City council approves demolition of 4 'dilapidated' Sioux Falls homes in historic district

The Sioux Falls City Council voted Wednesday evening to demolish four homes in the city's Sherman Historic District, making room for an apartment building to be constructed by Tre Ministries, a nonprofit focused on young adult ministry.

The request was approved by the city's Board of Historic Preservation, but opposed by the South Dakota State Historical Society, meaning the council had to make the final call.

Photos included in the presentation to council members showed significant damage to the inside and outside of the homes, including graffiti, water damage, structural damage and in one case a room filled with dozens and dozens of books piled on the floor.

The homes, three of which are on South Dakota Avenue and a fourth on West 19th Street, have been vacant for more than six years, and the owners have been fined $20,000 for not properly maintaining the properties.

A cost estimate included in the presentation states it would require $2,209,630.69 to rehabilitate the four houses.

A letter from the state historical society said upon viewing the proposal, removal of the structures would "adversely effect" the district.

Neither the council nor any members of the public had any comments on the item, and it passed by an 8-0 vote.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: City council approves demolition of 4 'dilapidated' Sioux Falls homes in historic district