Pe igrew Heiqh

2009 NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

 

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—PETTIGREW HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD REDEVELOPMENT
PLAN ............................................................................................................................................ 1 
BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................ 2 
PURPOSE ....................................................................................................................................... 2 
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 4 
VISION STATEMENT ........................................................................................................................ 6 
GOALS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD ......................................................................................... 7 
NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITY .............................................................................................................. 7 
LAND USE ...................................................................................................................................... 9 
PARKS AND RECREATION ............................................................................................................. 11 
TRANSPORTATION ........................................................................................................................ 13 
SAFETY ........................................................................................................................................ 14 
HOUSING ...................................................................................................................................... 16 
REDEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................................... 18 
DEVELOPMENT GOALS ................................................................................................................. 18 
DESIGN GUIDELINES ..................................................................................................................... 19 
REDEVELOPMENT AREAS ............................................................................................................. 21 
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES ................................................................................................................. 23 
NEIGHBORHOOD ACCOMPLISHMENTS ................................................................................ 25 
APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................. 30 
A—LAND USE MAP ...................................................................................................................... 31 
B— ZONING MAP FOR PETTIGREW HEIGHTS ................................................................................. 32 
C—TRANSIT MAP OF PETTIGREW HEIGHTS ................................................................................... 33 
D— LANDMARK MAP OF PETTIGREW HEIGHTS .............................................................................. 34 
E—REDEVELOPMENT MAP FOR PETTIGREW HEIGHTS ................................................................... 35 
F—OWNER OCCUPIED AND RENTAL HOUSING MAP FOR PETTIGREW HEIGHTS .............................. 36 
G—DESIGN CHARRETTE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS .................................................................. 37 
H—IMAGES FROM THE DESIGN CHARRETTE .................................................................................. 39 
I—NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR PETTIGREW HEIGHTS BUSINESSES ................................................... 42 
J—NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR PETTIGREW HEIGHTS RESIDENTS .................................................... 44 
K—NEEDS ASSESSMENT SUMMARY RESULTS FOR BOTH BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS ................ 49 
L—PETTIGREW HEIGHTS HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER BROCHURE ............................................. 72 
M—PETTIGREW HEIGHTS URBAN AGRICULTURE BROCHURE ........................................................ 73 

 Executive Summary—Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan:
Pettigrew Heights, a historic neighborhood located in the core of Sioux Falls, has been the
focus of the City of Sioux Falls with regard to crime, housing, and general code enforcement
activity since 2006. Vision directed by the Mayor’s office led to the City conducting a fullblown code enforcement neighborhood conservation strategy that expanded into the
development of partnerships with neighborhood residents, business owners, nonprofit
organizations, financial institutions, and the City of Sioux Falls to decrease police service
calls, dilapidated housing, and code enforcement related complaints.
The Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood has drafted, in coordination with the City of Sioux Falls
and numerous nonprofit organizations, a redevelopment plan with identified goals and
implementation strategies for the next three to five years. The plan was written to guide
redevelopment efforts within Pettigrew Heights and designate the Pettigrew Heights
Neighborhood as a redevelopment neighborhood based on the conditions provided in SDCL
Chapter 11-7.
The redevelopment plan highlights:
o Neighborhood Vision Statement
o Goals and Implementation Strategies for Six Areas of Focus (Neighborhood
Identification, Land Use, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Safety, and Housing)
o Identification of Redevelopment Areas within the Neighborhood
o Identification of Design Guidelines and Financial Incentives for Redevelopment Areas
o Identification of the roles for the City of Sioux Falls, the Pettigrew Heights
Neighborhood, Nonprofit Organizations, and the Private Sector
Anticipated outcomes of the plan include:
o Overall neighborhood growth
o Decrease in crime statistics through awareness and neighborhood cleanup
o Decrease in code enforcement related complaints through education, cleanup, and
various rehabilitation programs
o Increase in affordable housing through encouragement of mixed-use redevelopment
along 10th and 11th Streets
o Increase in owner occupied housing through support of existing programs and
establishment of new programs such as Single-Family Tax Reduction
o Increase in redevelopment between 10th and 12th Streets and along Minnesota
Avenue
o Increase in rehabilitation of historic properties through nomination (when appropriate)
to the National Register of Historic Places
o Increase neighborhood quality of life through continued development of city, nonprofit
organizations, and neighborhood partnership services and programs relating to
safety, affordable housing, beautification, and sustainability
In conclusion, the purpose of this plan is to comprehensively define Pettigrew Heights as a
prosperous, safe, attractive, and well maintained destination with easy access to clean and
safe affordable housing and supportive neighborhood services. Existing blight due to
dilapidated housing and crime will not be prevalent and the Neighborhood will show strength
in renewed identification and its own planning efforts. In order to ensure that these
1

