SCOUTING YESTERDAY | 'The Loop' cruisers targeted ahead of downtown Sioux Falls' revitalization

This week in South Dakota history: Jan. 17-23

Young people gathering at the intersection of 10th St. and Phillips Avenue prior to Loop laws. Photo: Argus Leader

It’s been a quarter century since the city of Sioux Falls took its first step toward shutting down “The Loop,” a move credited with sparking a revitalization of the city’s downtown district.

A task force set up by city government to address a downtown Sioux Falls hangout area for youth referred to as The Loop heard from a group of young people who blamed problem behavior on kids that frequented a parking lot known as “Loser’s Lot,” according to the Jan. 20, 2000, edition of the Argus Leader.

Loser’s Lot was a city-owned surface lot at 10^th St. and Main Ave. next to Carnegie Town Hall.