Your Neighborhood Know - Issue 2

Your Neighborhood KNOW

2023 Neighborhood Summit Summary

The Neighborhood Summit was held April 14—15. Featured keynote speaker, Jim Diers, an author and neighborhood advocate, highlighted successful examples from other communities while stressing the need for strong partnerships. His suggestions include the creation of “bumping places” and street parties, where neighbors can interact. Diers also encourages civil servants to build community in their own neighborhoods, citing that the keys to success are focused on ownership by community.

The Summit also highlighted the importance of outreach, training, and sharing amongst community members. Supported by the municipality with funding and technical assistance, the keys to successful planning should include a framework nitiated by neighborhood groups and encourage engagement from the residents. Diers emphasized that the City’s goal is to move beyond customer service and citizen participation and to strive to build a foundation that encourages total community empowerment.

Housing Programs

Spring is the perfect time for much needed upgrades to your house. The City of Sioux Falls can assist qualifying individuals with necessary home repairs.

The Single-Family Rehabilitation Program is available to families and individuals who make 80 percent and below of the Area Median Income (AMI). The program provides a zero percent interest, deferred loan with the intent to maintain the supply and decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing. This program can be used for necessary home repairs, such as roofing, siding, window replacement, interior, HVAC, and much more.

To see if you are qualified and to learn more, visit: www.siouxfalls.org/planning-dev/planning/affordable-housing

HOUSING: WHO ARE WE?

Housing is a division of Planning and Development Services at the City of Sioux Falls. Our team is dedicated to connecting people in Sioux Falls with resources that help ensure safe and sustainable living conditions.

We help people ensure decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions by providing programs that assist with repairs and improvements.

Like you, we live, work, and play in Sioux Falls. We love our community, and want our neighbors to thrive here. We take pride in serving our neighbors, because when things can get better for just one person, we all win.

Forestry Update

It has been five years since the discovery of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Sioux Falls. EAB is an invasive wood-boring beetle that attacks and kills ash trees. Ash trees can die two to four years after becoming infested with EAB.

The only way to preserve ash trees within the landscape is to treat them with insecticide labeled for EAB. Treatments are typically applied every other year for the life of the tree. If ash trees are left untreated, they will become infested with EAB and eventually die. Beetle numbers are steadily increasing throughout the community, and we are starting to notice the effects on private property.

Property Maintenance and Nuisance Vegetation

VEGETATION

Each summer the City of Sioux Falls receives hundreds of complaints about tall grass and weeds in our community. To help handle the large volume of complaints, the City has established a phone number for residents to call if they see noxious weeds or grass that has grown over 8 inches in height. The telephone number is 605-978-6900. Residents can call the number during normal business hours or leave a voice message after hours or on weekends. Violations can also be reported at: www.siouxfalls.org/report

When the City receives a complaint about a parcel of land that is being neglected, the City will investigate the complaint with a site visit. If the complaint is valid, the property owner will be sent a courtesy letter asking that the nuisance be corrected. Generally, property owners are given seven days to correct the problem. Only one courtesy letter will be sent on a property per year.

The City will reinspect the property on or after the due date. If the problem has not been corrected, the City will issue a $100 citation for the violation. In addition, the City has contracted with a lawn mowing service who will correct the violation. The property owner will be billed for the work, and if the bill is left unpaid, the cost will be assessed against the property.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

The Property Maintenance division strives to ensure public safety, health, and welfare through enforcement of the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code. The Property Maintenance division provides reasonable safeguards to ensure that existing structures are safe to occupy and use.

It is to our community’s benefit to keep all properties properly maintained and to encourage and assist our neighbors who may be struggling to do the same. A property that is not well maintained impacts property values and has a negative effect on the quality of life for surrounding neighbors.

The Property Maintenance division, which enforces compliance with the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, handles thousands of complaints annually. The division includes three full-time property maintenance inspectors, and one code compliance officer. Please call 605-978-6900 to report any property maintenance concerns, and an inspector will conduct a follow-up inspection.

The first symptoms of an EAB infestation are noticed at the top of the tree canopy. Shrunken lime green leaves and “bald spots” where branches have died back mean that it is time to have an arborist take a closer look at your trees. Heavily infested trees, like the one pictured on the right, will have “blonding” of the bark. Blonding is caused by lots of woodpecker activity on the tree, pecking the bark away to eat the EAB larva inside. The result is a bright white to blond appearance of the bark. Upon closer inspection, you will see the woodpecker holes and shredded bark on the ground under the tree. EAB is in Sioux Falls to stay, and it will always be a constant threat to our ash trees.

