SF Mayor Says Process Bumpy, But Worth It

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether admits the process of working on a large city project like the events center is a lot different from the business world where he gained his experience. 

Huether wants to be challenged during the process, but also wants to be productive and work together to build a facility that's been talked about for years but never completed. 

Sioux Falls new mayor was never involved in politics until he was elected this spring, and as the former credit card executive sits at city council meetings and takes criticism about his events center proposal, he realizes just how different the two jobs are. 

"It's dramatically different from where I came from," Huether said.

Huether knew the job would be challenging but he says work on the events center has been trying. 

"Here, it's take a couple steps forward and a step back. A couple steps forward and a step back. It's a more unique process," Huether said.

The mayor says he's working to be open and honest about the plan he's proposing for the large project.

"We are trying so hard to communicate with the public on this critical project. We're trying so hard to be fair and balanced and professional. But, sometimes it seems the harder we try the more challenging it becomes. Especially when there are people out there trying to throw wrenches in the process," Huether said.

But, no matter how many wrenches come his way Huether says he's determined to work through them.

"As painful and as trying as this process is, and yes I'm losing some sleep over it, in the end it's all going to be worth it. This city will be able to celebrate, and this state will be able to enjoy the good things Sioux falls has been able to accomplish," Huether said.

And he says he will accomplish it, even if the process is different from the business world he's used to.

Huether says these challenges are nothing new to large projects like this. He says city's that have built events centers across the country all face challenges and critics.