RESILIENT RESPONSE TOURISM REIMAGINED INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY SUMMER 2021 3 LIGHTER, BRIGHTER DOWNTOWN TOURNEY TOWN Downtown Sioux City is lightening up. From youth sports to college-level athletes, Sioux WorkingWorking with Downtown Partners, the City of Sioux City first placed City is teaming with tournament opportunities. festoon lighting at Fourth and Court Streets and then—with support “For“For years, local families have traveled great from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino—at Fourth and Pearl Streets. distances to participate in youth sports,” states Next, colored LED lights will be added beneath the three skywalks Matt Salvatore, Sioux City parks & recreation between Pearl and Historic Fourth Streets. Ultimately, the vision is director. “Now the Siouxland Expo Center and to create a pedestrian walking corridor between downtown’s two other locations in Siouxland can bring new and most popular entertainment districts, explains Downtown Partners even larger youth sports programs into our town. Executive Director Ragen Cote. It’s also a major goal to develop Not only does this benefit local families, but it also lighted pathways that connect pedestrians with the riverfront. “This stimulates the local economy.” lighting effort isn’t something we’ve done on a whim,” she says. In its firstfirst sixsix months,months, thethe ExpoExpo CenterCenter hostedhosted “There is a plan and a purpose, and I think that’s important for four 18-team softball/baseball tournaments and a people to see.” 140-team volleyball tournament. Added lightinglighting should encourage more foot traffic along pedestrian DustinDustin Cooper, executive director of the Arena corridors, turning drivers into pedestrians. “That’s key,” notes Cote, Sports Academy, relays similar success. In 2021‘s “because at the end of the day, we need to start planning for people and not cars.” first five months, the Arena held four basketball Here’sHere’s why: Downtown Sioux City’s residential housing has skyrocketed, increasing 163 percent in the last five years. tournaments, six volleyball tournaments, three “People are looking for that urban environment,” explains Cote. “It’s imperative that we provide the amenities to create a wrestling events, and two dance events. Cooper downtown environment that’s walkable and bikeable—and lighting is clearly the next step.” says summer camp participation is trending 10 to 20 percent higher than last summer. AIRPORT EXPANSIONS “We“We have used our geographical location—along with how Sioux City has had exciting projects come Sioux Gateway Airport has expanded flight options thanks to to fruition in the last year or two—to attract teams SkyWest Airlines, a regional carrier for United Airlines/United and events to town,” notes Cooper. “Sioux City is Express, which now offers twice-daily connections to Chicago awesome, it really is, and our objective is to not along with regular service to Denver. only get people to Sioux City once, but to get them “SkyWest“SkyWest has been a great partner and fills the space coming back for other events in the future.” left by American Airlines’ exit earlier this year,” states Dave We’veWe’ve seen it happen in the city’s relationship Bernstein, Sioux Gateway Board of Trustees president. with the National Association of Intercollegiate “Sioux GatewayGateway Airport is a major asset for the community,” Athletics (NAIA). Sioux City began hosting the NAIA says Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott. “It’s a vital resource for women’s national basketball tournament in 1998 bringing people into our city, creating business connections, and added the NAIA women’s volleyball national and supporting economic growth.” championships in 2008. ToTo that end, the City of Sioux City recently received a “Year“Year after year, Sioux City has provided a great federal grant that will help grow the airport by supporting venue in the Tyson Events Center, loyal volunteers construction of a new aviation facility. who come back year after year, and strong A $1 million grantgrant from the Economic Development financial support from area sponsors,” shares NAIA Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Co-Tournament Director Corey Westra. “Sioux City will help create a $7 million aviation center on city-owned is the perfect size to host these events. And as the DID YOU land at Sioux Gateway Airport/Brigadier General Bud Day city has grown and progressed, our hotels have Field. Spanning 39,400 sq. ft., the center will feature a flight gotten so much better, and new amenities help KNOW? school, two hangars, and extensive office space. Construction showcase the community.” is anticipated to begin this year. MatthewMatthew Robinson, general manager of Also expectedexpected to create 42 skilled jobs, the center will boost Courtyard by Marriott on Historic Fourth, agrees. Sioux Gateway Airport boasts a airport operations, add hangar space, support the 185th “The more people who come down [to the 9,000-foot runway, the second Air National Guard, and broaden the employment base. tournaments], stay at our hotel, and then visit the longest in Iowa! “This“This is an exciting project for Sioux City as we anticipate local businesses, the more it generates revenue an increase in aircraft activity with the new flight school at and publicity. It’s an overall win-win for the city.” Sioux Gateway Airport,” adds Scott. 