Intere"T

I have been a little distracted for the past few months trying to get my mind around what is happening in our little city by the Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls is growing in every direction; even succeeding the visions of the most visionary among us---and several of us have been termed too visionary for any earthly good, believe me!

Dennis Sanford, owner of 1st Premier Bank & Credit Card recently funded a trust to provide Sioux Valley Health Systems (now Sanford Health) with $50 million per year for 8 years to build a new children's hospital along with specialized Pediatric health clinics scattered around the U.S.

Craig Lloyd, long time homebuilder and developer, was able to secure the partnership of OPUS Corp. (aka the Rauenhorst Const. Co.) a major Twin City based developer of premier office, retail and integrated communities around the U.S. to start the creation of a 300 acre, $300 million planned community ranging from E. 10th St. to E. 26th St. along the west side of Hwy. 11---known as Dawley Village.

ParaPassu, Inc. headed up by retired Sioux Valley Hospital accountant, Chuck Lockhart's sons Jon, Jim and funded by Twin City investors previously involved in building the Mega Mall is creating "The Galleria by River Bend" where the old Arndt's junkyard was based out on E. 10th St. It will house 1,000,000 in square feet of high-end retail shops & personalized services.
In addition they are developing the land to the north & east of the existing Willow Run golf course & the old settlement of East Sioux Falls to provide residential lots with great views & character----several of which I understand are already sold for $250,000 and more each.

The Van Buskirk family headed by father, Myron---friendly competitor of Craig Lloyd who joined him in the transition of the SF Homebuilders Assoc. from John Weber & Orlie Hjellming in the 70's---currently has 9 different developments under way in all parts of our fair city. He has been joined by sons Mike and Steve under the banner of Van Buskirk Companies.

Yesterday I got the opportunity to see a newly-approved development created by Darrel Vierick that incorporates 100's of acres of land owned by approximately 20 different parties spreading across several sections east of the junction of Hwy. 11 and 57th St.

The $150 million Uptown project along the west side of Mayor Munson's Phillips Ave. to the Falls legacy is proceeding and will provide new Class A office space, upscale retail shopping and a variety of multi-use facilities evolving from the existing Larson Hardware building near 3rd & N. Main Ave.

More news to come......