 objectives are met, this redevelopment plan will be readdressed by the Neighborhood and
the City Planning Office in three to five years.
Background:
Purpose
This Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan (“Plan”) was written to guide redevelopment efforts
within Pettigrew Heights and designate the Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood as a
redevelopment neighborhood based on conditions provided in SDCL Chapter 11-7.
Prior to designating the neighborhood as a redevelopment neighborhood, the City must find
that the designated area meets the conditions identified within SDCL 11-7-2 and 11-7-3,
which define both a slum area and blighted area. Those conditions are defined below.
SDCL 11-7-2 defines a “slum area” – meaning an area in which there is a predominance
of buildings or improvements which by reason of dilapidation, deterioration, age or
obsolescence, inadequate provision for ventilation, light, sanitation, or open spaces, high
density of population and overcrowding, or any combination of such factors, are
conducive to ill health, transmission of disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency and
crime, injuriously affect the entire area, and are detrimental to the public health, safety,
morals, or welfare.
SDCL 11-7-3 defines a “blighted area” – means an area where by reason of the
predominance of defective or inadequate street layout, faulty lot layout in relation to size,
adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness, or other unsanitary or unsafe conditions,
deterioration of site improvements, diversity of ownership, tax delinquency, defective or
unusual conditions of title, improper subdivision or obsolete platting, or any combination
of such reasons, development of such blighted area (which may include some incidental
buildings or improvements) into predominantly housing uses is being prevented.
The Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Committee and Technical Finance Committee will
submit the Pettigrew Heights Redevelopment Plan to the Planning Department for
consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council and designation as a
redevelopment neighborhood.
According to SDCL 11-7-78, the City Council shall not proceed with the redevelopment
project unless the City Council approves the redevelopment plan by resolution and finds that
the requirements of SDCL 11-7-78 (1-4) have been met. Those requirements are provided
below.
1. That the redevelopment project area is a slum area (as defined in 11-7-2) or that all
the following conditions exist:
a. That the redevelopment project area is a blighted area (as defined in 11-7-3);
b. That a shortage of housing of sound standards and design adequate for family
life exists in the municipality or the county;
c. That the need for housing accommodations has been or will be increased as a
result of the demolition of residential units in slum areas under redevelopment
plans;
2

 d. That the conditions of blight in the area and the shortage of decent, safe, and
sanitary housing in the municipality or the county cause or contribute to an
increase in and spread of disease and crime and constitute a menace to the
public health, safety, and welfare; and
e. That development of the blighted area for predominantly residential uses is an
integral part of and essential to the program of the municipality or the county
for the elimination of slum areas;
2. That the redevelopment plan will afford maximum opportunity consistent with the
sound needs of the municipality or the county as a whole for the redevelopment of the
redevelopment project area by private enterprise;
3. That the redevelopment plan conforms to the general plan for the development of the
municipality as a whole; and
4. That federal assistance is necessary to enable the redevelopment project area to be
redeveloped in accordance with the redevelopment plan and funds will be available
for the municipality’s or the county’s share of the cost as required by the Housing Act
of 1949 or other federal acts providing federal financial assistance, or that federal
financial assistance is not necessary and all funds will be available from other
sources.
The Plan must address the requirements set forth for preparation of a Redevelopment Plan
in South Dakota Codified Law 11-7-6. As defined by SDCL 11-7-6, a “redevelopment plan”
means a plan for a redevelopment project area which plan provides an outline for the
development or redevelopment of such area and is sufficiently complete – addressing the
following:
o It indicates its relationship to definite local objectives as to appropriate land uses and
as to improved traffic, public transportation, public utilities, recreational and
community facilities, and other public improvements.
o It indicates the proposed land uses and building requirements.
o It shows that these land uses and building requirements will do the following:
Promote the development of well planned, integrated neighborhoods.
Secure safety from fire, panic, and other dangers.
Promote health and the general welfare.
Provide adequate light and air.
Prevent the overcrowding of land.
Avoid undue concentration of the population.
Avoid congestion in the streets.
Facilitate the provisions of adequate transportation, water, sewerage, and
other public requirements.
o Prevent the recurrence of slums or conditions of blight, and the spread of
disease, crime, and juvenile delinquency.
o Permit the development of the resources and the improvement of the
economic facilities of the county, municipality, and the state.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

3

 The Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Committee and Technical Finance Committee along
with the Sioux Falls Planning Office recommend the Pettigrew Heights Revitalization Plan be
adopted as it meets the requirements provided above.
Upon designation as a redevelopment neighborhood by the City Council, the City Planning
Office will pursue the establishment of a single family tax abatement program within the
Pettigrew Heights neighborhood.
Introduction
The Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood is one of the oldest areas within Sioux Falls. The
neighborhood lies in the core of Sioux Falls, adjacent from downtown. The north boundary is
9th Street, with the south boundary being 16th street. The west boundary includes Covell,
Euclid, and Grange Avenues and the east boundary is Minnesota Avenue. A map displaying
this boundary is shown on Figure 1. The Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood consists of 60
blocks and is home to approximately 3,900 people. The 2000 Census data from this
neighborhood is provided in Figure 2.

