At tonight’s (May 24, 2022) City Commission meeting, Pierre Mayor Steve Harding rolled out a partnership with Hegg Companies to redevelop the former city hall property located along Sioux Avenue. It involves an apartment complex, a hotel, an office building, retail space and the closure of one block of Chapelle Street.
The first step toward making the necessary property available is for the city to purchase the county-owned building and parking lot located at the northeast corner of Chapelle and Dakota. The city will buy it for $175,000, then work with the Pierre Economic Development Corporation to sell it, along with the old city hall property.
Hegg Companies President and CEO Paul Hegg will serve as the project developer and owner of the 80-room hotel and 60-unit apartment complex to be built on the property. He says this urban infill project will enhance the Central Business District and be a catalyst for future development.
To allow for the necessary development space, Harding says the City will vacate the block of Chapelle between Sioux and Dakota Avenues. He says the development will be bordered on the north by Sioux Avenue and on the south by Dakota Avenue. Its east and west borders will be between Highland Avenue and the alley to the east of Chapelle Street.
Harding says there are some land sales and additional financial pieces that will require commission action, but this project is mature and ready to get started. He expects people will start to see work at the site by the end of the year. He says this development is a game changer for the community, especially the downtown area.
PECDO COO Jim Protexter says housing and downtown revitalization are two challenges that are tough for many communities. He says this development addresses both those issues and is a giant shot in the arm for Pierre.
In 2018, Pierre City Hall relocated from 222 E. Dakota Avenue to 2301 Patron Parkway, leaving a large lot along Sioux Avenue available for redevelopment.
Initial renderings of the downtown Pierre development project featuring a hotel, apartment complex, and an office building complete with landscaping and onsite parking.
Initial renderings of the downtown Pierre development project featuring a hotel, apartment complex, and an office building complete with landscaping and onsite parking.
Initial renderings of the downtown Pierre development project featuring a hotel, apartment complex, and an office building complete with landscaping and onsite parking.