RAPID CITY, S.D. – An open house on draft updates to Rapid City’s Comprehensive Plan will be held on Thursday, September 4, from 4-6 p.m. at the Dahl Arts Center, 713 Seventh Street. This will be the final public open house before the plan is presented to the City’s Planning Commission and the Rapid City Council for approval.
The city’s comprehensive plan, titled “Plan Rapid City,” was last adopted in 2014. Since then, the population has grown to nearly 85,000 residents, a 20% increase. The city is anticipating continued growth to reach 100,000 residents by 2040.
The draft plan addresses challenges related to infrastructure, housing, transportation, public services, and parks. It includes goals, policies, and actions to provide long-term direction and inform decision-makers. The plan focuses on topics such as growth and land use, housing availability, transportation efficiency, and the economy.
Marlo Kapsa, Project Planning Manager, said the plan will be the “primary decision making tool for the next ten years.” She added that it “builds upon what is working well in our community today, and identifies opportunities for improvement in areas to increase the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”
The public is encouraged to attend the open house to review the collected data and provide feedback on the official policy document that will guide the future development of Rapid City and the Black Hills.