Minnehaha County OKs property conveyance and easements with Sioux Falls for Minnesota Avenue project; construction expected in 2026

Tom Greco briefed two agreements with the City of Sioux Falls tied to the Minnesota Avenue improvement project: conveyance of several highway ('H') lots adjacent to county property at 6th and Minnesota and separate temporary construction easements that include limited permanent closure of two access points on the county employee parking lot.

"H lot is basically just a highway lot," City Engineer Andy Berg told the commission, explaining the strips of land are conveyed for highway use and in this case include sidewalk and right-of-way corrections. Greco said the county discovered an omission in earlier right-of-way descriptions and recommended approving the conveyance to clean up the record.

On easements, Greco said the agreements provide for construction access and realignment of one remaining parking-lot access to align with an existing parking lane; landscaping is planned and the city generally will restore areas or leave them with no long-term impact on county spaces. Berg said the plan is to bid the project shortly after the new year with 2026 construction and possible punch-list items into 2027.

Commissioners approved both the conveyance and the temporary easement agreements by roll call after a short explanation and a question about the timeframe.

What happens next: the city will proceed with bidding and expects construction in 2026; county staff will coordinate access closures and realignment as described in the agreements.