We urge property owners to have a plan for their ash trees now, before you find EAB in your backyard. Get to know the trees on your property, make decisions on what to keep and what to remove, and take action to improve your neighborhood forest. For additional information check us out online at: www.Siouxfalls.org/Forestry

Things to See and Do

Go online to view a full listing of events throughout the Sioux Falls area: https://www.siouxfalls.org/guide (click on the current Activities Guide) www.experiencesiouxfalls.com/

SFPD Safety Summary

National Night Out: Tuesday, August 1, 2023

This community-building event culminates annually on the first Tuesday in August. The best way to build a safer community is to know your neighbors and your surroundings. Please notify Officer Johnson if your neighborhood is going to have a gathering that night.

MAKE SAFETY A HABIT

With warmer weather arriving (finally), please make sure you’re locking your vehicles and removing all valuables, including firearms, out of the vehicle. Whenever possible, park vehicles in the garage if you have one.

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

As always, if you see something criminal or suspicious, please don’t hesitate to call Metro Communications. The non-emergency contact number is 605-367-7000, or dial 9-1-1 for an emergency.

CRIME ALERT

As scams continue to be an issue, please remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

DRUG DISPOSAL

Refrain from handling pills or possible drug-related paraphernalia. Call the Police Department if you come across something suspicious. Simply touching certain pills, powders, or particular items, can result in overdoses. When in doubt, stay away and call for Police. As always, we recommend talking with your children about the dangers of drugs.

SculptureWalk

Downtown Sioux Falls

On May 6, SculptureWalk installed 67 new sculptures downtown. This year’s exhibition is the 20 year anniversary of bringing Art to the People! By placing sculptures throughout downtown Sioux Falls and other high-traffic areas, visitors can experience year-round outdoor art. Each year, the City of Sioux Falls purchases the People’s Choice to add to the public art program. To view City Owned Artworks, visit: www.storymaps.arcgis.com/stories

The People’s Choice for 2022 was the Elk by Travis Sorenson, an artist from Sturgis SD. The sculpture was created from recycled stainless steel and copper and was located in front of the Carpenter Building for the past year. As the winner of this past years People’s Choice, the sculpture will be placed in front of the City Center building at 231 N. Dakota Avenue until the Visual Arts Commission finds a permanent home for it in May 2024.

Go to SculptureWalk’s website for maps and voting instructions for the 2023 program year.

Neighborhood Connect

WELCOME to Neighborhood Connect, an innovative program that allows residents of Sioux Falls to access information on various City of Sioux Falls applications within your neighborhood or the city as a whole. These applications include building permits and planning application items. This program provides a whole new level of accessible information for the residents of Sioux Falls. Scan the QR code to be redirected to Neighborhood Connect!

Photo by Paul Schiller

Street Construction Update

PUBLIC WORKS LAUNCHES 2023 SEASON

As residents enter spring and welcome warmer weather, the City of Sioux Falls’ Public Works department is gearing up for the upcoming street construction season. Each year, street construction typically launches in March and concludes in early November, weather permitting.

Annual street construction includes major projects planned for and budgeted through the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP)—maintenance projects like asphalt overlay and slurry seal that improve ride quality and extend pavement life, as well as infrastructure projects including sanitary sewer, water mains, storm drainage, street lighting, and traffic signals.

“Maintaining and expanding our street system in Sioux Falls is a critical responsibility of the Public Works department, and we strive to ensure roadway projects are completed in a safe, timely, and cost-effective manner,” said Andy Berg, City Engineer. “We have several roadway expansion projects to meet the needs of our growing city while also preserving our existing street network.”

Sioux Falls has more than 3,400 lane miles of roadway, the equivalent of driving from Sioux Falls to San Diego and back. Every four years, the health of Sioux Falls’ roadway pavement is measured using a Pavement Condition Index. The City of Sioux Falls’ most recent pavement management score, issued in 2020, was 70 out of 100, which exceeded the national average.

“We understand that having orange cones along your commute can mean a few extra minutes,” Berg said. “Residents should consider alternate routes, when possible, and please slow down when driving through construction zones. The people working are your neighbors, and they’re improving the roadways for everyone. Remember, we are ‘One Sioux Falls.’”

To sign up for monthly street construction newsletters and view project-specific updates or construction maps, visit www.siouxfalls.org/streetconstruction

A listing of this year’s major infrastructure projects with corresponding map locations are on the following page. *All project dates are weather permitting and subject to change.

Project renderings and images: 2023 Street Construction. Renderings and Images Credit: City of Sioux Falls.

