SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- A year ago, it was a pile of rubble, a civic and personal disaster.
Today, it is a hole in the ground.
In the coming year or so, it will be a modern building at one of the most important intersections in Sioux Falls--10th and Phillips.
A year ago Dec. 2, 2016, the former Copper Lounge building--which was being rehabilitated for the redevelopment project--collapsed.
Despite the professional and heroic efforts of Sioux Falls Fire Rescue, the Sioux Falls Police, the City of Sioux Falls, other first responders, and several contractors, one young man died--Ethan McMahon, 24-- one of the workers who was rehabbing the building.
But miraculously, Emily Fodness, then 22, who lived in the apartment above the building--and her two dogs--survived, almost unscathed.
Two of the contractors involved have been fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. They are fighting the nearly $200,000 in fines. There could be litigation. The City of Sioux Falls is saying nothing about the anniversary because of both issues.
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But someday, sooner rather than later, a new development will spring to life on the corner. It will feature a Sanford Clinic and a small Lewis Drug store on the first floor and an expanded PAve restaurant and club on the second floor.
- RELATED STORY: AUDIO: New development grows out of building collapse
Sioux Falls continues to grow, but not without some painful memories from a chilly day in early December.
