(Editor's note: This is just one part of a series of stories about local candidates in the upcoming June 2 primary, municipal and school board election. Find more coverage here.)
Simplified: One of Mayor Paul TenHaken's big initiatives in his final term as mayor was an effort to purchase land downtown – the Riverline District – as a proposed site for a new convention center. That plan is on pause, but the city still owns the land for the time being. Sioux Falls Simplified asked each City Council candidate for their thoughts on a downtown convention center.
Here's what we asked:
Do you support building a new convention center downtown?
Here's how candidates answered (in alphabetical order):
At-Large A
Vince Danh:
"Eventually, we will need one, just based on the capacity that's coming into Sioux Falls – the work that we’re losing because of what we have," Danh said. "The tough part is we’re still paying for the old one. I think in terms of fiscal responsibility we’ve gotta take care of what we have first, and then we can look forward."
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James Oppenheimer:
"I support a convention center. I don't know if downtown (Riverline District) is the right place for it. I'm really curious to hear what other options there are."
Juliann Perrigo Talkington was unable to meet in-person or respond to questions sent virtually in time for publication. This will be updated if/when those responses are received or a meeting is set.
At-Large B
Rich Merkouris said he wants to see the city "double down" on a new convention center as a way to bring Monday-Thursday visitors to the city.
"All these small shops we enjoy, these restaurants we enjoy – the best way we can help them is by bringing more visitors to our community," he said. "And some of our samll shops some of our restaurants are struggling right now. I’m big on whatever we do with the master plan, I want conventions, and I want visitors to be a key element of that."
Samantha Scarlata:
"No, absolutely not, because we have a convention center already. Why build another convention center?"
See all Simplified election coverage here:
