From looking at these plans for a new student activity center (in the video) along 33rd street, it appears that Augustana wants to connect their new facility to the Elmen center. Probably no big secret to those in the know, but this would require a street vacation between 33rd and 37th of Grange Avenue. Also probably not that big of deal since that street is pretty much just used as a shortcut across Augie’s expansive campus.

But here is where we run into some ‘what if’s’.

Hopefully this city council and the new one will learn a lesson from the recent street vacation at Billion. Dave Billion Sr. walked up in front of the council and asked ‘to be treated like everyone else’ then the city gifted him over a million dollars in property (the street).

This time around, the council needs to do their due diligence and consider the value of the street (and utility easements) and actually charge Augustana (a private university) a price for the street property. Even if it is 50 cents on the dollar of what it is worth, we need to send a message that the taxpayers of Sioux Falls are not just going to give away their assets anymore because the Mayor and Rob Oliver are besties. Let’s truly treat the Augies and Billions of the world ‘like everyone else’, nothing in this world is free. The street is yours. Check please.

9 Thoughts on “Is Augustana planning to ask for a street closure?

  1. just me on April 27, 2016 at 5:36 pm said:

    Why not just put in an elevated skywalk or two to connect the buildings and leave the road alone?

  2. That stretch of Grange is a vital link that I use daily not only to access my home but many times daily for work. It’s also used frequently as a route for emergency vehicles.

  3. father of three on April 28, 2016 at 7:48 am said:

    they tried to close it a few years ago and the folks around the area shut them down. Hope the same thing happens this time.

  4. The D@ily Spin on April 28, 2016 at 9:11 am said:

    Augustana is a dead end. Their tuition is high. They’re where you go when you can’t get into other universities. Gift them the street. Spoiled rich kids are good for the local economy. We’re lucky they leave once they get a degree employers get a good laugh about. They’re the Trump University of the Midwest.

  5. Remember our Billions’s Million Dollar Vacation video:
    http://www.southdacola.com/blog/2015/08/billion-street-vacation-video/

    The city gave away $1 million worth of land to a private business and now a private school wants to raise it’s net worth by closing a street? Isn’t it interesting it is also the corner of Huether Tennis with the lights on all night to remind the neighbors?

  6. It’s ridiculous to shut down Grange, especially since the streets south of 37th are so odd, with some even turning into dead ends. Grange is the best way to get 12th to (almost) 41st without using Western or Minnesota.

  7. anominous on April 28, 2016 at 12:11 pm said:

    Tell us again where all the water from these parking lots is gonna go?

  8. The D@ily Spin on April 29, 2016 at 10:54 am said:

    They’ll capture the water, treat it, and drink it. It’s a private university and nobody can afford city water.

  9. anonymous on May 6, 2016 at 2:23 pm said:

    Rob Oliver and Dave Nelson handled the finances for Mike Huether’s two mayoral campaigns.

    Do you really think that Rob Oliver, President of Augustana College (opps! University!!), is NOT going to get what he wants when it comes to the subject of vacating Grange Avenue between 33rd and 37th!!

    The neighborhood better start organizing now.

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