SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — A newly planned convention center in downtown Sioux Falls has city officials talking about what the Riverline District could look like going forward as well as what some of the challenges might be.
In a city informational meeting on Tuesday night, the city heard from Johnson Consulting regarding their findings on the current convention center.
Teri Schmidt, CEO of Experience Sioux Falls, said the current center is falling short in some key areas.
“We need more space,” Schmidt told KELOLAND News. “The second concern is that all of our dates at the current center are filled. Additionally, our national meeting planners say there just isn’t any place for people to walk to around the current convention center.”
The recent report from Johnson Consulting agreed with some of the failings of the current center. Schmidt says the report confirmed what she has been saying for years.
“I’m so glad someone else from outside is confirming what I’ve been saying for years, but when they present a report like this we want Johnson Consulting to tell us the truth because we don’t want to build this bigger building unless its the right business decision for Sioux Falls future,” said Schmidt, who has been a Sioux Falls tourism advocate for decades.
Schmidt said the cost could be great but the center is an investment.
“There is $300 to $400 million dollars impact a year from visitors to Sioux Falls so if we have a chance to increase that why wouldn’t we? I try and balance that cost worry with what will the return on that investment be,” Schmidt said. “It’s a business decision for the future stability for our community but it costs money to invest in a community’s future and that’s what this is but as we invest that money we are creating hundreds of new jobs for people.”
While a new convention center has the support from a consulting report and Experience Sioux Falls, city leaders are awaiting more planning details.
Sioux Falls City Council Chair Curt Soehl said there would be traffic concerns and neighborhood concerns, especially with the downtown location.
“Being located next to a large homeless population you are going to have conflicts and we have to have a plan to deal with those conflicts,” Soehl said “I haven’t seen that yet, but I’m looking forward to seeing how we can work that through and what ramifications of that will be.”
Soehl said the proposed center is going to cost a lot of money and it will be up to the people to decide if they want it.
“I don’t see how it’s going to be affordable. I believe that when you roll out the $400 million dollars its probably going to cost the city to do this project that it will certainly have to be brought to a public vote,” Soehl said. “I don’t see how else we can pay for it without a large bond.”
Soehl added the city already has several projects that could cost millions of dollars. The city needs to have its priorities straight, he said.
“We also have need for an additional golf course and projects in both East Falls Park and Family Park and all these projects will leave a lot of capital overlay for Sioux Falls,” Soehl said. “We have to answer where are our priorities and how are we going to fund these projects.”
This week, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken told KELOLAND News details regarding the price and design of the new convention center are still being drafted. Johnson Consulting told city councilors additional details will be shared in the coming weeks.
