June 12, 2013
Rapid City's Sixth Street Crosswalk May Be Redesigned

Sixth Street promenade and Memorial Park crosswalk redesign recommended.

Pedestrian safety or beauty?  Rapid City's Sixth Street crosswalk is being recommended for a redesign.  Currently there is one crosswalk across Omaha Street on the west side of Sixth Street  The new design would be V-shaped from both sides of Sixth Street that would merge at the entrance of the Sixth Street promenade.

June 11, 2013
Train Whistle Warnings Under Scrutiny in Rapid City

Rapid City citizens have complained about train noise.

Rapid City Ward 2 Councilman, Ritchie Nordstrom has been contacted by citizens who are unhappy about train noise.  He is developing a plan that would involve private investors or look at the  vision fund.  Full article available at KOTATV.

Follow more community planning and vision fund  in the archives.

June 10, 2013
Rapid City Group Promoting Urban Chickens Hopes to Reverse Council Decision

'Rapid City Hens' Group will bring message or urban chickens to 2013 West Boulevard Festival.

A resident new to the Rapid City area is disappointed to learn that raising chickens in the backyard is in violation of city policy.  Brita Craven and the Rapid City Hens group is hoping the Council will revisit the issue.  The Hens will begin by educating the public and better-educating the city council.  Read the full article in the Rapid City Journal and find

June 10, 2013
Rapid City Students Plant Garden to Donate Produce

Students and volunteers plant garden in North Rapid City location.

Rapid City students and volunteers planted a  garden at General Beadle Elementary school in North Rapid.  Plans are to taste the veggies then donate the produce to needy families. 

Read more about the student's garden and find locations of public flower gardens.

June 9, 2013
Rapid City Mayor Has the Answers

Sam Kooiker, newly re-elected Mayor of Rapid City, sat down for an interview with the Rapid City Journal.

Sam Kooiker, newly re-elected Mayor of Rapid City, sat down for an interview with the Rapid City Journal. Questions included what Kooiker would do to improve the infrastructure, use of the Vision Fund, and how to manage the Civic Center renovation and expansion.

June 5, 2013
Custer County Commission Says No to GF&P Land Purchase

State seeks letter of support, gets formal vote of opposition instead.

State of South Dakota officials sought a letter of support for a proposed purchase of 40 acres of privately owned land, the Custer County Chronicle reports.

Commissioner and former state lawmaker Jim Lintz spoke against the deal saying Gov. Dennis Daugaard campaigned on a pledge to slow purchases of private land.

June 5, 2013
Memory Walk on Flood Anniversary

The 2 mile Memory Walk will take place Sunday, June 9th in commemoration of the 1972 Flood in Rapid City.

This Sunday will be the second Memory Walk to commemorate the 1972 flood. The walk begins at Sioux Park and ends at Mountain View Road. This year, the walk will include a demonstration of smart phone technology: QR codes that link to web-based information. The Rapid City Public Libraries are developing the material and links to the flood archive.

June 3, 2013
Library Commemorates 1972 Flood Anniversary

In observance of the 41st anniversary of the Rapid City Flood of 1972 on June 9th, a collection of photographs will be on display at the downtown library.

Throughout this past year, the Libraries’ team of staff, interns, and volunteers has worked diligently to digitize photos, newspaper articles, film, radio and news broadcasts and as a result, have assembled the most comprehensive source of information regarding the 1972 Flood.

May 30, 2013
Low-cost, Affordable Housing Remains Concern for Rapid City

Rapid City has received HUD funding for more than 35 years.

Affordable housing has been a prominent issue in Rapid City for more than 35 years.  There is a need for smaller, more affordable homes and apartments.  However, according to the Black Hills Home Builders Association, the home-building market is trending toward more expensive homes.

May 29, 2013
Rapid City's Senior Needs Analysis Report and Presentation

The University of South Dakota used phone surveys and focus groups to identify what would draw residents 50 and older to Rapid City. See the Power Point presentation and the full report.

An analysis of the services provided to senior citizens and residents age 50 and up in Rapid City shows a need for improved transportation, affordable single-level housing and better neighborhood shopping opportunities as areas in need of improvement.

The University of South Dakota conducted the study, using telephone surveys and focus groups, and presented the findings to the city council. Both the Power Point presentation and the full report are attached to this post.

Research participants identified three areas as exceeding the need for seniors in the community:

May 16, 2013
Piedmont Street Work Bids Due

The city of Piedmont is looking forward to getting streets fixed.

Meade County Commissioners will accept bids for the Piedmont Street Project on Monday May 30th at 10am as stated in the minutes of the May 7th meeting. Piedmont has agreed to pay a portion of the cost according to the May Board of Trustees unapproved minutes.

May 14, 2013
Video - James LaRue at Spring Workshop in Rapid City

Director of Douglas County Colorado Library System speaks on change in librarianship.

James LaRue, Director of Douglas County Library System in Colorado, presented at the 2013 spring workshop for the Black Hills Knowledge Network.  He spoke on the changing nature of the work of librarianship and how to embed libraries into a community. 

