Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
First things first: This issue is brought to you by SafeSplash Swim School.
- May is Water Safety Month and SafeSplash is celebrating with 20% off select lessons. Choose from their newly opened Thursday afternoon or Saturday morning lesson spots in May. Then use code "ThuSat20" at checkout. Offer expires April 23rd and spots are limited. Act now!
Weather check: Hot and windy...so don't go starting any fires
🎉 Cool thing: I'm hosting a "Zine Folding Party" on May 2 for two reasons: 1) to help me fold 1,500 zines I printed to help promote Sioux Falls Simplified AND 2) to hang out with this awesome community. Don't know what a 'zine' is? Trust me, they're cool (and cheap, which is part of what makes them so cool).
- Come hang out with me May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Startup Sioux Falls for a Zine Folding Party!
This week, hold onto your hat because there's a whole bunch more election coverage coming your way this week – starting with a comprehensive look at the At-Large City Council candidates today. Plus, Minnehaha County has some big construction plans on the horizon – including demolishing the Coliseum. You'll also find a ton of events and Super Simplified stories.
And now, news:
2026 CITY ELECTION
Meet the At-Large City Council candidates
Simplified: Five people are looking to fill two open at-large seats on the Sioux Falls City Council. Four of the five candidates sat down with Sioux Falls Simplified for filmed interviews covering a wide range of topics from affordable housing to data centers and much more.
Why it matters
- Four of the eight City Council seats are up for election this year, with only one incumbent, Councilor Rich Merkouris. That means, no matter what, there will be at least three new faces on the council (including at least one at-large seat).
- The councilors who fill the "at-large" seats represent the entire city – meaning no matter what side of town you live on, you'll want to pay attention to these races in particular.
- Three candidates are looking to fill the At-Large A seat, including: Vince Danh, James Oppenheimer and Juliann Perrigo Talkington. Two candidates are vying for the At-Large B seat: Rich Merkouris and Samantha Scarlata.
- This guide aims to make it easy to feel smart about how the candidates feel on a wide variety of relevant policy issues. If you prefer to listen/watch full interviews, you'll find them all on YouTube.
Let's talk policy
Here's how the candidates responded to questions regarding:
- Homelessness
- Affordable Housing
- Public Safety
- Collaboration between Sioux Falls police and federal immigration officials (i.e. ICE)
- Public art
- Sustainability
- Childcare
- A downtown convention center
- Data centers
- Smithfield and the future of downtown.
See full coverage here
COUNTY
The county's new facilities plan includes demolishing the Coliseum
Simplified: Minnehaha County Commissioners saw the final draft of a long-term facilities master plan on Tuesday. Construction plans in the next decade include tearing down the current administration building in favor of a brand new facility, and demolishing the historic Coliseum to make room for more office space for the Public Defender's Office.
Why it matters
- The county's current administration building isn't big enough to accommodate the various county departments and personnel needed to serve a fast-growing population. The building, more than 70 years old, has "served its purpose very well, but it's time to move forward," as Commissioner Dean Karsky put it.
- In solving for the overcrowded admin building, the county sought the help of contractors – Architecture, Inc., HDR and Tegra Group – to take a comprehensive look at the entire county campus.
- Those recommendations, presented in their final form Tuesday, include multiple phases over the next 30 years. The first phase – between now and 2035 – includes a $23.6 million parking ramp, a new, $58.6 million administration building and the demolition of the Coliseum in preparation for a future office building.
- Lutheran Social Services, the nonprofit currently overseeing operations in the Coliseum, declined comment for this story.
"Really, it's an underutilized asset for the county," Architecture, Inc.'s Andrew Eitreim said of the Coliseum. "It doesn't serve the county any significant purpose, so the county needs to consider that and understand what the long-term future for that facility could be."
- County Commissioners on Tuesday said they've spoken publicly about this plan several times but haven't heard much feedback from the public.
"Our emails are always available, and it would be great to hear from people," Commissioner Jen Bleyenberg said.
Tell me more about the facilities plan
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- 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.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: April 22-28
- 🌎Celebrate Earth Day. There are a number of ways to go green this week in celebration of Earth Day – including a river clean-up with Friends of the Big Sioux River (more locations here), a Party for the Planet at Sertoma Park and a chance to try a Big Sioux Brew at Remedy Saturday evening. Prefer wine? Gist is also hosting a "Civics Uncorked" Earth Day clean-up event. And, if you're looking for an excuse to spend a little extra time outside, the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum is hosting an Earth Day event Friday evening.
- 💐Party in the garden. The Cliff Avenue Greenhouse is hosting a free Gourmet Garden Party Thursday evening with special discounts, gourmet food samples and giveaways every 30 minutes. Learn more here.
- Escape the Streets. Midwest Street Medicine is bringing back its Escape the Streets event this weekend with an immersive scavenger hunt fundraising event. The goal is to raise awareness about the challenges unhoused people face in navigating support systems, while also raising money to support the work of Midwest Street Medicine. There are cash prizes available for winners. Learn more and get your tickets here.
- 📚Go beyond the books. The Our Savior's Lutheran Community Library is hosting a two-day Beyond the Books event Friday and Saturday with presentations from authors, book signings, vendor fair and a celebration of literature. Details and tickets here.
- Support young artists. Art from middle and high schoolers will be on display at Mosaic on Thursday evening as part of the Emily's Hope Youth Art Showcase. This year’s theme, “Rise Above,” encouraged students to use their voices and talents to share how they rise above using substances and overcome challenges through positive expression. More details here.
- Celebrate spring on the farm. Five Generations Fresh, a local farm in Hartford, is hosting a Spring Fling event this weekend with a coffee truck, petting zoo, seedlings and other local vendors. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including SafeSplash Swim School, Wayne & Mary's Nutrition Center, Startup Sioux Falls, Encompass Mental Health, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, The Premiere Playhouse, The Good Night Theatre Collective and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
Oh, by the way
Your feedback is extremely helpful – hit the reply button and send any news tips, typos, complaints, compliments or cups of coffee my way. ❤️
Special thanks to SafeSplash Swim School!
Use code "ThuSat20" to save 20% on select classes in May. Find a class near you here.
