Why wasn’t the 300 building considered an option? Because existing buildings don’t make contractors money

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Lets’s face it, this isn’t about space needs, this is about rewarding contractors, architects and consultants with new jobs to do. Buying existing property that just needs some new carpet doesn’t require the millions in consulting fees;

While it wouldn’t be move-in ready for the city, Merrow’s Realtor Dennis Breske said a full restoration “down to the bones” could be completed for an estimated $4 to $5 million.

“Even if it’s $70 per square foot for all 76,000 square feet, that’s $5.3 million,” said Breske, who used to be part owner of the 300 Building. “That’s $11,320,000 (for purchase and remodel), which is still a savings … of almost $14 million.”

Of course the city has all kinds of excuses;

Officials at City Hall, though, say the 300 Building was considered before deciding to build new. Sue Quanbeck Etten, Central Services Director for the city who’s led the administrative office building project for Mayor Huether, said the floor plan, a limited amount of parking and the sheer number of tenants leasing space in the building kept the 300 Building from being seriously considered when other space solutions were being vetted in 2013 and 2014.

“It wasn’t even something we considered because that building didn’t meet any of the criteria that we needed,” she said, although admitting the idea of purchasing the building out right wasn’t entertained – only leasing space.

So which is it? You considered it or not?

In all the discussions concerning the proposed office building we hear and read, there is a concern for parking. As of right now there is a lightly used parking ramp and Romantix ground parking lots on the west side of North Dakota. The parking lots to the north and south of Romantix are currently used by workers in the 300 Building. When city staff moves into the 300 Building, these employees will be putting their cars into the same parking spots being vacated by the leaving office workers. The lot south of Romantix would finally be used consistently by city staff.
The KSFY space has possibilities for the engineers and their sensitive equipment requirements. Most of the 300 Building tower could be used in it’s current configuration. Little remodeling would be required to make the building very useable. The south wing could be remodeled, removed or expanded easily for future growth into the current city parking lot.
So there should be no further discussion of parking needs in this building purchase a possibility.
Posted in: SF City Council, Sioux Falls

7 Thoughts on “Why wasn’t the 300 building considered an option? Because existing buildings don’t make contractors money”

  1. The D@ily Spin on April 18, 2016 at 9:59 am said:

    Tech and software startups renovate old warehouses and office buildings into their business philosophy and culture. There’s lots of space and parking. I’d like to think the city is bypassing this approach in favor of not restricting private innovation. Not true because they’re building hotels that prevent renowned franchises from expanding here.

    How about build a new jail for the county and renovate the old jail for city admin? I like the idea of putting city corruption in jail without them realizing so. Raise my water rates if they can be put where they belong.

  2. tom on April 18, 2016 at 10:25 am said:

    The city should examine all options before committing to building a new city administration building. In addition to the 300 Building, there are other options around the city that could work.

    Once again, South DaCola’s analysis is right on the mark. The plan for a new building would reward those in the construction industry with our tax dollars.

  3. BOHICA on April 18, 2016 at 11:01 am said:

    One of the best questions asked today…$6 mil and some fix up money vs $20+ mil and long term interest payments. Sounds to me that there are reserve dollars to cover this purchase with out floating bonds.

  4. Not a Fan on April 18, 2016 at 12:53 pm said:

    Looks like the taxpayers are in favor of it by about 85% by an unofficial Argus poll.

    That’s even with his minions at city hall trying to sway the poll.

    Hopefully the new council members see how fed up the citizens are of the debt load huether and his lackeys are trying to stick us with.

  5. Al Anon on April 19, 2016 at 10:18 am said:

    If you change the name from 300 to Huether Hall it will pass with flying colors.

  6. father of three on April 19, 2016 at 4:50 pm said:

    So what happened to all the excellant parking spaces that were available downtown when they wanted to build the event center down there?

  7. Karma on April 20, 2016 at 4:39 pm said:

    With the difference in cost, it is completely unacceptable that our leaders are not pushing for this option. Shameful.

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