With bids in, city ready to start construction on River Greenway, Jacobson Plaza

The Sioux Falls downtown riverfront and a portion of Falls Park will start to see major improvements beginning yet this year.

Bids came in for the next phase of River Greenway development and Jacobson Plaza in recent weeks, and combined they put the city about $2 million under budget.

The savings came from the River Greenway, which will enhance the riverfront along the upper falls and north of Sixth Street.

Lloyd Construction bid $10.5 million for the work, about $4 million less than the city had budgeted. That helped offset the Jacobson Plaza project, which came in just under $2 million over budget. Lloyd also was the low bidder on that project.

“We’re going to basically close down that whole area, take the area from the end of the Levitt up to the train tracks along Phillips Avenue and fence the whole area, and contractors are going to work on different things as it makes sense,” park development specialist Mike Patten said.

The River Greenway project will develop a public river walk along the west side of the Big Sioux River and the upper falls.

The project also includes shoring up the degrading low-head dam in the area, which is needed to create a pool upriver, including bringing adequate water levels for kayaking and fishing.

A newly built plaza will be called Lloyd Landing, reflecting a $750,000 donation from Lloyd Cos., which also is developing the adjacent Steel District project.

It will include multiuse public space with a shelter for picnics or other gatherings, a multipurpose synthetic turf lawn, a small dog park, seating and a photo station. The area also is planned for new public art and future activities, including outdoor fitness, food trucks and live music.

A groundbreaking will be held later this month, with construction starting this year, Patten said.

“We’re hoping the majority of the work will be completed by the end of next year, but there will definitely be some punch-list items like flower planting and landscaping that will extend into the spring,” he said.

Jacobson Plaza is slated for about the same timeline, though it’s subject to availability of materials.

The plaza, which includes an ice ribbon and gathering hall, splash pad, accessible playground and dog park, will be at Falls Park West, north of Levitt at the Falls.

“The ice ribbon is pretty unique and specialized equipment, so hopefully that’s all available and it can be opened kind of the same time as the Greenway, wrapped up with major construction later in 2024, knowing in the spring we’re going to have some landscaping,” Patten said.

The full scope of work for the Jacobson Plaza project was awarded, totaling $17.3 million. Of that, $8.5 million is from private donations.

The ice ribbon will be designed with string lights and served by a gathering hall, which Patten described as “a large warming house with spaces for parties and a large restroom that will service the full warming house, the park, basically the whole area,” he said.

“And then, we have a restaurant-food hall area that will provide year-round service to the park.”

Another shelter will serve the playground and will be able to be reserved for parties or other gatherings.

The accessible playground will include multiple play structures with activities for various ages.

There’s even a zip line-style attraction.

There also will be shade areas included throughout the plaza, including at the dog park, and there will be bonus seat walls on the splash pad.

The splash pad also includes lighting.

The additions “just makes the end product and overall experience so much better,” Patten said.

But, in the short term, visitors to Falls Park should prepare for some disruption next year, he added.

“We urge people in the area to use caution because there are going to be a lot of trucks and construction equipment. That’s a popular walking area that’s no longer going to be accessible to get to Falls Park along the river. People are going to have to use the sidewalks on the west side of Phillips Avenue,” he said.

“It’s going to be a little painful for a while, but when it’s done, we’re going to have the best year-round destination in the area for recreation.”