2011 Sioux City Top Ten Accomplishments
Wednesday, 07 December 2011 10:52
√ Sioux City Responds to Historic Flood Event Lasting More than 98 Days
In 2011, the City of Sioux City successfully responded to a 500 year flood event on the Missouri
River. The City-wide effort was led by the Public Works Department that began with a warning
of very short notice from the Corps of Engineers in late May to expect flood stage releases from
Gavins Point Dam that continued until fall. City staff fought an unprecedented flood fight both in
magnitude and duration. Within one week of notification from the Corps, staff was able to
secure the critical infrastructure and maintained them through almost 100 days of flood stage
river flows. Staff designed, contracted and inspected emergency contracts to protect the Water
Treatment Plant and Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Staff assessed the Corps information
and produced detailed inundation maps and informed the affected business owners allowing
them to make critical protection decisions. Staff accommodated all relocated park events and
hosted both the YMCA and regular Sand Bag Jams at the Long Lines Family Recreation Center
throughout the summer. Staff maintained an outstanding level of readiness to respond to storms
and heavy rainfalls then quickly recovered the area to allow access to businesses most
impacted by the flood.
√ Record Investment of $21 Million in New Road and Bridge Infrastructure
2011 was a record setting year for infrastructure projects throughout the construction season.
Reconstruction occurred throughout the community with major projects including: Fairmount
(4th-Gordon), S. Lewis Blvd Reconstruction Project, Hamilton Blvd Resurfacing Project,
Downtown Resurfacing Project, West 19th Reconstruction Project, Villa Ave Resurfacing
Project, heights Reconstruction, and S Lewis Blvd Reconstruction. The new 23rd Street bridge
provides an east/west connection over Perry Creek in the developing commercial area on
Geneva St west of Hamilton Blvd. The 11th/Bluff Street Bridge to Grandview Blvd provides the
direct connection from Wesley Parkway to Bishop Heelan campus and a possible east/west
11th Street cross town link. The Kings Highway Bridge over Perry Creek included significant
public participation in the design and aesthetics of the structure.
√ New State-of-the-Art 60,000 Square Foot Downtown Museum
The new downtown Sioux City Public Museum opened the doors on April 23, 2011. The $12.5
million facility represents an extensive public/private partnership that began in 2005 when the
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City of Sioux City purchased the former JCPenney department store building and appropriated
$1.5 million for the project. The new Museum exhibits, archives, and administrative offices
occupy the first floor of the building (approximately 55,000 sq. feet) of floor space. Visitors can
view exhibitions which incorporate an array of state-of-the-art technology and hands-on
interactives. Expanded classroom space has also opened up new educational opportunities and
has allowed the Museum to be a community meeting space. Since opening in April, more than
50,000 visitors have experienced the dynamic new Museum!
√ National Recognitions Including Forbes Best Places to do Business
• Forbes ranked Sioux City in the top 15 Best Places for Business and Careers in 2011
• MSN.com ranked Sioux #2 Most Affordable Place to live in 2011
• US News & World Report place Sioux City in the Most Affordable Housing Markets in 2011
• Sioux City ranked #1 in the Top 5 Metro Food Processing Industry Growth
• Sioux City was ranked in the top 10 for Emerging Logistics/Distribution Growth Potential in an
area with less than 200,000 residents
• Sioux City maintained AA bond rating by Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investment Service
• Coldwell Banker ranked Sioux City #3 for most affordable housing in the nation
√ Creation of 120 New Jobs in Diverse Employment Fields
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Despite the economic recession, Sioux City enjoyed good economic news on several fronts.
Titan Machinery, Lift Solutions, CNOS Medical Clinic, Jolly Time Popcorn, Innovative Benefit
Consultants, 4th & Jackson, Sioux City Delta Reservations Center all announced plans in 2011
to expand their workforces with several also expanding their facilities.
