UPDATE: I was told that the Ministry Center and Boys and Girls Club is still a go, but is taking longer than expected. There is also no word if the apartment complex will be built or planned. There is also some dual ownership of the property.

UPDATE II: I guess they are building some more apartments at the site, they bring it up in this Planning Preview. They are basically converting existing office space into apartments;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSQplTFZUvc

Previous Post;

First we heard a major church was moving there, than we heard it was going to be a ministry site. None of that panned out, and we have no idea why.

The latest rumor I have heard is that the developer that owns the site is now just converting into more apartments with a plan to build a larger apartment building on the old track field.

Not sure if any of that is true, but I would assume a plan like that would be for affordable housing units which of course come with tax credits, and potential TIFs. I’m also not sure if the City’s Planning Department is working with them on this project.

CHARGING FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS

I have been hearing from several people and from doing some online research that if you want to rent from this same company they have you fill out an application and do a credit and criminal background check. This of course is not unusual. What is strange is that they charge between $35-40 for this check that is non-refundable. It would be like being charged for an urinalysis while seeking new employment. Why would a company that is looking for potential clients want to charge you? It would be like paying a gate fee to get into the Mall. What makes this even more egregious is that it’s not like they are just a high-end condo renter, many of their units are for lower income folks, and on top of that this company has gotten millions of dollars (across the state and region) in taxpayer subsidies and tax credits. You would think they would just eat the cost? Yeah right.

3 Thoughts on “UPDATE II: What is happening at the School for the Deaf site?

  1. Rich Merkouris on March 14, 2020 at 4:03 pm said:

    Thanks for asking about the campus and I’m happy to answer any questions.

    We are transitioning it from the School for the Deaf to what will be called the Empower Campus. There will be 10-12 different non profits located on site. It is under construction right now and we are a little delayed in that process. Boys and Girls Club will be one of those organizations located on the campus.

    We are hoping to announce the plans for the current field area the first or second week of April. We are working with multiple organizations right now on those details. The property is owned by The Sioux Falls Ministry Center which is changing to Empower Sioux Falls.

    I hope that is some clarity!!

  2. l3wis on March 14, 2020 at 4:11 pm said:

    Thanks Rich. I have had a lot of people ask me what was going on.

  3. D@ily Spin on March 14, 2020 at 5:25 pm said:

    Sounds like public benefit.
    It’s not a city land grab like taking away federal land for the Aquatics Center.
    The city bought federal right-of-way from the railroad for 90 million. Unusable polluted bottom waste land not owned by the railroad. It was a Huether mistake that will always be funny.

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