For generations, cities and towns have grown around vibrant and bustling downtowns that served as the center of commerce and business. Downtown was where people went for shopping, banking, medical care, and professional services. As communities grew, smaller neighborhoods and main streets emerged in different parts of town to offer some of these same conveniences closer to where people lived.
In Sioux City, our downtown area has undergone an evolution. What was once the epicenter of all transactions and services has transitioned into a hub for quality-of-life amenities, including the Public Museum, Art Center, and numerous local restaurants and entertainment options. Meanwhile, most retail shopping has shifted to malls and shopping districts, such as Lakeport Commons.
In recent years, we have improved our ability to track the number of visitors coming to our area, which helps justify investments. However, we need to do more. Over the past 12 months, more than 430,000 people have visited the Tyson Event Center, and an additional 180,000 have attended events at the Sioux City Convention Center. While it’s more challenging to track the exact number of visitors to the Orpheum Theater due to its use as a community space and hosting touring performances, we estimate that more than 150,000 people have visited the venue in the past year. These numbers don’t even include the many families visiting for youth sports tournaments at the Siouxland Sports Academy and tubing and mountain biking at Cone Park, concert-goers and guests at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, those coming downtown for work trips staying at hotels in our downtown, or those coming here to enjoy Historic 4th Street to enjoy the great restaurant options available. Every visitor spends money on meals, lodging, and entertainment, which generates local sales tax, hotel/motel tax, and supports local jobs and businesses.
A portion of those dollars flow directly into the City budgets, allowing us to reinvest in neighborhoods, infrastructure, and services. Therefore, the more visitors, events, and businesses we have in our downtown area, the more money we have to invest in improving neighborhoods, streets, and other areas.
If we can agree that downtown remains key to a city’s identity and economic vitality, and if we believe the visitor numbers are even remotely close, I would contend that the City of Sioux City and partners like the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, Explore Siouxland, and Downtown Partners must coordinate a concentrated effort to beautify and improve the infrastructure of our downtown. When out-of-town visitors come for a tournament, concert, or conference, we have one opportunity to make a lasting impression. You never know who might consider relocating here, open or expand a business, or continue to visit and tell others about their positive experience.
That’s why we must continue – and in my opinion, increase – our investment in sidewalks, crosswalks, green spaces, trees, storefronts, landscaping, parking garages, wayfinding, lighting, and public safety. The list goes on. However, it’s essential to recognize that expecting to match those same investment levels across all neighborhoods, as we are across the 56 square blocks that make up our expansive downtown district, will slow growth and development. That’s not to say we haven’t invested in our neighborhoods, because we certainly have. The Pierce Street corridor, West 7th Street, and the Riverside area have all seen significant and transformative improvements during the past decade. These projects have made a real difference, but I believe that by concentrating resources strategically in our downtown, we can create even more momentum that ultimately lifts our entire city. Let’s continue moving forward, starting with downtown.
By Alex Watters