Figure 1. Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood

4

 Race/Ethnicity
Comparison

Age Group Comparison

Pettigrew
Heights

Income & Poverty
Comparison

Pettigrew
Heights

City

City

Pettigrew
Heights

City

Under
20
years
of age
20-54
years
of age

30%

28%

White

68%

88%

Median
Household
Income

$23,289

$42,221

60%

54%

Hispanic
or Latino

17%

5%

Per Capita
Income

$16,199

$21,374

Over
55
years
of age

10%

18%

American
Indian

7%

3%

Families
below
Poverty
Level

16.90%

5.60%

African
American
Asian

6%

2%

2%

2%

Figure 2. Neighborhood Demographics – 2000 Census Data

As can be seen in the 2000 Census Data provided, the level of diversity within Pettigrew
Heights is greater than in the city of Sioux Falls as a whole. The Hispanic, American Indian,
and African American populations are larger in Pettigrew Heights than they are in other parts
of Sioux Falls. The residents within the neighborhood are within the low to moderate income
bracket. Many are underserved individuals and families who are in need of assistance in
order to achieve a higher standard of living.
The residents and business owners have seen their neighborhood decline in the past few
years and they would like to see this trend reversed. The residents and business owners
would like to continue to work with the City of Sioux Falls in order to revitalize their
neighborhood. The residents and business owners need to continue to work together to
create standards and goals for revitalization. This plan is part of that process.

5

 Pettigrew Heights CE Complaints

Number of Complaints

350

325

300
251 252
250
194

200
150
100
50

92
68

52

71

94

37

0

Year
Figure 3. Pettigrew Height Code Enforcement Complaints

A Neighborhood Conservation Area Committee (“Neighborhood”) was created by Sioux Falls
Mayor Dave Munson in July of 2006. The Neighborhood has been meeting monthly since
July 2006 and the group is comprised of over 70 residents, small-business owners,
residential landowners, local area retail banks, and school and local government officials.
The plan was generated from the Neighborhood’s meetings and discussions.

Vision Statement – Pettigrew Heights in 2015 and Beyond
Pettigrew Heights is a historically significant neighborhood within the core of Sioux Falls.
The City and Neighborhood will partner together to promote appropriate redevelopment
opportunities and suitable green space in the Neighborhood. Encouraged revitalization
efforts between 10th and 12th Streets include mixed-use redevelopment of affordable
multifamily residential uses with small retail and business office units and traditional
commercial redevelopment along Minnesota Avenue. Revitalization of the remainder of the
neighborhood involves rehabilitation of identified existing rental units into owner-occupied
residences and construction of additional clean and safe affordable housing. Promoting new
and appropriate economic development incentives for developers, business owners,
landlords, and residents, will accomplish this vision and will greatly benefit not only this core
neighborhood but the City as a whole. This will ensure a prosperous, safe, attractive, and
well-maintained destination with easy access to clean and safe affordable housing and
neighborhood services.

6

 Goals and Implementation Strategies for the Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood:
Neighborhood Identity
Identity within the neighborhood is important to the residents and businesses. Establishing
neighborhood identity by placing identification markers at gateways and along designated
neighborhood boundaries is an example of how the establishment process can work.
A positive neighborhood identity will create an increased sense of pride and will help
neighborhood residents stay invested in the revitalization process. Colorful banners hanging
from the street light poles along with other identifying markers could help give the
neighborhood a sense of distinguished physical identity and pride.
Specific Goals and Implementation Strategies with regard to neighborhood identity include:
o Involve a broad base of residents, churches, schools, nonprofit organizations, and
business and community leaders in all phases of planning and implementation.
-

The Neighborhood will continue to hold meetings in partnership with the
City Planning Office. The meetings will be held on a regular basis and will
include attendee driven content including that related to neighborhood
identification.

o Encourage and support business success on 10th and 11th Streets and
Minnesota Avenue.
-

The Neighborhood in coordination with the City Planning Office will
individually contact business owners and property owners along 10th
Street, 11th Street, and Minnesota Avenue in regard to formulating a
collaborative approach to neighborhood identify.

