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Sioux Falls council forms RiverLine steering committee, advances purchase ordinance to second reading
Summary
The City Council voted 8-0 to create a RiverLine Steering Committee to guide planning for a proposed RiverLine convention center and advanced a first-reading ordinance to appropriate entertainment-tax proceeds for purchase of RiverLine District property, setting a Sept. 17 second reading.
Councilors unanimously approved a resolution on Sept. 10 establishing a RiverLine Steering Committee to shepherd planning, cost estimates and a public-engagement timeline for a proposed convention center in the RiverLine District.
Councilor McCurris, a sponsor of the resolution, told colleagues the committee would be appointed by the council and mayor, develop a timeline and cost estimates and prepare the project for a potential public vote. "Now is the time to bring in a public committee that's established and authorized by the elected officials here in Sioux Falls," McCurris said during opening remarks on the item.
Members of the public urged caution. A speaker identified as Cooper cited figures he had heard "— $200,000,000 here, $200,000,000 there"—and asked the council to study the project’s per-household cost before committing public funds. Tim Stanga repeatedly urged that the purchase and any steering committee be subject to a public vote, asking who is pushing the project and what the tax impact would be for homeowners.
Sarah Broussard, another public commenter, said moving banquet operations and other services to the RiverLine area would amount to gentrification and displace vulnerable people downtown; she urged the council to reduce crime first and let voters decide whether to proceed.
Following public comment, the council moved to approve the steering-committee resolution; several councilors said a public, transparent process was appropriate. The resolution passed on an 8-0 roll-call vote.
Councilors then considered item 13, a first-reading ordinance that would appropriate entertainment-tax funds to purchase RiverLine District property and place authority to expend those funds under the newly created steering committee. Council set a second reading for Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, by an 8-0 vote.
Next steps: the ordinance will return for a second reading, and the RiverLine Steering Committee will be formed as directed by the resolution.
