Another sign of how suburban and backwards Sioux Falls is...SF is basically the equivalent of Papilion-Lavista with over 100,000 people.
Events center, yes, but not downtown
Denise D. Tucker
[email protected]
published: 10/1/2004
Poll suggests support for specific site
A new events center should be built in Sioux Falls but not downtown, according to a new poll sponsored by the Argus Leader and KELO-TV in Sioux Falls.
Of those polled, 53 percent were in favor of replacing the Arena with an events center with up to 12,000 seats, and 40 percent opposed the new facility. Seven percent were undecided.
"It's kind of an encouraging poll for the events center," said Mayor Dave Munson.
As for the location of a new facility, 47 percent polled did not want the events center downtown, 26 percent favored a downtown facility and 27 percent weren't sure.
The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research in Washington, D.C. The firm phoned 180 likely voters in the Sioux Falls metropolitan area from Sept. 20-22.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 7 percentage points.
"It's paramount to start thinking of the events center. By the time you get from step A to step B, it's going to take a few years," said Sioux Falls resident Dan Sahr, 44, who was polled.
A 20-member task force appointed by Munson has been studying the prospect of an events center since May and settled on two locations: the current site of the Zip Feed mill along the Big Sioux River in north downtown or near the current Arena and Convention Center.
Out-of-town fears
Sahr said downtown would not be a good place because people from out of town might be afraid to drive there and would rather reach their destination just off the interstate.
"They don't want to drive in Sioux Falls," he said, and promoters want crowds from around the region.
Ray Reker, 79, of Sioux Falls said a new events center is unnecessary. He suggested that the Arena is plenty big, with a 6,800-seat capacity for many events.
"I think we've got enough room where we're at. We don't need to spend the taxpayers' money," Reker said. "The Washington Pavilion isn't making its way; why would we put up a unit that wouldn't benefit the people? It wouldn't benefit me."
However, if an events center is to be built, he said he'd prefer it downtown.
"It should be downtown," Reker said. "We should try to revitalize our downtown and make it more active than it is."
Filling in the details
Linda Barker, co-chairwoman of the Public Facilities Task Force, said people will be able to visualize the downtown location better after the the Zip Feed mill is down and the railroad tracks are removed.
"All the exciting possibilities have not been fully explained to the public," Barker said.
Eventually, computer drawings will help residents to have a better understanding of the size and scope of the facility, she said.
"It will help people to realize these are two equal sites," Barker said.
Munson said the city needs to have a conversation with the public to assess the preferred location if it's not downtown.
Barker said she is pleased with the initial poll results, considering that the public hasn't been educated about the events center.
"We really haven't gone to a full-scale educational process for the public," she said.
"When we get the finished product, we'll be able to present a final report."
The task force will give the mayor a formal recommendation on the events center by February.
"People that settle in Sioux Falls are looking for a quality of life," Barker said.
"This fits into a community progressive attitude that makes the city what it is."
Reach reporter Denise D. Tucker at 331-2335.
Wow. Now I've heard everything. 