VIEWPOINT | Bringing back Pettigrew Heights worth the work, time

Guest column by Les Kinstad, former Sioux Falls Community Development Director

An often-forgotten part of our city has recently drawn attention with the commitment by the city of Sioux Falls of $2.8 million for the demolition and redevelopment of the Mercato Building on West 11^th Street. The Mercato has long been a focal point for the drugs, crime and other illegal activities that have plagued the area over the past decade. The building was also seriously deteriorated and showed evidence of complete neglect and decay. 

The city is to be congratulated on their commitment of funds to get this project moving and underway. This jump start for the project has already stimulated an additional significant investment by Southeastern Behavioral Health for its new office space on the Mercato site. In addition, the likely award of affordable housing funds by the South Dakota Housing Authority will also create 58 much needed units of affordable housing on the upper floors of that building. This illustrates how an initial input of public funds can stimulate new investment by the private sector. The net result is that a deplorable community eyesore and a center of criminal activity will be replaced with a new, modern building. That will be a very positive development for the neighborhood and will help to turn Pettigrew around.

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