Economic Development
Community Initiatives
- Request For Proposal: Dale Street Park Splash Pad Project
Sioux City Named Iowa Great Place in October 2005
The Great Places initiative was launched by Iowa's Governor Tom Vilsack in 2005 as a challenge to Iowans to be bold and creative as they transform what is unique, genuine and authentic about Iowa into great places for people to live and visit.
In October 2005, Sioux City, was one of three communities selected from a pool of 146 applicants to be named a pilot place by the Great Places Citizen Advisory Board. The state will work with the three communities to help them achieve their Great Places visions by targeting existing state resources and programs for maximum impact and results.
Sioux City's Great Places plan creates an expanded urban core that embraces our rich history, who we are, as well as our desire to diversify and offer something wonderful to our community and its visitors.
The plan consists of four successful major elements - Fourth Street Place, Front Door/Riverfront Access, the Yards, and the Sioux City School of Architecture.
Fourth Street Place
The 4th Street Place has always been at the core of our downtown. The plan calls for the continued revitalization of this important area with:
- Development of the new Sioux City Public Museum. The fundraising phase is underway.
Construction will commence in December 2008.
- Connection of Fourth Street between Nebraska and Jones Streets. Construction was completed and the street opened on September 10.
- Rehabilitation and renovation of the Badgerow Building is expected to be complete in the early part of 2009. Mako One Corporation is the current owner and developer of the Badgerow Building.
- Replacement of the Heritage Parking Ramp was completed ahead of schedule on June 20.
Front Door/Riverfront Access
The Riverfront has emerged as one of Sioux City's crown jewels. The plan calls for increasing the access to recreational, cultural, and historical attractions with:
- Reconstruction of Interstate 29 - opening downtown to the Riverfront.
The reconstrution of all segments of I-29, estimated at over $300 million, will replace aging infrastructure, improve safety, and correct traffic operations utilizing modernized design standards. Segment 2 is the downtown portion of the project in Sioux City. The project area begins approximately one-quarter mile south of the BNSF railroad bridge over the Missouri River and ends west of the Hamilton Boulevard interchange. The environmental phase of Segment 2 is near completion and is in the beginning stages of the design phase.
For a more comprehensive look at the I-29 construction, visit http://www.iowadot.gov/i29/index.htm.
- Incorporation of signature structures into the I-29 design idea.
- Connection of recreational trails throughout the downtown area will be completed after the I-29 reconstruction .
- The addition of wayfinding signage to invite people to visit our community's many attractions.
The city has completed and installed wayfinding signs directing traffic in downtown Sioux City.
Plans for the Riverfront signs are in the design stage.
- Enhancement of our front door by moving unsightly power lines and replacing the current I-29 fence with an aesthetically pleasing wall. Further development will continue during the reconstruction of I-29.
The Yards
In its glory days, the Yards transformed Sioux City from a frontier hamlet to a world power. The Great Places plan takes the Yards from its present position on the fringes to its rightful place in the very heart of Sioux City with:
- Transformation of the Yards Channel plan call for filling the channel with water and surrounding it by green space development to include a pedestrian walking trail that could connect to the Riverfront. Future enhancement would be possible with the expansion of terracing, ponding, and public amenities. The project is currently under Corporation of Engineers study.
- Incorporation of historic architectural elements into the Gordon Drive Bridge. This will occur after I-29 reconstruction is complete.
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Demolition of the KD Station.
On June 9th, the Sioux City City Council and Howard R. Green Consulting discussed an agreement on plans and specifications for the project specifically demolition and asbestos removal stages. The project will be open for bidding on February 3, 2009 with an anticipated contract award on February 23 and contract and performance bond approval on March 2.
Sioux City School of Architecture
Sioux City is home to a distinctive style of architecture. The Sioux City School of Architecture can best be described as a hybrid of the Prairie School and Art Deco styles. The plan calls for the renovation of and celebration of this unique form of architecture with:
- Development of a consistent terra cotta branding element throughout the downtown.
- Development of historic incentive bundling. During the 2007 Iowa Legislative session, legislation passed a bill to increase the cap on historic property rehabilitation tax credits. The tax credit allocated for new projects in cultural and entertainment districts or for projects identified in an Iowa Great Places agreement is $6 million in 2008 and $8 million in 2009.
- Establishment of a Regents School of Design that includes year round studio space for undergraduate and graduate work, office and administration areas, and lecture space.
- ISU Design West studio is a destination for students to learn, explore and interact on the topics of urban design, historic preservation and community development in Siouxland. The partnership will allow the students to grow as designers, and it will help the Sioux City community grow through dynamic interaction with the design professionals of tomorrow. The program is a partnership of the ISU College of Design, ISU Extension, and Sioux City, and supported in part by Iowa Great Places Grant.
www.design.iastate.edu/ISUDesignWest/
In October 2009, Sioux City Great Place attended the first annual Iowa Great Places Awards and Recognition Banquet in Des Moines. The committee received multiple awards for their achievement.
EXCEPTIONAL PROJECTS
Exceptional Marketing or Promotional Campaign: Campaigns that advance the project and plans of a place.(Recipient over 25,000 pop)
Exceptional Streetscape or Community Enhancement: Designs that promote local sustainability, diversity, education, or community health. (Recipient over 25,000 pop): Sioux City, ISU Design Studio West
Exceptional Preservation or Adaptive Re-Use Project: Involved the rehabilitation of an historic property for a traditional or modern use. (Recipient over 25,000 pop): Sioux City, ISU Design Studio West
SEVEN DIMENSIONS of a Great Place
Unique Sense of Place: Values historical roots and embraces a shared vision. “Cow Town with an Opera House”
EXCEPTIONAL VOLUNTEER
Di Gray
