Plan For Hotel, Conference Center Scrapped

A Sioux Falls developer is abandoning a plan to build a hotel and conference center near Brookings' Swiftel Center.

The city announced Thursday that Hegg Companies' plan to build a hotel adjacent to the center would not move forward because of "insufficient market strength."

Brookings Mayor Tim Reed says he's disappointed in the outcome of the market study but not sorry that the city made the attempt.

The developer wanted to build an upscale hotel with approximately 100 rooms, most likely a Courtyard by Marriott. The hotel would have included a restaurant with bar and lounge, fitness center, business center and an aquatic center.

The city had agreed to lease and manage the conference center.