid-March to late May.
The nearly $1.5 million project closed Phillips Avenue between 10th and 12th streets, affecting only the traffic on Phillips Avenue. The project was scheduled to be completed June 12 but the contractor was able to finish early, earning a $10,000 per day incentive.
With Phillips Avenue now open to pedestrians and motorists alike, visitors will be able to view the project's results. Planning for the construction began some time ago said City Public Works Director Mark Cotter.
"We had a stakeholder group involved that started over two years ago. Business and property owners were invited and really shaped the outcome of the elements that are now in place," he said.
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| Architect's renderings show Phillips Avenue at 12th Streeet facing south. Part of the project included adding new planters and signage. |
Phillips Avenue was reconstructed from building to building, including updated underground utility work and an upgraded the streetscape. Underground, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water system and underground lighting control improvements were all made. Aesthetic updates included historic streetlights, permanent sculpture bases, trolley stops, benches, trash and recycling receptacles, decorative stone walls, and landscape planters with ornamental railings.
"There's more flower planters, new and existing trees have new planters and the landscaping is more appropriate," said Downtown Sioux Falls Executive Director Dan Statema. Also added were more water and electricity outlets, which will be helpful during downtown events or for outdoor dining, Statema said.
The retailers are happy with the aggressive nature the city and the contractors took to get this project completed, Statema said. "We were very blessed with the weather, it worked out in our favor," Statema said.
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| Architect's renderings show the intersection of 11th Street and Phillps Avenue. |
Cotter concurred. Several factors added to the success of the project, he said. "We had good planning (stakeholder group), buildable design documents, good weather and a contractor that brought a significant amount of resources (electing to work Saturdays and Sundays) to meet the project schedule. The quality of the work throughout the project has also been very good."
The last time Phillips Avenue was disrupted was when the Phillips to the Falls project was completed in the early 2000s. More construction lies ahead as the Sioux Falls City Council recently approved a bond to make improvements along the river greenway, which will also enhance downtown.
"Investing in the river greenway and the downtown shows business owners, prospective business owners, tenants and the community that the City is making investments in its core. Downtown is the bones of the City and you need strong bones to have a healthy city," Cotter said.
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| Architect's renderings show Phillips Avenue at 10th Street facing southeast. |
While Phillips Avenue opened earlier than expected, some minor work is still being completed. Periodic lane closures and limited parking should be expected until the project is finished. Planters, walls, monument piers and lane striping are all being finalized. SculptureWalk was also affected by the Phillips Avenue reconstruction. The sculptures for 2009 SculptureWalk were placed with the exception of the area under construction; Statema anticipates all the sculptures will be in their final locations by mid- to late June.
The first major event will take place June 17 for Automania. This summer also marks the return of street musicians, outdoor movies, horse and carriage rides and a host of other activities.
"From new restaurants and new stores to new buildings to old buildings being reoccupied, we've got lots in the works," Statema said.
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The Phillips Avenue facelift also prompted the Downtown Sioux Falls organization to tweak some of its marketing. Visitors will notice some of the new promotional materials being rolled out this summer.
