Improving Downtown Rapid City
Local News
by
Adam Uhernik and Stephany Beshara
last edited on
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Rapid City Council has approved the creation a downtown improvement district for a proposed public plaza and fountain in the parking lot on the corner of Main and 6th Street.
Some business owners are opposed to the project because businesses in the district would be taxed to help pay for the upkeep of the $6.5 million project if it is built.
The group pushing the plaza project, Destination Rapid City, says once built eventually the plaza would be self sufficient.
Dan Seftner, with RC Downtown Development, says, "With the events and many things that are going on, everything from the ice skates, sales of coffee, hot chocolate, beer sales soda sales, there will be many things that go on during events that will be revenue based."
Seftner says 67 percent of downtown businesses support this project.
And while some of those business owners say they're in favor of the project, they still have a few questions about the funding.
But one owner says she's not in favor of additional taxes and less parking.
Michelle Lammers co-owns the Mustard Seed Catholic Store in downtown Rapid City. And she says she has some concerns with some of the proposals for downtown, like developing land where parking spaces now sit.
Michelle Lammers, with the Mustard Seed Catholic Store, says, "And once that parking is gone, I don't know where we're supposed to go to park."
Lammers says she's not in favor of increasing taxes to build main street square.
"I've always been one that isn't for more taxes. I think we are so taxed as it is that, adding to it, is detrimental," says Lammers.
But others in the downtown business district say the higher taxes would be worth the investment if it improves the downtown area.
Dennis Halterman, with the Factory Salon, says, "I'm in favor of a bid and I'm in favor of improvements downtown, which probably would include lots of green space, a park, some type of central events center. My opposition is the particular proposal that has been given by Destination Rapid City for the Main Street Square."
Halterman says he's not sure the proposal is self sustaining. He says the numbers don't add up.
"Where as in concept I think it's a great idea, I think there needs to be more questions as to exactly how they're going to come up with a thousand dollars a day, five days a week, all year long in order to generate that income," says Halterman.
The owner of Tally’s says he's in favor of the proposal. He expects it would help keep his restaurant full.
"I think the more business we have downtown, the more energy we have, the more people. It's just a snowball effect, and it's going to keep on going."
It's a proposal some owners are divided on, but everyone seems to agree; improving downtown Rapid City in one way or another is a benefit.
But Monday night's proposal by Destination Downtown Rapid City isn't a done deal yet. They still need approval by the Legal and Finance Committee and then it goes back to city council members for the final approval.