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Council approves Jacobson Plaza alcohol, food-and-beverage management and ice-ribbon fee changes
Summary
Council adopted changes allowing licensed alcohol sales in Falls Park/Jacobson Plaza, approved a management agreement for food and beverage services with Washington Pavilion Management, and added a fee schedule for the new Jacobson Plaza ice ribbon.
The Sioux Falls City Council on Nov. 19 approved multiple items that affect programming and concessions at Jacobson Plaza and Falls Park, including an ordinance change to allow licensed alcohol sales in Falls Park, a management agreement for food and beverage operations at Jacobson Plaza, and new fee definitions for the plaza’s planned outdoor ice ribbon.
Jackie Nelson, Recreation Manager, presented a second-reading ordinance to amend chapter 95.029 (Parks and Recreation) so licensed alcoholic beverages may be sold inside Falls Park where licensed. Nelson said approval would support food-and-beverage services at Jacobson Plaza and the Levitt. The council approved the second reading unanimously (8–0).
The council then considered a resolution authorizing an agreement with Washington Pavilion Management Incorporated to operate and manage food and beverage services at Jacobson Plaza, a management/branding arrangement staff had previewed in prior informational sessions and the first reading. Jackie Nelson said the agreement would allow the plaza’s food-and-beverage operations to be run by the Pavilion management entity; staff recommended approval. The resolution passed 8–0.
Nelson also presented an ordinance adding the Jacobson Plaza ice ribbon — defined in the code as an outdoor refrigerated sheet of ice available for skating and similar recreation — and establishing fees (skate rentals $3; skate time reservation $5 for all ages). During public comment, Tim Stenger asked who would maintain the refrigeration unit, what long-term repair costs might be, how many skaters the rink could accommodate, and whether low-income families could afford fees. Nelson and councilors did not provide a precise long-term maintenance cost in the hearing; the ordinance passed on second reading 8–0.
These actions together enable the city and its partner to operate expanded food, beverage and seasonal skating programming at Jacobson Plaza while using licensing and fees consistent with municipal code.
What happens next: staff will implement the management agreement, coordinate necessary licensing for vendors, finalize operating procedures for the ice ribbon including maintenance planning, and begin fee collection under the new code language.