CONTINUATION OF PROJECTS FROM 2022

41st Street and I-29 Interchange Reconstruction

PROJECT DETAILS: 2023 work includes reconstruction of the interchange itself, and of 41st Street from I-29 to Shirley Avenue. A diverging diamond interchange will be constructed.

IMPACTS TO DRIVERS: At least one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained on 41st Street during construction in 2023. Some side streets will be closed and the on/off-ramps of I-29 will close periodically during construction.

ESTIMATED TIMELINE: Construction to resume March 27.

FINAL COMPLETION: Spring 2024

Arrowhead Parkway and Six Mile Road Reconstruction

PROJECT DETAILS: Widen Arrowhead and Six Mile Roads to four-lane roadways with center-raised medians. Other work includes underground utility improvements, street lights, and traffic signals.

IMPACTS TO DRIVERS: Minimum one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained during construction.

ESTIMATED TIMELINE: Construction to resume this spring.

FINAL COMPLETION: Fall 2023

CONTINUING PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (SDDOT)

Benson Road and I-229 Interchange Reconstruction

PROJECT DETAILS: Construction includes Benson Road, from Lewis Avenue to Hall Avenue. A diverging diamond interchange will be constructed at I-229. Benson Road will be widened to three lanes in each direction west of I-229, and two lanes in each direction east of I-229. Underground utilities will be upgraded, concrete surfaced, and a center median added on Benson Road. The project also includes the city’s first triple left turn lane–from the I-229 northbound off-ramp onto westbound Benson Road.

IMPACTS TO DRIVERS: One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained during the construction west of I-229. Benson Road will be closed east of I-229 during construction in 2023, and will be open during construction in 2024. The on and off-ramps of I-229 will close periodically during construction. Nighttime closures of I-229 will occur when new bridge girders are being set.

ESTIMATED TIMELINE: Work is expected to begin April 3.

FINAL COMPLETION: Spring 2025

Veterans Parkway–Western Avenue to Cliff Avenue

PROJECT DETAILS: Similar to previous sections of Veterans Parkway, a six-lane roadway will be constructed with a raised, landscaped median. Work also includes a bridge over 85th Street, a pedestrian underpass, a roundabout at 95th Street and Western Avenue, along with reconstruction at the intersections of Cliff Avenue, Minnesota Avenue, and Western Avenue.

IMPACTS TO DRIVERS: Cliff Avenue will be impacted in 2023, with one lane of traffic in each direction being maintained at all times. Minnesota Avenue and Western Avenue will be impacted in 2024, as both roadways will be fully closed for a period of time during summer 2024. Nighttime closure of 85th Street will occur when new bridge girders are being set.

ESTIMATED TIMELINE: Work expected to begin in June.

FINAL COMPLETION: Fall 2024.

RIDE IMPROVEMENTS ON HIGH-TRAFFIC, HIGH-VOLUME STREETS

Sixth Street: I-229 to Sycamore Avenue Concrete Rehabilitation

PROJECT DETAILS: Concrete repairs and asphalt overlay on the western portion of the project. Full-depth and partial-depth concrete repairs on the eastern portion of the project, including diamond grinding of the pavement to improve the ride quality.

IMPACTS TO DRIVERS: One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times. Some side streets will be closed during portions of the work.

ESTIMATED TIMELINE: Work is expected to begin in May.

FINAL COMPLETION: October 2023

Cliff Avenue: 11th Street to 26th Street

PROJECT DETAILS: Concrete repairs, lighting upgrades, and traffic signal upgrades from 2022 will be completed with the an asphalt overlay in 2023.

IMPACTS TO DRIVERS: One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times. Some side streets will be closed during portions of the work.

OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS

Unity Bridge

PROJECT DETAILS: Reconstruction of the Unity Bridge and approximately 900 feet of Sixth Street, east to Weber Avenue. Additional improvements and upgrades will be made to underground utilities, railroad crossings, and streetscaping. This will include a 42-inch bore through quartzite, for the underground utilities to cross the railroad tracks, as well as preparatory work for a potential future whistle reduction zone through the downtown area.

IMPACTS TO DRIVERS: Sixth Street is closed during construction, with vehicle traffic detoured to Eighth Street. The Greenway Trail in this area is also closed during construction, with pedestrian traffic on the Greenway Trail re-routed through Falls Park and along Phillips Avenue, to the Arc of Dreams.

ESTIMATED TIMELINE: Work began mid-February.

FINAL COMPLETION: 2024.

ESTIMATED TIMELINE: Work is expected to begin in June.

