RAPID CITY, SD – Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun, along with officials from Pete Lien & Sons, Black Hills Energy, and the Rapid City Sports Commission, announced Monday afternoon a 22.78-acre land donation to the city of Rapid City that will be designated as the future home of the Rapid City Sports Complex.
“The proposed sports complex has the potential to be a game-changer for the Rapid City region,” said Mayor Salamun. “A vision you can accomplish alone isn’t much of a vision. This announcement has been a long time coming and is a testament to the spirit of collaboration in our community. We’re grateful for the Rapid City Sports Commission, city staff and Council, and community partners who will be a big part of making this happen. While there’s still much work to do, we’re thrilled to share our intentions to go all-in on bringing this vision to life.”
As for project funding, “Mayor Salamun will ask the Rapid City Common Council to dedicate $5 million in unused Vision Fund resources towards a state-of-the-art, multi-faceted sports complex.”
“City officials will pursue a five-mile TIF boundary corridor area. The proposed corridor would extend from the proposed Black Hills Energy power generation plant at Exit 55 east to the proposed sports complex and other residential and commercial development near Exit 59 and south to the Rapid City downtown area.”
City of Rapid City Full Press Release
CITY & BUSINESS OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE LAND DONATION FOR SPORTS COMPLEX AND DEVELOPMENT
**Mayor to seek Council support for $5 Million in Vision Funds to support Sports Complex; Creation of TIF District would support BH Energy, Sports Complex, development projects
Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun was joined Monday by officials with Pete Lien & Sons, the Rapid City Sports Commission and Black Hills Energy for a multi-project announcement the officials say will have major impacts on Rapid City’s future.
Mayor Salamun is terming the collaborative effort ‘Project Catalyst’ with the potential of “dramatically enhancing and improving” the economy and quality of life for residents of South Dakota’s second-largest city for generations.
The officials gathered along a pullout at the intersection of Seger Drive and 143rd Avenue, overlooking 22.78 acres of land being donated to the City by Pete Lien & Sons, Inc, The land donation was one of several major announcements profiled at the afternoon presser.
Officials also announced a large section of the donated land will be designated as the future home of the Rapid City Sports Complex. In addition, Mayor Salamun indicated he would seek approval from the Rapid City Common Council to dedicate unused Vision Fund resources to support the complex.
“The proposed sports complex has the potential to be a game-changer for the Rapid City region,” said Mayor Salamun. “A vision you can accomplish alone isn’t much of a vision. This announcement has been a long time coming and is a testament to the spirit of collaboration in our community. We’re grateful for the Rapid City Sports Commission, city staff and Council, and community partners who will be a big part of making this happen. While there’s still much work to do, we’re thrilled to share our intentions to go all-in on bringing this vision to life.”
Domico Rodriguez, executive director at the Rapid City Sports Commission, says Monday’s announcement represents an important milestone for the proposed indoor sports facility.
“This project will be transformative for our community, this will make us competitive in the region in the youth sports market. We are thankful for the support of the project, and we know we aren’t finished but this is a major milestone for the completion of this project.”
Monday’s announcement also included details about the new Black Hills Energy power generation plant. Mayor Salamun indicated city officials will work to create a tax increment financing district corridor to assist in the financing of the various projects and expected commercial and residential development along a five-mile stretch near Interstate 90 and extending towards downtown Rapid City.
Today’s announcement included the following:
LAND DONATION: Donation of 22.78 acres of land to the City of Rapid City by Pete Lien & Sons for development of a much-anticipated indoor sports complex.
“Our family-owned business of over 80 years is excited to provide this donation of land, which will help Rapid City and western South Dakota grow with a great facility, opportunities to host more activities and to draw more kids and their families to the area,” said Pete Lien, owner of Pete Lien & Sons, Inc.
VISION FUNDS/SPORTS COMPLEX: Mayor Salamun announced he will ask the Rapid City Common Council to dedicate $5 million in unused Vision Fund resources towards a state-of-the-art, multi-faceted sports complex.
BLACK HILLS ENERGY FACILITY: Black Hills Energy officials provided additional details on construction of a 99-megawatt, $280 million natural gas power generation plant to be constructed on Deadwood Avenue near Exit 55 on Interstate 90. This investment is being used to develop the catalyst district used to help finance the sports complex.
“Black Hills Energy is proud to partner with the City of Rapid City to support the continued growth and vibrancy of our community and region,” said Wes Ashton, Vice President of South Dakota and Wyoming Utilities.
TAX INCREMENT FINANCING CORRIDOR: City officials announced they will pursue creation of a tax increment financing district, entitled the Rapid City Catalyst District, to finance the various projects and development in the approximately five-mile TIF boundary corridor area. The proposed corridor would extend from the proposed Black Hills Energy power generation plant at Exit 55 east to the proposed sports complex and other residential and commercial development near Exit 59 and south to the Rapid City downtown area.
Mayor Salamun said he will approach the Common Council in the next couple of weeks to dedicate more than $5 million to the sports complex. In addition, a proposal regarding the creation of the tax increment financing district will be considered by the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission this Thursday.
