SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - In the mid to late 70's Phillips Avenue, in downtown Sioux Falls, was on the verge of collapse after planners closed the street to cars making the artery a pedestrian mall.
Traffic returned in the 80's and now USA Today has named Phillips Avenue as one of the ten great American shopping streets.
The list is compiled by Robert Gibbs, who teaches at Harvard's Graduate School of Design, after visiting Sioux Falls in February, which is a month that can work for or against any perception of the city.
Gibbs says "this small, Great Plains city is home to one of the best downtowns in the country." He noted the pieces in SculptureWalk which "people will drive hundreds of miles just to come see."
Brienne Maner of Downtown Sioux Falls says Gibbs was keynote speaker at their annual meeting in February. Maner says Gibbs was impressed with the vibrant downtown business community.
Maner says DTSF posted the list on their social media recently and, to date, it is the second most popular post they've ever had. She says DTSF has a digital reach over 34,000 people.
Maner says Gibbs was also impressed with the City's east bank as well as with plans for the Levitt pavilion.