What could downtown become by 2035? The planning starts today

Sioux Falls will spend the next year studying, listening and visioning around what downtown Sioux Falls could become in the next decade.

The city launched its planning process for the Downtown 2035 plan with City Council approval today.

It will build on the current plan, which looks out to 2025.

“Based on the amount of development that has occurred and will be occurring, it just seems like this is the opportunity to reset and re-vision for downtown as these areas are growing,” said Dustin Powers, community development coordinator.

“Ultimately, we’re looking to set a vision for the next 10 years of growth and development downtown.”

Other topics will be integrated into the plan, including the potential to integrate downtown with adjacent neighborhoods and the Falls Park master plan, which also is happening this year.

The following people were named to the advisory committee that will help guide the plan toward council approval:

• Ann Nachtigal, downtown resident.
• Apolonia Davalos, artist and Levitt TV host.
• Arthur McCray, Advie.
• Brienne Maner, Startup Sioux Falls.
• Chris Daugaard, Ernst Capital Group.
• Curt Soehl, Sioux Falls City Council.
• Dan Statema, First Dakota National Bank.
• Del’Inkka Beaudion, Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen.
• Erik Nyberg, Cutler Law Firm, Sioux Falls Planning Commission.
• Ivy Oland Dandar, downtown resident and property owner.
• Joe Batcheller, Downtown Sioux Falls Inc.
• Kevin Tupy, Cresten Capital Group.
• Natalie Eisenberg, Click Rain.
• Penny Klinedinst, Simply Perfect & Threads, Plum’s Cooking Co.
• Riccardo Tarabelsi, R Wine Bar & Kitchen.

The group’s meetings will be public, and there will be multiple chances for anyone who is interested to provide input, Powers said.

Topics will include parks, public parking, economic development, land use, streets, infrastructure, traffic, design, transit, housing, public safety, historic preservation, and arts and entertainment.

Powers said he expects the process to take about a year. The first committee meetings likely will be in March, with initial public engagement opportunities this spring.