Strategic Growth, Bold Vision: Mayor's 2024 State of the City Address
Published on April 18, 2024
Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Mayor Paul TenHaken delivered his annual State of the City address on Thursday at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, focusing on the strategic growth and bold vision shaping the City’s future. In his second term, Mayor TenHaken emphasized the visionary investments made by past leaders that continue to fuel the City’s smart and strategic expansion.
The address underscored the pivotal decisions facing City leaders and residents in the coming days and months, decisions that will define the City’s health and trajectory for generations to come.
Celebrating significant milestones, Mayor TenHaken acknowledged the courageous move made by visionary leaders in the early 1990s to transform the Washington Pavilion from an aging high school into a modern, vibrant performance and educational hub. This bold, visionary move has had an immeasurable economic impact on Sioux Falls.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Washington Pavilion, and to commemorate this occasion, Mayor TenHaken announced the upcoming installation of a new outdoor art attraction named “Cyclicality.” Generously funded by a private donor, this unique interactive installation will be situated on the north side of the property.
Looking ahead, Mayor TenHaken painted a vivid picture of Sioux Falls 25 years from now, especially with significant investments being made at Jacobson Plaza and the River Greenway and with the proposed Riverline Center.
“We envision this new convention center—the Riverline Center—as a catalyst for urban revitalization, igniting further development and investment in the surrounding area,” Mayor TenHaken expressed. “This dynamic addition to Sioux Falls’ vibrant downtown skyline will elevate our reputation as a destination for leisure and business alike.”
Later this year, the City Council will review the initial investment proposal for the purchase of Riverline District land, pending the completion of a feasibility and economic impact study. Additionally, the City Council will vote on the Aquatics and Recreation Bond in the upcoming month. This long-awaited bond will facilitate the replacement of two outdated public pools and introduce much-needed indoor recreation and aquatic spaces in neighborhoods on both the east and west sides of the city.
Additionally, Mayor TenHaken recognized the investments made into fundamental aspects of the community’s well-being, safety, and growth—in the areas of housing, public transportation, utilities, transportation infrastructure, and public safety. The Mayor acknowledged Sioux Falls’ significant growth with the analogy that over the past five years, the community has added a population equivalent to that of Aberdeen, SD, within its boundaries—the state’s third largest city.
As our city’s growth continues, Mayor TenHaken emphasized the importance of approaching this growth with wisdom, foresight, caution, and optimism. “Sioux Falls propels forward because of visionary community leaders who champion bigger, bolder, and lasting projects that will transcend our lifetimes,” Mayor TenHaken remarked. “This vision is not just for us; it’s for what Sioux Falls will become for our children and grandchildren.”
For further information, please contact Carleen Wild at (608) 692-0651.
Included here in the links are the 2024 State of City address and transcript