A redevelopment study from 15 years ago will get a dusting-off after Monday’s City Council meeting.
Back in 2009, Olsson Associates did a study for the City of South Sioux City for redevelopment of Dakota Avenue from the Missouri River bridge to 29th Street.
The study was completed, but was never put into action.
“They had a plan where the flag park was not going to be there,” said Oscar Gomez, the city’s economic development director. “I’m not sure what the conversations were back then, but there were two concepts — one where the flags would be better placed at Siouxland Freedom Park, and the other was to leave it there and enhance it and make it better.”
Making a better view of the park for people who come into the city from the north was something that was hoped for, and the Council and Mayor Rod Koch discussed whether or not to do something with the old study or have a new one completed.
“I think we have to have a plan on this and have some active participation from the (American) Legion on it,” Koch said.
A study would also include nailing down color schemes for businesses along Dakota Avenue, an issue that has come up a couple of times in recent months.
“We can straighten that out and get exactly what we want here, and that would include the flag park.”
Councilman Randy Meyer said that since the city has committed to taking care of the two Howitzer guns that are located at the park as decorative items, a new plan should be drawn up.
“It sounds like a lot to draw up, but it’s going to include a lot more than that,” he said. “Since we agreed we want to keep the Howitzers here, they can incorporate how we can make this the most appealing for the city.”
The Council, on a 7-0 vote (Jim Gunsolley was absent), approved a $75,000 study with Olsson Associates to look at Dakota Avenue from the bridge to 29th Street.
Councilman Ben Schultz said this study shouldn’t be ignored like the last one was.
“We can’t spend $75,000 to have another plan sit for 15 years like this one,” he said. “We have to hold whoever is going to do this accountable to make sure we’re actually going to go through with this and not spend $75,000 on a pretty pan.”
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