VIEWPOINT | Who wins when the Riverline District is developed?

Guest column by Clinton Brown, Executive Director of the BAM Institute of Civic Biodesign

Clinton Brown

Sioux Falls is growing. That’s the message from city leaders, business owners, and developers championing the Riverline District as the next big thing for downtown. A new stadium, expanded entertainment options and an influx of investments — it all sounds promising. However, as plans for this significant redevelopment take shape, a critical question lingers: Who benefits from this transformation?

City officials assure residents that no homes will be affected and that social services in the area will remain intact. However, evidence from other cities suggests that stadium-driven redevelopment often leads to rising property values, higher rents and the displacement of long-standing residents and businesses. Whether intentional or not, these projects tend to shift homelessness and lower-income populations elsewhere — out of sight and out of mind — rather than addressing the root causes of housing instability.

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