With the recent arrest of a very talented (yet criminal) graffiti artist and the great success of Rapid City’s graffiti alley, is it time to do something similar in Downtown Sioux Falls?
I have often had long discussions with artist friends on how we could do guerilla art projects downtown without damaging property. I did the photos of sculpture walk sculptures with paper bags over their heads. I have also suggested just leaving random pieces of art at places (but that would be considered littering).
I think it is time DTSF explores their own graffiti alley, and I hope to bend the ear of the new DTSF director when he takes over this month about the idea.
The alley beside Hotel Alex Johnson is amazing. It used to be dark and drug dealers. There’s still some Rif Raf but the amazed tourists keep it safe. It’s dim with light in the right places. Main & 6th is a busy place referee to as Market Square. There’s a score of restaurants. Any food type, not just steak like Phillips here. The plaza has a fountain square with 30 water spurts the kids run through in summer. There’s always a free folk type band.
Rapid City is democracy. It’s not just public comment at council meetings, it’s answers to questions from city representatives. Transparency and accountability is why their city has evolved into not only a great place to live but also a tourist attraction.
Road trip? I’m retired now and don’t need airport schedule for business. Maybe move there! Business environment is better oriented toward side income seniors. Tax climate is the same if not better. There’s scenery but the best part is the free folksy attitude of the people. They’re not restricted to cubicle farm call centers dealing with sad overextended people from around the country. Their city government listens and serves citizens no matter their social status or economic class. It seems there’s exclusive attention to upper class indoor sports country club types in Sioux Falls. The biggest reason to live there is to escape the repression of Sioux Falls oligarchy.
What are you waiting for?
The grass is always greener on the other side…Do you follow the news in Rapid City? They have had a pretty rough year. Maybe pick Yankton or Walnut Grove if your looking for some pie in the sky.
From a Rapid City Blog:
Rapid City spends more money chasing people away from its stupid community than it does making it a nicer place to live. If Democrats were in office, shelters would be built to invite people to more hospitable surroundings without the oppressive christian propaganda that haunts homeless people at the Cornerstone “Mission.”
I was thinking more like townhomes with airbnb.com PayPal revenue. Me live part time both places. Could make 5k there for Sturgis week and another 15k for summer tourists and winter snowmobile skiers. Here I’d be there for Jazz Fest or Denny Dome concerts.
PayPal, Ipay, BitCoin etc. are barter credits. No income or sales tax if I spend on other barter without converting to cash.
A big reason I’d like Rapid presence is council presentation information so they see how Home Rule on the east side of the state has become socialist oligarchy. 10 or so public question/answer appearances before the gubernatorial election.