Sioux Falls settles with mansion owners, gives couple until March to finish project

6800 S. Westfield Trail deal comes with condition that Streizheuses rescind discrimination claims against Mayor TenHaken, City Hall

A Ukrainian couple that’s been building what they call their dream home for nearly a decade will get more time to finish the partially complete mansion that had been slated for demolition.

The city of Sioux Falls has reached a settlement with Vitaly and Natalia Strizheus that will spare the 8,000-square-foot structure at 6800 S. Westfield Trail from being razed — if the work is finished by March 31, 2024.

As part of the deal, the Strizheuses have also agreed to place an undisclosed amount of money in an escrow account to ensure construction costs can be covered, pay $100,000 to the city for attorneys fees, costs of litigation and code enforcement expenses and drop a discrimination complaint they had leveled against the city.

If those terms aren’t met and an occupancy permit is not obtained by the March deadline, the entire property becomes — the land and structure — the city’s possession.

NEWS: Property owner vows to start project over if Sioux Falls destroys 8,000-square-foot house that towers over Prairie Hills neighborhood