Sioux Falls rail yard project completes land appraisal
Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
An important step has been completed in the rail yard redevelopment project in downtown Sioux Falls, S.D.
The independent appraisal of the approximate 10 acres of land in downtown Sioux Falls has been completed and has been sent to BNSF for review. BNSF and Sioux Falls are now in early discussions about the land the city of Sioux Falls would like to purchase and that BNSF currently owns and occupies.
“The appraisal is another piece of a very large puzzle for this project,” said Public Works Director Mark Cotter. “Since 2005, when funds were set aside for this project, we have worked closely with the project stakeholders to do this project right.”
The Federal Uniform Act prohibits the appraised value of the land to be shared with the public.
The downtown rail yard occupies an area of Sioux Falls that has been identified as a central location for economic redevelopment. The purpose of the rail yard redevelopment project is to make the downtown rail yard land available for economic development by removing the rail yard, while maintaining BNSF’s railroad operations, meeting applicable railroad design criteria and safety standards and being feasible from an engineering and logistics standpoint.
Since 2001, a feasibility study has been completed, a conceptual phasing plan was developed, the project received $40 million from Congress, an Environmental Assessment was completed and now, the independent appraisal work has been done.
“The city of Sioux Falls is committed to this project and will provide updates as steps are completed and information is allowed to be shared,” said Sioux Falls mayor Mike Huether.
