Jan. 27, 2022

A group representing a project called the Riverline District will make what it’s calling a major development announcement for downtown Sioux Falls next week.

Led by what was called a “community collaboration network” in a statement, the group is comprised of leaders across several businesses and entities in the community.

“This announcement will be the catalyst for the public to dream big for the future vision of downtown Sioux Falls,” according to the announcement.

It’s scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 31. at the Washington Pavilion.

A list of participants includes Leo Diaz, director of the Atlas FC Sioux Falls Soccer School.

Others listed on the agenda include Lynne Keller Forbes, South Eastern Development Foundation & Dakota Business Finance; Natalie Eisenberg, CEO of Click Rain Inc.; and Tom Hurlbert, principal architect at CO-OP Architecture.

The media contacts listed in the announcement release represent Avera Health and the City of Sioux Falls.

The Riverline District has been discussed in at least one public meeting. In November, Experience Sioux Falls was asked to contribute to a proposed project. In minutes from that meeting, it said that $250,000 to $300,000 was needed to gain control of land options.

At that time, the plan was for Forward Sioux Falls to invest $150,000 for land with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation charged with acquiring the land. SECOG, led by Keller, and its associated organization would contribute a total of $50,000, and Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. would contribute $25,000.

While the request from Experience Sioux Falls was for $50,000, the committee ended up agreeing to $25,000 to be used for community engagement and studies related to the Riverline Project. Funding was denied from the BID, or business improvement district, because members didn’t think it aligned with the mission. The BID is funded by fees on hotel guests and is used to promote the hospitality industry.