Land Swap Could Equal Stockyards Development

SIOUX FALLS, SD - The city of Sioux Falls is working with several businesses to find them areas to expand. That will in turn bring jobs and development to the city and includes major redevelopment at the former stockyards location.

The Sioux Falls Stockyards were part of the city's economy for more than 90 years. But the land has been sitting idle for more than a year. A proposal to bring a metal recycling center there was met with opposition. So now plans are being made for Xcel Energy to build a new $8 million substation there and the old buildings will come down.

"This is a shining example of a public-private collaborative that has been very successful," Jim Clark of Xcel Energy said.

Xcel Energy says that will improve their service to those in the city. In turn, Xcel will give up a plot of land just north of Great Bear. That’s where TJN Enterprises now plans to build their metal recycling center.

"We've been working on trying to find a new site for more than five years. We've made multiple attempts and multiple locations in Sioux Falls," David Bernstein of TJN Enterprises said.

Xcel Energy owns hundreds of acres along Rice Street, but TJN will get a 25-acre lot. Another key component to that location is its location along railroad lines.

In all, the work will bring $20 million in development and could add about 20 jobs to the area workforce. Mayor Mike Huether says this is a major score for Sioux Falls.

"In my mind, this is a 106-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, but it was done in a way in which we had more than one carrier carrying the ball," Huether said. 

If everything is approved, old buildings at the stockyards could start coming down yet this year. Construction at the recycling yard could start as early as next spring.

Those involved in the land swap must now get several permits for the projects to move forward, but project planners say those should be small hurdles in the process.

The power substation will use about half of the 25 acres at the former stockyards. City leaders say they're hopeful they can announce development for the remaining half sometime soon.