Downtown Sioux Falls

So is Xcel Energy going to reimburse Downtown SF residents for hotel expenses over the past weekend?

l3wis January 31, 2013 2Comments

I combed our limited local news media to see if I could find any information about this, and had trouble digging up anything (maybe a foot soldier could point me in the right direction). The only thing I could find was that Xcel made a generous (tiny) donation to the Red Cross;

“In recognition of the great efforts of the local Red Cross to assist affected customers, we’re pleased to make a $2,500 donation.”

Well that was nice of them, considering most of the DT residents that were affected by the power outage never went to the shelter and got a hotel room.

A couple of DT residents told me they thought ‘Renter’s Insurance’ would cover it. I told them, “Xcel should cover it. You are their customer, and you are paying for a service, and when it does not work, you need to be compensated.”

I also suggest that Xcel should pay for the contents of your Refrigerator and Freezer.

Remember, this is a PRIVATE energy company that flies several of their execs back and forth each week on a private jet to different corporate locations, because Gawd forbid they do business via teleconferencing.

This is interesting on many levels. Who is responsible for the outage? Xcel or the City? Who should cover the expenses involved with the outage?

I also find it a bit comical that Xcel thought DT loft residents were going to sleep on a cot next to total strangers. I’m not saying they are snobs, but they certainly are not transients.

I wonder how their lawyers will conduct this Mexican Hat Dance.

Could we transform DTSF into Austin’s 6th street?

l3wis July 30, 2012 29Comments

6th Street, DT Austin, TX

I have thought about this idea for awhile.

What would be the harm in experimenting with closing down Phillips Avenue between 10th & 11th and 11th & 12th (leave 11th street open for traffic) on Friday and Saturday nights after say 6 PM to 2 AM for the month of July. And allow open container (as long as it is plastic cups or aluminum cans or bottles). You could also setup picnic tables and bring in street vendors of all kinds (not just food or drink but artist booths also).

I think DTSF needs to turn it up a notch, and what’s the harm in experimenting with the idea?

Downtown businesses would have to be heavily involved and there would have to be strict cleanup guidelines by the DT businesses.