Sioux Falls

The Average Cost of a Sioux Falls home went up $100K from last year

It seems the numbers for residential housing are way down, and developers are pushing towards building apartments;

The most noticeable drop is in new housing construction, which totaled $34.6 million, or 77 single-family homes, through April. Last year, it was $98.2 million, or 281 homes, and in 2021 it was $110.8 million, or 321 homes.

What is even more shocking is how the average price of a home in Sioux Falls is $100k more in just one year; 2021 ($345K) 2022 ($350K) 2023 ($450K). With an average mortgage rate of $4,000 a month. Real affordable? Huh? You would have to have a yearly household income of around $150k to afford this.

It is becoming more and more expensive to own a home in Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls City Council to be hopping tonight

There has been some chatter over the past couple of days that people will be speaking tonight at the council meeting over some controversial items. First is Item #110;

The purpose of this application is to allow the development of an institutional use over two stories tall.

This is a rezone to build the new state offices in a consolidated area next to Dawley Farm on the east side;

Advocates, The state plans to consolidate its various services into a “One-Stop” location.  That’s a fine idea, but the location is highly problematic: the far east side of town, far from the city center, far from other services people need.
    Here’s a KELO article on this:https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/lawmaker-concerned-with-sioux-falls-one-stop-location/    Sure, it’s move by the state, but our City Council cares about quality-of-life situations for the people of our city. At their meeting tomorrow(Tue) at 6pm, they can make the state take another look for the One-Stop location by not accepting the zoning change.    YOU can weigh in by (1) Coming to City Council meeting, 235 West Tenth St. and/or (2) Contacting city council members:

David.Barranco@siouxfalls.orgSarah.Cole@siouxfalls.orgAlexJensen@siouxfalls.orgRich.Merkouris@siouxfalls.org

gneitzert@siouxfalls.orgmselberg@siouxfalls.orgcsoehl@siouxfalls.orgpstarr@siouxfalls.orgMayor@siouxfalls.org

Obviously the new location also has issues with public transit.

The 2nd item has to do with alcohol licensing of a Lucky Lady’s Casino on the Loop that has been very troublesome. Item #19, Exhibit B on the consent agenda, MG Oil, Lucky Lady 1 & 2. I am of the understanding that between 4-6 councilors support pulling the licenses due to being a public nuisance. The council can reject a license based on suitable owner and suitable location.

TenHaken thinks climate change is polarizing

It certainly has become polarizing, but NOT by those who are trying to make change, but those who are trying to prevent it. It’s no longer a debate about when or how;

Sustainability. Climate change. Climate Crisis. The Green New Deal. However you phrase it, protecting and conserving our environment has unfortunately become a polarizing and political topic, no matter which side of the conversation you’re on. There’s a broad set of opinions and variables that need to be considered and as with most government decisions, “the devil is in the details.”

I am not in denial that our climate is changing.

I heard Bill Clinton once make a similar proclamation.

If there is one thing the voters of this community can expect based on my five-year mayoral track record, it’s that I am a consensus-building leader that brings pragmatic solutions to challenges, not giving undue attention to loud special interest groups.

In order to build consensus you must first meet with the affected groups IN PUBLIC and have a discussion. Consensus building doesn’t mean just meeting with your ‘team’ and making your managers deliver the bad news of your decision (this is what he did with the 6th street bridge project, bunker ramp mural rejection and sustainability study). When it comes to climate change there is only one special interest group; MANKIND!

While some special interest groups have mischaracterized listening to dissenting opinions as discounting their voices, it’s quite the opposite.

Instead of penning a letter and emailing it to a couple of local papers, maybe you should hold a Climate Change Town Hall so the community can come and talk about it. Tell us your side, and let them tell there side. By trashing their report and effectively ignoring them on the public stage sends a clear message of discounting their voices.