Construction of the first new building in the Uptown at Falls Park project area is scheduled to begin in the spring.
In the meantime, renovation and occupancy of two restored brick buildings in the Uptown area continues. Two businesses have moved into one of the renovated buildings, and the other building will be ready for tenants within a few months.
"In March, you'll see groundbreaking and the start of The Arches buildings," said Jennifer Fleming, spokeswoman for a consortium of developers and businesses working on the project.
The Arches, a centerpiece of the initial phase of the project, will be two seven-story residential and commercial buildings that straddle a private street that connects Phillips and Main avenues.
Plans call for the south and north Arches buildings to be linked by a multi-floor archway over the street, called Fourth Street Plaza.
Part of the plaza already has been built. A partial street currently separates the two existing brick buildings along North Main.
Developers are in the process of buying land from the city for The Arches complex, which will face Phillips Avenue.
Initially, developers had hoped to begin construction on The Arches last fall. But in the development business, start dates are moving targets, Fleming said. She works for Sioux Falls Property Management & Sales, one of the companies involved in the Uptown project.
"We feel good about the March timeline. It works good with the overall plan at the rate at which things are going," she said.
Other companies involved in the redevelopment include Lloyd Cos., Koch Hazard Architects and Cirrus Commercial Realty Services.
Mike Cooper, the city's director of planning and building services, said officials look forward to the start of work on The Arches.
"I think there's a lot of excitement to see this project get under way," Cooper said. "Now that Cherapa Place is done, I think people are looking forward to what the next exciting project will be for downtown development."
Uptown developers will acquire three parcels of land from the city to help develop an area extending between Second and Fifth streets. A few existing buildings in the project area might become part of the redevelopment in the future.
The developers have an agreement with the city to acquire the three parcels of open land, totaling 4.75 acres, during the next few years for a total price of $2.58 million.
The first parcel, which is roughly 1.5 acres, will cost more than $1 million and help accommodate the first phase of development, including The Arches. Half the payment for the first parcel will be due upon closing of the sale in coming weeks, and the other half will be due in the spring of 2009.
"I think they're very eager to get going because they're already working on phase two," said Erica Beck, senior planner with the city.
Full development of the area will be pursued in multiple phases over several years. The land must all be purchased by the end of 2012.
Demand for residential and commercial space will dictate the pace of development, Fleming said. She envisions businesses such as a hotel, restaurants, stores and offices in addition to residential units.
The economics of the project defined the number of floors and residential units that The Arches will include. The complex will contain 60,000 square feet of office and residential space, and 88 residential units.
The renovated Tri-State Creamery Building, formerly known as the Anderstein Building, is about half leased. The first tenant was The Artist Playhouse, a consignment store that opened in late August.
"I love it. It's been a challenge. But I don't think there's any startup business that isn't a challenge," said Valeri Kallas, manager and co-owner of the art store.
"I think this is definitely the place to be in the future. I love their plans," she said.
Brian Clark & Associates, a landscape architecture, planning and urban-design firm, moved in Jan. 2.
"We're excited to be here," said Jon Jacobson, principal at Brian Clark.
A showroom for the Uptown project also is scheduled to open in the Tri-State Creamery Building. Renovation of the two-story building essentially is finished.
Work on the neighboring, three-story building to the north, now known as Larson Square, is under way. The first floor will be commercial space, and the upper floors will contain 20 loft apartments.
"They will be ready this spring," Fleming said.
Negotiations are under way with a prospective commercial tenant that might occupy the entire first floor, she said.
In the meantime, renovation and occupancy of two restored brick buildings in the Uptown area continues. Two businesses have moved into one of the renovated buildings, and the other building will be ready for tenants within a few months.
"In March, you'll see groundbreaking and the start of The Arches buildings," said Jennifer Fleming, spokeswoman for a consortium of developers and businesses working on the project.
The Arches, a centerpiece of the initial phase of the project, will be two seven-story residential and commercial buildings that straddle a private street that connects Phillips and Main avenues.
Plans call for the south and north Arches buildings to be linked by a multi-floor archway over the street, called Fourth Street Plaza.
Part of the plaza already has been built. A partial street currently separates the two existing brick buildings along North Main.
Developers are in the process of buying land from the city for The Arches complex, which will face Phillips Avenue.
Initially, developers had hoped to begin construction on The Arches last fall. But in the development business, start dates are moving targets, Fleming said. She works for Sioux Falls Property Management & Sales, one of the companies involved in the Uptown project.
"We feel good about the March timeline. It works good with the overall plan at the rate at which things are going," she said.
Other companies involved in the redevelopment include Lloyd Cos., Koch Hazard Architects and Cirrus Commercial Realty Services.
Mike Cooper, the city's director of planning and building services, said officials look forward to the start of work on The Arches.
"I think there's a lot of excitement to see this project get under way," Cooper said. "Now that Cherapa Place is done, I think people are looking forward to what the next exciting project will be for downtown development."
Uptown developers will acquire three parcels of land from the city to help develop an area extending between Second and Fifth streets. A few existing buildings in the project area might become part of the redevelopment in the future.
The developers have an agreement with the city to acquire the three parcels of open land, totaling 4.75 acres, during the next few years for a total price of $2.58 million.
The first parcel, which is roughly 1.5 acres, will cost more than $1 million and help accommodate the first phase of development, including The Arches. Half the payment for the first parcel will be due upon closing of the sale in coming weeks, and the other half will be due in the spring of 2009.
"I think they're very eager to get going because they're already working on phase two," said Erica Beck, senior planner with the city.
Full development of the area will be pursued in multiple phases over several years. The land must all be purchased by the end of 2012.
Demand for residential and commercial space will dictate the pace of development, Fleming said. She envisions businesses such as a hotel, restaurants, stores and offices in addition to residential units.
The economics of the project defined the number of floors and residential units that The Arches will include. The complex will contain 60,000 square feet of office and residential space, and 88 residential units.
The renovated Tri-State Creamery Building, formerly known as the Anderstein Building, is about half leased. The first tenant was The Artist Playhouse, a consignment store that opened in late August.
"I love it. It's been a challenge. But I don't think there's any startup business that isn't a challenge," said Valeri Kallas, manager and co-owner of the art store.
"I think this is definitely the place to be in the future. I love their plans," she said.
Brian Clark & Associates, a landscape architecture, planning and urban-design firm, moved in Jan. 2.
"We're excited to be here," said Jon Jacobson, principal at Brian Clark.
A showroom for the Uptown project also is scheduled to open in the Tri-State Creamery Building. Renovation of the two-story building essentially is finished.
Work on the neighboring, three-story building to the north, now known as Larson Square, is under way. The first floor will be commercial space, and the upper floors will contain 20 loft apartments.
"They will be ready this spring," Fleming said.
Negotiations are under way with a prospective commercial tenant that might occupy the entire first floor, she said.