2 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SIOUX CITY LOG ON TO: WWW.SIOUX-CITY.ORG OR CALL 279.6102 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SIOUX CITY LOG ON TO: WWW.SIOUX-CITY.ORG OR CALL 279.6102 3 HOUSEHOLD INCENTIVES BUILDING Sioux City residents, there can be big financial incentives if you improve the safety and value of your home. Read on… SMALLER HOMES HOME IMPROVEMENTS OR The City of Sioux City has worked with Kelly Construction, HOME CONSTRUCTION Inc. to provide new affordable housing options for local homebuyers. Three single-family homes were recently You can join hundreds of Sioux City homeowners completed on a city-owned infill lot at 2011 Center St. and reduce your property taxes when you make Funded byby the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban improvements to your home (a new kitchen, garage Development HOME Investment Partnership Program, this addition, significant remodel, etc.) that increase its project is the first of its kind in Sioux City. assessed value by at least 5-10 percent. “We“We believe there is a market need for a number of smaller YouYou are also eligible for a property tax break if you homes,” explains Amy Keairns, neighborhood services project construct a new home anywhere within the City of HOUSING TRENDS coordinator. “These new Center Street homes have two main Sioux City’s city limits. floor bedrooms with the possibility of a buyer adding another ForFor information on the city’s Residential Tax Sioux City’s housing market is at an all-time bedroom in the lower level. Yards are small, which involves Abatement program, call 712-279-6340. high. In year-to-year comparisons, city leaders less yard work, and there is a shared garage with one stall for had noted a mostly upward trend for the past each home.” REMOVAL OF LEAD HAZARDS five years. Numbers spiked in 2020, with a total Adds MayorMayor Pro Tem Dan Moore: “There is demand for more of 521 units built or under construction—well quality, affordable housing. The Center Street project is one Working through the City of Sioux City, you can apply over the previous high of 363 units in 2019. way we are trying help with that.” for funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Along with housing growthgrowth in Whispering Homes will be sold toto buyers who are low to moderate Urban Development that will remove lead and other Creek and other neighborhoods, the city has income and qualify for a mortgage loan through a local lender. health hazards and could also provide new paint, seen a large influx of multi-family dwellings. For details, contact Keairns at 712-279-6255. windows, doors, siding, and more. You’re eligible if: In fact, of the 521 units built in 2020, nearly 400 were duplexes, condominiums, and 1. You own or live in a home or apartment built apartments. beforebefore 1978. DowntownDowntown Sioux City has contributed to 2. YouYou have at least one child (age 5 or younger) in growth as well, with ever-increasing options the dwellingdwelling at least 10 hours weekly. for luxury lofts and market-rate apartments. 3. YouYou have a household income at or below 80 LowLow interest rates contribute to growth, percentpercent of the area median income. For example, acknowledges Economic & Community maximum household income for a family of four Development Director Marty Dougherty, but is $58,650. there are other considerations. “The City of Sioux City is making a conscious effort to Not suresure how to apply? “There is help every step of $ INVESTED IN SIOUX CITY HOMES support housing growth and offers a city- the way, and the time you spend can yield thousands wide tax abatement program,” he says. of dollars in home improvements,” notes Matt Meylor, “We’re economically strong, and we have low neighborhood services project coordinator. “Most $50M unemployment—almost as low as before the importantly, you’ll ensure lead-safe living conditions pandemic began—so demand for housing is for young children who visit or live there.” $40M on the rise, and it’s being met with a variety of This grantgrant can also address lead hazards in a $30M housing options throughout the city.” residence that a child 5 years old or younger visits Dougherty predictspredicts Whispering Creek will regularly, such as grandparents, extended family, or $20M see continued growth, the new Residences at care providers. $10M Elk Creek development will extend the city ForFor information, contact Meylor at 712-224-4984.