SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- City Councilor Theresa Stehly disagrees with some of her fellow Councilors on the "optics" of the connections between Hultgren Construction and Legacy Development.
She says not only the "optics" of the Village on the River are bad as regards the two entities, but the project was bad from the start.
"This thing is being built on deceit and deception, in my opinion," Stehly said. "It's not what our citizens want from us as Council members or from City government."
The revelation Hultgren Construction, which filed for bankruptcy, and Legacy Development were composed of the same people means the City is involved in a mess, according to Stehly.
She says it taints the Village on the River project that the City is committed to.
"This project has the second penny tied to it," Stehly said. "This project is immensely expensive for a parking ramp. This project is going to raise fees for any person who is parking in a City-owned parking lot. It's been problematic from the get-go."
Stehly did not outline a course of action. The Council does not meet again until August.
Click above to listen to the full interview.