Council denies Admiral Beverage sidewalk waiver at 2720 Creek Drive

The Public Works Committee voted to deny a requested sidewalk variance for a new Admiral Beverage project at 2720 Creek Drive, rejecting the applicant's request to avoid installing a sidewalk required under Rapid City Municipal Code 12.08.060.

Councilman Bill Evans led opposition to the waiver, arguing the company could afford the estimated $40,000 and that denying variances in similar industrial areas risks creating gaps in the pedestrian network. "There's no justification for granting this waiver," Evans said, noting that the company he cited had annual revenue he described as nearly $900,000,000 and that leaving sidewalks out would shift future costs to the city. The applicant's contractor, Mickey Schober of Powder River Construction, said the area is heavily industrial with limited pedestrian traffic and that there are no sidewalks along much of the corridor today.

City Engineer Roger Hall told the committee there is not currently a pedestrian access on the existing bridge near the site but said the bridge replacement scheduled to go to bid this fall will include space for a pedestrian connection. Councilmembers debated whether to require the sidewalk now or compel it later if the area develops; the committee adopted Evans' motion to deny the variance and instructed staff to forward a motion to city council reflecting that denial.