UPDATE: I guess the developer interested in this project wants to also secure the buildings to the north of the block (Midco buildings) next to the Federal Courthouse. This means they will likely be asking for a street closure on 13th between Phillips and 1st Avenue. As I understand it, Midco would sell the buildings and would not be involved with the project, but I also have no idea who the developer is. You could build a ton of housing in that two block area even if the basement was parking and the 1st floor on Phillips was retail. Seems the planning department is trying to slip this project thru on the lowdown, but that is going to be difficult since the area they are proposing for redevelopment is prime real estate in DTSF.
Well, if you know a Shriner, you might have heard what the plans ‘may’ be for the parking lot the city is selling DTSF. Apparently they are not too attached to the building downtown and have looked at moving to a smaller more convenient location more South Central which would make the current building for sale. It probably wouldn’t be a hard lift to get the radio station to sell also. I guess the point is development won’t work UNLESS they have the entire city block, which make sense. Now Assam may not want to sell, but you could build around that chicken coop. What I don’t know is who is the developer and what do they want to build there? Apparently the city already has an interested party, but like most things it is top secret, you know, like the failed apartment buildings at 8th and Railroad (oh, did I say that out loud?).
MAJOR SIOUX FALLS CONSTRUCTION MANUFACTURER SELLS TO NATIONAL COMPETITOR
I have only had information on this trickling in, but I am assuming this will be a major story in the community in the coming days or weeks. Many employees and management are speaking out and it is only a matter of time. I was actually surprised because this company has often been used as an example in our community of how a local business should be run with employee ownership. My understanding is they over extended themselves with expansion and it was effecting the bottom line. I am withholding the name of the business until I hear more details about the sale.
It would be a loss to the uniqueness, history, and architectural appeal of downtown to lose the Shrine building. Especially because what would replace it would, without a doubt, be of lesser quality and design like almost all new buildings that have been popping up downtown. I hope it doesn’t happen.
Amen to Zach’s comment! That building has a classic mid-century design, and it should be saved. But then again, this is the same city that recently tore down that classic mid-century insurance building at 22nd and Minnesota, too…. And PLEASE! Don’t get me going about that vintage 1920-30s era Standard Oil gas station that was also torn down in the past year at 18th and Minnesota… I’m afraid our leaders, which includes our developers, really don’t care about history and architecture, but rather just profit… Plus, history scares them because it’s facts that then become a part of transparency, which is accountability, which is an acceptance that those who are willing to tear down what they have in this town are unwilling to accept and acknowledge, I’m afraid. #ProfitOverHistory #EconomicDevelopmentMyAss!
( and Woodstock adds: “Say, any Wright influences with these buildings, too?” …… 😉 )
My hunch says that a local internet provider, with adjacent property to the north of 13th street, wants to rejuvenate their downtown headquarter presence by expanding their landownership with these properties along Phillips Avenue. Based on the way their sliding scale of costs and brief notice of monthly bill increases work – I won’t be surprised by another TIF for a parking ramp that all the suburban leaches will complain about having to park in. New year – same shady administration behind the curtain – same entitled public expression.
My hunch is that the company is ‘——‘, and is being bought out by a competitor. I’ve heard some recent rumors about this at work.
Jon, you are correct. I am just waiting for a local story about it.