FINAL COMPLETION: August 2023

26th Street: Cleveland Avenue to Alpine Avenue

PROJECT DETAILS: Concrete repairs will be completed with an asphalt overlay. This includes reconstructing 38 accessible curb ramps to meet current standards, along with minor storm drainage and lighting work.

IMPACTS TO DRIVERS: One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times. Some side streets will be closed during portions of the work.

ESTIMATED TIMELINE: Work is expected to begin in late June or early July.

FINAL COMPLETION: Late Fall 2023

85th Street and Cliff Avenue Intersection Reconstruction

PROJECT DETAILS: Reconstructing and widening Cliff Avenue from just north of 85th Street, to just south of 90th Street. Reconstructing and widening 85th Street from Cliff Avenue, extending west about 500 feet. Both streets will be four lanes with a raised center median and turn lanes. Additional work will be required to the water main, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, street lighting, and traffic signals.

IMPACTS TO DRIVERS: Both Cliff Avenue and 85th Street will be closed for the duration of construction. Cliff Avenue traffic will be detoured to Minnesota Avenue, and 85th Street traffic will be detoured to 69th Street.

ESTIMATED TIMELINE: Work expected to begin April 3.

FINAL COMPLETION: Mid-August, 2023–prior to start of new school year.

Neighborhood Grant Program

Each year, the City of Sioux Falls provides $50,000 for the Neighborhood Association Project Grant Program to encourage Sioux Falls residents to collaboratively identify and actively participate in making improvements in their neighborhood for the enhancement of the neighborhood’s livability, engagement, and to promote a strong sense of community.

All Sioux Falls neighborhoods that applied for grants this year, were awarded in-full or partial funding for their proposed projects. The Neighborhood Grant Program had multiple requests for traffic-calming equipment, along with requests for tree replacements from ash trees removed due to the emerald ash borer.

One of the more unique projects this year, are interpretive historic signs for residential properties in the Cathedral Neighborhood. The proposed signs will feature historic images and history of the property while viewing the home in its current condition. Resident Adam Weber, is leading the effort to place the first five of these interpretive signs in the neighborhood.

For the third year in a row, resident Mary Glenski has lead the research and coordination effort for residents in her neighborhood. She has been involved in providing historic markers on personal property to identify the architectural style of the property. This information will also include background on the original owner’s profession and contributions to the community. Several of the initial proprietors of property in the Cathedral area, have been founding fathers in our community. Glenski’s contribution continues to build pride and unity in her neighborhood.

The Cathedral area was the first residential historic district in South Dakota listed on the National Register. Cathedral residents are proud to share their history and knowledge, while attracting visitors for historic walking tours through the Siouxland Heritage Museum. For more information regarding upcoming tours, please visit: www.siouxlandmuseums.com

$7,812

All Saints Neighborhood

Increased communication efforts including an activity postcard mailer for residents without computer access. Intended solar speed sign on 14th Street.

$11,926

$13, 362

$10,506

Cathedral Neighborhood

McKennan Park Neighborhood

Tuthill Park Neighborhood

Proposed solar speed sign on 6th Street. Historical interpretive signs and markers.

Suggested solar pedestrian/park crossing signs for both 2nd and 4th Avenues.

Recommended solar pedestrian sign on Southeastern Boulevard for access to Lion Centennial Park and the bike trail. Additional landscape improvements with Boulevard trees. House and picnic shelter rental for National Night Out.

$6,350

Terrace Park Neighborhood

Landscape improvements suggested by adding trees along Covell Lake and hydrangea shrubs in the upper Park level. Expand creative aesthetic with addition of picnic table art.

Celebrate in Sioux Falls with Festivals and Fun

We value the opportunity to connect with the various and diverse community members of Sioux Falls. If you are planning a community event in Sioux Falls and would like members of the Human Relations Commission to attend, please contact the Human Relations Office regarding the details.

Sioux Falls Human Relations staff and commission members have been invited and plan to attend several upcoming spring and summer events. We invite you to join us in celebrating these vibrant communities of Sioux Falls.

2023 SEASON CALENDAR

2023

Music begins at 7 p.m.

JUNE

Ilabaca

Human Relations staff also provides free education regarding discrimination and harassment, fair housing, landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities, disability awareness, and other related topics upon request.

Stillhouse Junkies

Nnenna Freelon

Mato Wayuhi

The BoneShakers

The Shindellas

If your Neighborhood Association or Neighborhood Watch Group would like to request a training presentation, please contact us at 605-367-8745 or humanrelations@siouxfalls.org to discuss.

La Santa Cecilia

Rowan Grace Annie Mack

FAMILY

Music begins at 10:30 a.m.