$15M power and light complex to replace Sioux Falls' aging municipal power operations

Plant that houses Sioux Falls Light and Power Division has been in operation since 1901

Sioux Falls municipal power operations could be moving to the outskirts of town as the city’s century-old electricity plant nears its end.

The Sioux Falls Public Works Department is planning a $15 million complex at 60th Street North and Sycamore Avenue that would be the new home for the Sioux Falls Light and Power Division, which supplies electricity to nearly 3,000 customers and maintains more than 22,000 streetlights in the city. Since 1901, the city’s municipal power plant and operations have been located at 2000 N. Minnesota Avenue.

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At over 130 years old, the structure is no longer adequate to house the Light and Power Division, particularly the vehicles and equipment used in the electricity industry today, said Jerry Jongeling, the city’s traffic, power and light superintendent.

“Equipment the team uses today is much heavier and larger and it is difficult to store inside due to the facility’s size and basement, which creates a weight limit on the main floor,” he said.

Sioux Falls Public Works Director Mark Cotter said some equipment cannot be stored at the Municipal Power Plant because the floor can’t handle the load. 

“One of its main limiting factors is it has a basement under it so the weight of our vehicles that the power linemen use, (they) cannot park on it,” he said.