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The Rapid City Council has voted to explore funding options to design an expansion of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
The proposed expansion that could cost as much as $150 million would include two parking garages with 3,500 spots and an arena with up to 20,000 seats to host concerts, conventions and sporting events. The existing 9,400-seat arena would be used for other purposes.
A possible source of funding is the city's sales tax-supported economic development fund. But some in the community say the city is moving too fast and not following the proper process used to select Vision Fund projects.
Mayor Sam Kooiker says any Civic Center expansion project should go before voters.
