SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The city will pay $25,000 to a consultant to establish a vision for the redevelopment of the downtown railyard between Falls Park and 8th Street.
Director of Planning and Building Services Mike Cooper says the idea is to have a visual marketing tool to begin soliciting private proposals.
Cooper says the city expects that the nearly ten acre site will be developed in multiple phases. He anticipates there will be city as well as private participation.
Mayor Mike Huether says that as anxious as he is for development, it would be prudent for planners to take their time and get it right the first time. Rushing development just so he can take the bows before his time in office is over would be the wrong thing to do:
"That would not be a sign of leadership," says Huether, "That would be a sign of, probably, arrogance, and probably incompetence and just stupidity."
He says the city will solicit plans from local and out-of-town developers.
Cooper says it will take at least of couple of years before Burlington Northern is out and the city prepares the property for development.
Burlington Northern is now constructing two siding tracks for the storage of cars and an interchange.