by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
During the council meeting held October 11, an update was given on the economic development meetings that have occurred between business leaders, city leaders, and Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. At the same time, the possible locations for the city hall/event center drew criticism from community members.
Economic Development Director Jessica Fueston gave an update on meetings that have been hosted by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance with the goal of improving economic development in Garretson. An initial step that will be taken soon was the creation of a central economic development group, which would then have subcommittees that all served the same goal in different ways.
Fueston stated that discussions would be happening soon with several different organizations around town to brainstorm ways of merging or combining efforts under the economic development umbrella. Suggested organizations included the Industrial Development group, the Garretson Commercial Club, and Grow Garretson, among others, and offer the goal of central communication and a wider volunteer base. Concerns include ensuring consistent turnover on the executive board, as it is common for the same handful of people to serve in leadership positions for many years (whether by choice or by an inability to find a replacement), and having enough volunteers to fill each of the subcommittees. Fueston stated it was a work in progress.
Later in the meeting, economic development was in the forefront of everyone's minds as Infrastructure Design's Chad Hanisch gave an update on the city hall/event center location. At the council's request, Hanisch had completed an initial study on the plot of land along 254th Street. He had also completed an initial study on moving the building approximately 1-2 blocks south of the first-proposed location. Both northern options would recommend a 4-acre land purchase, while the southern location would recommend extending Main Avenue from Sarah C Street to 254th Street, which would also require the same land purchase.
Extension of Main would allow for another entrance into town from Highway 11, though it too would have to deal with railroad crossings.
Potential costs for the two newest options include not only the road construction and land purchase, but also a sewer lift station.
Community members in attendance voiced their opposition to all three of the plans.
Janine Kentfield expressed her concerns about traffic. The council assured her that while yes, traffic may increase, it wouldn't be constant. This was also a concern they were working to address with the potential construction of Main to the south.
Scott Hansen challenged the council on the lack of IT equipment to show the plans to the audience in attendance. The mayor pointed out that the Legion was not their building. They have been plagued by IT issues during meetings.
Mayor Beaner called a short recess to allow Hanisch to explain the plans to those who wanted to gather around.
When the council had re-adjourned, Kentfield expressed her preference for having the center down by 254th street. Her concern continued to be traffic, especially after a large wedding.
Hansen, whose tone was angry and hostile, was concerned about not only increased traffic, but lighting in the area. He also brought up his opposition due to the potential tax burden the event center could create.
"You guys say you need a third entrance into Garretson, what for?" he asked. "The expense and the cost of putting in a new roadway, the sewer... Out of the three plans I saw, that was the best one, 'cause I don't want it in my front yard, plain and simple. I don't care if you shove it a half a block south, it's not gonna be that big of deal. You'll still have security lights on that place, they'll be on all night long. There'll be noise from events."
He questioned whether it was economically prudent for the City to be spending money that it is likely to lose and not be able to recoup through rental fees.
"This'll be a money pit," he stated.
Mayor Beaner pointed out that it was not just an event center, but also a new city hall facility.
"It'll take money to maintain and operate," Hansen said. "I don't want it to be a tax burden on me. I don't want it in my front yard or back yard... I didn't buy a house in this town, in that part of town, to look at a city hall and events center. I can guarantee there's a lot of people in my neighborhood that feel the same way."
"Then they can come up here and voice their opinions," said council member Jodi Gloe.
"They don't want to come talk to you because they know it doesn't go anywhere," Hansen retorted.
"How do you know?" she challenged.
He pointed out Nielsen's Construction and the issues he's seen with the new development before Mayor Beaner brought him back to the subject at hand.
Crooks' event hall/community center has already been outgrown due to its popularity, and waiting lists are well over a year for other event centers in the area.
Brad Farrell was concerned about future residential housing in the area, and whether future development would be stymied due to the facility. He also expressed preference for the southern-most location, as it might strongly entice residential development to continue to the south.
Carrie Moritz expressed an opposition to moving city hall out of the business district, which council member Jodi Gloe concurred with. Farrell and Fueston followed with a concern that the business district would be encouraged to move south and abandon downtown if the event center and city hall moved south.
The council reassured the audience that re-zoning would be required if a commercial business wanted to build near the event center, and they wouldn't be issuing future commercial zoning in that area. However, no discussion about keeping the event center and city hall separate occurred.
No further action was taken, and the council expressed gratefulness that the members of the community were willing to attend and voice their opinions.