View LaRue's informative and inspirational presentation in the video record below.

 

May 9, 2013
Rapid City Short on Senior Services

A survey conducted by the University of South Dakota reveals that seniors believe Rapid City could do better when it comes to senior services.

 

Rapid City's senior citizens report trouble getting medical care, finding transportation and housing and recreation opportunities in a recent survey conducted by the University of South Dakota.

This Rapid City Journal article quotes Sandy Diegel of the John T. Vucurevich Foundation saying there is a need for centralized information that seniors can access.

May 2, 2013
Piedmont Water Project Update And Information

View the latest update on the Piedmont water project as well as other information about water services in Piedmont.

Jeff Hines, city engineer gives an update on the Piedmont water project. Board of Trustees Chairman, Phil Anderson shares information about the water system. There is also information available on what you must do to get your water hooked up.

May 2, 2013
Rapid City Sewer Bill Rates Questioned

Council member Charity Doyle believes some residents are being overchaged for sewer services.

At the Rapid City Legal & Finance May 1 meeting, Council member Charity Doyle questioned the city's method of determining sewer rates.  Currently, residents who do not use any water in the first three months of the year are charged a default 7-unit rate, which is among the highest rates charged to residential sewer usage.  The full story may be read in the Rapid City Journal and a collection of

April 28, 2013
Rapid City Owned Golf Course Getting a Facelift

Meadowbrook Golf Course will get facelift this summer.

Rapid City's west side municipal golf course will undergo significant changes and improvements this summer.  Read the list of upcoming changes in the Rapid City Journal and follow Meadowbrook Golf Course items in the archives. 

Visit the Meadowbrook Golf Course homepage.

April 26, 2013
More Lighting To Come Downtown in 2016

The Rapid City Business Improvement District has decided to install more lights on Main and St. Joseph streets.

The Rapid City Business Improvement District has decided to install more lights on Main and St. Joseph streets.  The increased lighting is intended to make the area safer and encourage more foot traffic downtown. The project is currently planned to have funding in combination from 2015 Vision funds as well as BID assessments that are paid by downtown business owners.

April 26, 2013
Soccer Rapid City To Begin Construction This Fall

Soccer Rapid City is looking to begin the construction of a new soccer complex this fall. Plans are to begin with just 12 fields, with the possibility to expand in the future. 

Soccer Rapid City is planning to break ground this fall on a soccer complex with 12 fields this fall. Once additional money is allocated the complex will build additional fields.

April 23, 2013
Rapid City Residential building permits on the rise

Rapid City is on track to surpass last year in residential building permits.

Rapid City is on track to surpass last year in residential building permits.  During the 1st quarter of 2013 there were residential building permits issued for 333 units, while last year there were only 405 units issued for the entire year.  This is a trend that Rapid City has seen over the past few years according to the Rapid City Progress Report which shows the number of permits issued since 2010.  More information can be found at the <

April 17, 2013
Offensive Geographical Names to be Replaced in Black Hills

The geographical "Negro" names are on their way out in South Dakota.

Five Black Hills geographic features with offensive names will be renamed by the state.  The South Dakota Board on Geographic Names will accept new name suggestions online or by mail.  Read the full article in the Rapid City Journal and

April 16, 2013
Piedmont Library Holding Property Defensibility Class

Are you concerned about the possibility of wildfires this summer? Do you know alternative ways to collect and conserve water? Have your heard of organic mulching?

The Piedmont Valley Library is hosting a Property Defensibility Class Saturday, April 27, from 9 to Noon presented by Keena Michelle. Topics covered will include: Fire Defensible Space, Alternative Water Collection and Conservation, Organic and Native Mulching, and Design for Use and Functionality. There is no fee--the class is free! We would appreciate an RSVP. 718-3663 or www.piedmontlibrary.net.

April 1, 2013
Annexation Decision of Exit 17 Postponed

Concerns over tax revenue put decision of 160 acres at Exit 17 on hold.

At a Spearfish City Council meeting, the decision has been made to put off the annexation process of the proposed 160 acres at Exit 17, according to the Black Hills Pioneer. Concerns have been raised over the amount of time that it would take for the development to generate the property tax revenue to cover the costs of city services.

March 26, 2013
400 Rapid City Homeowners To Be Affected by New Flood Plain Maps

Updated flood plain maps more accurately record threatened properties.

Rapid City Public Works City Engineer Dale Tech reports that updated FEMA maps more accurately record what properties are threatened by flooding and what properties are not.  The Public Works Committee will consider adopting the maps which will have an impact on federal flood insurance costs.  Read the full artic

March 22, 2013
Rapid City Sees Dramatic Increase in Building Permits

The city's government has already issued $54 million dollars in building permits this year.

The city's government has already issued $54 million in building permits this year.

March 22, 2013
Rapid City Sees Dramatic Increase in Building Permits

The city's government has already issued $54 million dollars in building permits this year.

The city's government has already issued $54 million in building permits this year.

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