• TIF it, TIF it good. The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday voted 7-1 (Councilor David Barranco as the lone dissent) to pass an $8 million tax-increment financing district for Railyard Holding Company, LLC. The TIF will offset costs for a new, mixed-use apartment and office building just east of 8th and Railroad Center.
  • Council voices concerns about donated land. The City Council voted to advance an ordinance to accept a 1.3-acre parcel of land near Falls Park for a future "Carmon Family Glen at Falls Park." But the second reading might not go as smoothly after several councilors voiced some concerns about the cost to make the formerly industrial land usable. Councilors asked the city parks department to bring specific details on what it'd take to get an environmental impact study and more information.
  • Big money for healthy littles. Avera this week announced a historic $35 million donation, the largest single gift in Avera's history, from philanthropist, entrepreneur and child health advocate B. Thomas Golisano. The funds will support the already underway construction of a new children’s hospital within the patient care tower at Avera McKennan. That will be named the Avera Golisano Children’s Hospital in honor of the donation. Learn more here about the hospital system's ongoing construction and growth plans.
  • City breaks ground on new Kuehn Park pool. Construction is officially underway on a new, $15.4 million outdoor pool at Kuehn Park. It's going to have a fitness pool for lap swimming and diving boards, a lazy river and an activities pool that starts at zero-depth and goes to 2 feet, as well as water slides, spray and crossing features and a rock climbing wall. Construction is expected to be completed next summer, and in the meantime, the current pool will be open for this summer.
  • Scam alert. The Minnehaha County Sheriff's office this week warned residents to be wary of scam text messages claiming to be an official court notice. Court and government agencies do not request payment through unsolicited texts or QR codes. So if you get one of those popping up, report it as spam and delete the message immediately.