It appears that the city was working behind the scenes with the Sioux Falls School District to build around 14 single family affordable houses on this empty lot owned by the school district. The Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood association got wind of the back door negotiations (they were NOT included in the discussions) and put out a survey to the neighborhood (it is closed now) to see what the neighbors think.
Let’s just say they are NOT happy about how this was being planned (in the dark). While I certainly would support a project like this, I don’t live near it or in that neighborhood so I can’t speak for the people who live there, but it seems they would like to keep it as is and add a park instead.
No matter who is involved with this backdoor plan, I will say this is NOT how you go about it. You have to engage the citizens in the neighborhood in a public meeting setting and work with them on shaping the project.
THE WAR ON TRANSPARENCY IN THIS CITY MUST END!
I think a mixed use of townhomes, apartments and homes with a park and urban garden in the center would be a good way to go. But we NEED the public’s input first and foremost.
They are having a meeting Monday to address the issue. I think some city staff from the planning office are going to be in attendance.
This doesn’t surprise me. We should expect four more years of secrecy from this Mayor and his hand picked cast of clowns.
Steve, it doesn’t surprise me either, but I am speculative. While it is safe to assume who the dictator from the city is involved, you wonder who with the SFSD is involved? Is it the board or the Super? There have been a couple of moles who reached out to me after the post that this may be a discussion amongst full-time leadership and NOT part-time. While I support affordable housing, I think the best solutions come from neighborhood input and not running the trains on time.
When you’re king of Strong Arm Charter, you’re Putin on the poison. Sierra is involved. She’s the city Novatny. Sic ‘em but good luck. Mayors from this type of government tend to have you arrested and held without a charge. I’ll come down and join you. The jumpsuits are high fashion and jail tattoos are a bargain.
Will there be Russian Caviar Or d oeuvre’s for the councilors?
I’m with you Steve. This Mayor believes his election mandate will allow him to do whatever at this point.
There are going to be some real head scratching projects in the future, done in secrecy.
And the superintendent doesn’t impress me at all.
His election mandate will be his Achilles heel. Nixon would have doxed if he could have.
Got to be careful here, there got to be some great lawyers involved. South Dakota as a established in a time where the Federal Govt was providing land grants, known as Section 16 Land, if the schools were demolished, the land could only be used for certain uses, mainly science, argiculture, public parks, or a new school.
Copy and Paste this Link:
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED518388.pdf
Mike, thanks for the Section 16 info. It will come in handy “Someday” when we demolish State. Thanks again. #GoYotes!