Downtown SF Anticipates Railroad Relocation

SIOUX FALLS, SD - The city now says there's a timeline for when the trains will be taken out of Downtown. A project that's seemed to drag on for years could be wrapped up in two years.

"We heard that two years ago too. So we're not hanging our hat on anything until we see the actual digging," business owner Caroline Peterson said.

Peterson's Plum's Cooking Company has been open at the 8th and Railroad Center for just about a year now. In that time, business has steadily picked up.

"This is kind of the little oasis for independent owners," Peterson said.

She picked this location because it is growing and there is actually room to expand, if the the railroad moves, that is.

"More shops locally and with unique items. It would be nice to have a boutique, hotel down here. There's older buildings that would lend themselves to that wonderfully," Peterson said.

Peterson says the announcement with yet another target date once again has neighborhood businesses buzzing.

"They're looking for it to grow exponentially over the next three years. And with the removal of the tracks, more expansion in that direction, that would be even more," Peterson said.

The city is wrapping up an environmental analysis connected with the relocation. Federal funds have been earmarked to pay for the relocation, but the city may also need to kick in a portion of the cost. That is all part of the project plan yet to be determined.