Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Another super hot weekend

This week, there's a lot of big things happening at the zoo, and we've got some fun announcements to share with you today. Plus, changes to Sioux Falls' public transit appear to be paying off as ridership increases.

And now, news:

CITY

How public transit changes are bringing in more riders

Simplified: Sioux Area Metro saw a 23% increase in ridership over the last year, according to data from Via, the company contracted by the city to run public transit services.

Why it matters

  • Via took over the city's public transit system in January 2024, and last fall added a new on-demand ride option in August as well as an overhaul of the city's fixed routes later in the fall.
  • It took a few months for folks to adjust to the changes, according to Via Director of Operations Emily Shapiro, but by April of this year, ridership had surpassed 8,000 rides per month on on-demand alone. Plus, there's been a 9% increase in fixed-route ridership.
  • The combination of on-demand and fixed routes has helped the overall transit system to be more efficient. Shapiro said one exciting point in all of this is that the system is now serving 100% of the city, but the cost per ride remained net neutral.
"Previously you had this bus system that only accessed (less than half) of the population," Shapiro said. "But now 100% of Sioux fall residents can access public transit for the same cost per ride."

Tell me more

COMMUNITY

Zoo celebrates new baby, new partnership and more

Simplified: For the first time in more than 20 years, the Great Plains Zoo welcomed a snow leopard cub. It's just one of the surprise announcements unveiled Thursday night during Zoofari, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium's (SFZA) fundraising event.

Wait, more surprises? Like what?

SFZA also announced an unprecedented reciprocal partnership with the San Diego Wildlife Alliance which will allow Sioux Falls zoo members free access to the San Diego Zoo and vice versa.

Additionally, SFZA announced that it'll break ground this fall on a butterfly garden at the Great Plains Zoo campus – the first of three phases to bring the Butterfly House and Aquarium to the zoo campus.

Tell me more

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Meet the business making old spaces new again.* CREATE Design + Develop is a boutique architecture and development firm focused on transforming overlooked and rural areas through thoughtful, people-first design. With a mission to spark economic growth and community excitement, CREATE Design + Develop specializes in hospitality, multi-family, commercial, and adaptive reuse projects that are both creative and cost-efficient. From concept to completion, their team brings vision, strategy, and soul to every project.
  • Airport expansion moves forward. The Sioux Falls Regional Airport will expand with more gates – increasing from seven to 12, though the expansion plan has been pared down a bit after the state declined to add more funding for the project. SiouxFalls.Business has the full story.
  • So long, Sam. Public Information Officer Sam Clemens – the face of the daily police briefing – is retiring this week after 25 years with the Sioux Falls Police Department. Reporter Steve Young wrote a lovely feature on Clemens' career for Pigeon605 that sums things up better than I could.
    • And, on a personal note, my first professional news job was covering crime and breaking news for Argus911, which meant attending the 10:30 a.m. police briefing every day. Sam was always so kind to me and all of the other reporters, and he always patiently helped us understand what was going on. Congrats on your retirement, Sam!
  • Jacobson Plaza has official opening date. The city's largest park, along with a splash pad, dog park, ice ribbon and lodge/warming house, is officially set to open Monday, according to a news release. Here's a look at the playground:

*Denotes a paid partnership

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

What would it cost to build a downtown convention center?
The city would have to spend between $225 and $250 million to build a new downtown convention center that would likely still operate at a deficit, according to a draft report from Johnson Consulting presented to the Riverline District Steering Committee on Tuesday afternoon.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Stuff to do: June 25-July 1
Here’s a look at what’s going on in Sioux Falls this week.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Super Simplified Stories
A new park nears opening, a new superintendent is coming, and here’s one way to start planning your July 4 festivities.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

WANT TO HELP MORE PEOPLE FEEL THIS SMART?

Support Sioux Falls Simplified

Here are a few ways to ensure this smarter, easier local news outlet is here to stay:

  • Forward this to a friend. Sharing is caring, and the best gifts are the ones that make your life easier – like this smarter, easier local news.
  • Become a member. Consider buying into a smarter Sioux Falls by becoming a member and offering financial support to the no B.S. journalism you've been reading here.
  • Give a one-time gift. Not ready to commit to a membership? That's OK! If you want to help in a smaller way, you can give a one-time gift here.
  • Advertise with us. Tell the "simplified" story of your business to your target audience. Want more info? Reach out to megan@sfsimplified.com.

Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, Great Bear Ski Valley, 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, 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. ❤️