√ Reduction of Commercial & Residential Taxes for Third Consecutive Year
Sioux City's property tax rate has declined in the past three years. As a result of economic
investment, new efficiency measures, and an emphasis on cost effective provision of services,
the City Council approved a FY2012 budget which lowered the City's portion of the tax rate by
$.64 per $1,000 of valuation or 3.7%. During the past two fiscal year, the total reduction in
property taxes rates collected by the City are $2.05 per $1,000 of valuation or nearly 11%.
√ Historic Transition and Job Creation for Former Morrell Site Now Known as The Yards I-29
Business Park
The City Council took historic action in March 2011 voting to approve and accept the deeds for
the John Morrell site. A $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant was
awarded to tear down the former Morrell plant, relocate utilities and build a new access road. A
RISE grant for $665,000 will fund 50% of the new access road to serve sites in the I-29
Business Park and a grant from the IDOT's Rail Revolving Loan & Grant Program for $72,000
will assist with a rail spur. Long time Sioux City employer, Global Foods Processing, Inc.,
announced plans to expand their value added food processing business to the John Morrell &
Co. site due to an increased demand in worldwide pork exports. The project will bring a $10
million investment with a new 82,000 sq. feet facility and nearly 200 new jobs to the Yards I-29
Business Park. The Cunningham Drive reconstruction was a $1.5 million project including a
road widening, reconstruction, and utilities upgrades supporting future growth with 50% paid by
a RISE grant.
√ New 14,643 Square Foot Fire Station 4
The new Fire Station 4 replaces the existing fifty year old fire station on the adjacent site at
Hamilton Blvd and Stone Park Blvd that serves the north and west sides of Sioux City along
with areas of near-north side and downtown. Based on location and response studies, the Fire
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Department purchased the land that formerly housed a nursing home and demolished it for
future development of the station. It is a two story structure and includes drive through bays for
fire apparatus. This new station will house engine four, tanker four, and the regional HAZMAT
Team that protects 13 area counties with one, three or four person crews. Improvements
include the ability to store all regional HAZMAT equipment in one location, a HAZMAT lab
increases firefighter safety, offices for HAZMAT and station officers, and training and
conference rooms along with living quarters for the crew. This winter the station 4 crew will
occupy the new station and the old station will be demolished with project completion scheduled
for spring 2012.
√ Completion of New Wastewater Treatment Plant and Operation Savings
of $1 Million Annually
The City Council terminated the City's contract with the former operator of the Waste Water
Treatment Plant and transferred operations to the City of Sioux City on January 3, 2011. The
transition from contract operation to City operation has been extremely successful producing
excellent quality water and meeting compliance throughout the entire period of operation. As a
result of the transition, the Utilities Department is anticipating a savings of $1 million annually,
including the 2012 budget year.
√ Historic Pearl Street & West End Redevelopment Including Eight New Businesses
In 2005 Sioux City's Comprehensive Plan specifically recommended that a cultural and
entertainment district be created on the west side of downtown. Therefore, in 2006, City staff
began meeting with property owners and other interested parties to gain direction for the plan.
In early 2008, the plan, entitled "West End District Plan" was adopted. The name "West End"
was later changed by property owners to the "Historic Pearl District". The District is roughly
bound by 7th Street to the north, Pearl and Douglas Streets to the east, Perry Creek to the
west, and the railroad right-of-way to the south. This location serves as a western gateway into
Sioux City's downtown and incorporates about 60 acres and over 70 parcels. The Historic Pearl
District Facade Program was developed to improve the aesthetic appearance of the exterior
façades of existing buildings and businesses in the Historic Pearl District, to restore the unique
historic character of buildings and to encourage private investment in Historic Pearl District
properties and businesses. New utilities, new paving, new sidewalks, new light poles, new
trees, and colored and stamped concrete features have all contributed to the success of the
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District. The public and private investment into the District has resulted in 8 new businesses
locating in the District since the adoption of the Historic Pearl District Plan. This success is only
the beginning of the Historic Pearl District redevelopment and we anticipate future success
stories in the District as the public and private investments continue.
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