-

The City Planning Office will research and apply for grant opportunities that
can be used to provide further enhancements to the identification of the
neighborhood and specifically on 10th Street, 11th Street, and Minnesota
Avenue.

o Investigate historic designation for appropriate areas of Pettigrew Heights to
protect historically and culturally significant resources that contribute to the
community’s identity and history.
-

The City Planning Office, through the assistance of the Board of Historic
Preservation, will conduct a phased historic survey of the Pettigrew Heights
neighborhood. This survey will provide the basis for determining properties
worthy of nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

-

The Neighborhood, with assistance from the City Planning Office, should
pursue a partnership with the Siouxland Heritage Museums for educational
programs offered in regard to the history of the Pettigrew Heights
neighborhood including its residents, businesses, and general past.

7

 -

The Neighborhood will promote the education of its residents and business
owners at the Pettigrew Heights Museum (located just outside of the
neighborhood boundary to the north).

o Incorporate streetscape improvements into the identification process, including
light pole banners, monument signs, intersection artwork/monuments, street trees
and flowers, etc.
-

The Neighborhood, in coordination with the City Planning Office, will
identify a sub-committee to work on identifying specific projects, related
artwork or graphics, and potential costs.
The sub-committee will then establish priorities of project completion and
pursue partnerships to assist in the completion of projects through financial
means.

-

The Neighborhood will work to foster partnerships with arts organizations
including the Sioux Empire Arts Council and the Visual Arts Commission to
identify potential arts inspired streetscape improvements that would assist
in creating an identity for the Pettigrew Heights neighborhood.

-

The Neighborhood and City Planning Office will work with Sioux Falls
Beautiful to encourage the “greening” of the neighborhood by pursuing
programs to encourage flower showers and urban forestry.

o Keep the neighborhood free of debris and abandoned vehicles—indicating an
aesthetically pleasing streetscape environment.
-

The Neighborhood will continue working with the City of Sioux Falls on
maintaining code enforcement efforts within the neighborhood. This will
ensure proper maintenance of property and self-organized clean-up efforts.

The Neighborhood will conduct an annual clean-up event in coordination with the City of
Sioux Falls, Ellis & Eastern Railroad, 211 Helpline Center, the Sioux Falls Seminary, and
local neighborhood religious organizations.

8

 Land Use
The current land uses within Pettigrew Heights are shown in Appendix A. Current residential
uses include single-family, two-family, and multifamily. Other land uses identified within the
neighborhood include, commercial, office/public space, industrial, and institution, education,
and public assembly.
Conservation of single-family homes is encouraged by the Neighborhood. Encouraging
commercial business uses to those that service the needs of the neighborhood and have a
minimal impact on adjacent properties is important. As stated in the City 2015 Growth
Management Plan, zoning changes to allow multifamily or commercial land uses into older
neighborhoods should be carefully analyzed. Eighty percent of the land within Pettigrew
Heights is residential and the concentration of commercial property is along 10th Street,
11th Street, and Minnesota Avenue.
This plan does not anticipate the ratio of residential to commercial property changing
significantly during the revitalization of the neighborhood. The Neighborhood has identified
10th Street, 11th Street, and Minnesota Avenue as targets for concentrated redevelopment
activity.
Residential housing is of specific concern and focus to the Neighborhood. Many of the older
houses-turned apartments are creating a higher density than desired. Converting these
structures back into single-family houses would have many direct benefits to the
neighborhood. The Neighborhood will work with the City of Sioux Falls to develop incentives
to encourage an increase in owner-occupied housing. Currently, owner-occupied housing
within the neighborhood constitutes only 30% of the total residential housing available.
Pettigrew Heights is a well-established neighborhood. Its general layout of streets, private
property, and utilities is static; only very minor changes to this division of land are foreseen.
The City Zoning Ordinance provides standards for the use of land in order to more
effectively ensure the health and welfare of the citizenry is protected.
The future distribution, location, and variety of structures or open spaces will be discussed in
the Redevelopment section of this document.
Specific goals and implementation strategies with regard to land use include:
o Increase the number of owner-occupied residential structures in the neighborhood.
-

The Neighborhood will engage the assistance of community housing
partners such as Sioux Empire Housing Partnership, the Sioux Falls MultiHousing Association, Lutheran Social Services, and the Sioux Falls
Community Development Department to aid in this effort through
educational opportunities and incentive programs.

-

The Neighborhood will promote through the City Planning Office the
establishment of incentive programs to encourage an increase in owneroccupied housing within the neighborhood.

-

The Neighborhood will support the City Planning Office in the development
of a Single Family Tax Abatement program specific to Pettigrew Heights.
9

 o Ensure future land uses are consistent and compatible with neighborhood
development.
-

The Neighborhood will work with the City Planning Office to maintain
redevelopment areas within Pettigrew Heights.

-

The Neighborhood will work with the City Planning Office to provide
appropriate transitioning between existing or future land uses that could be
conflicting.

-

The Neighborhood will work with the City Planning Office to identify areas
in the neighborhood in which additional off-street parking is required to
support the existing or future development densities.

-

The Neighborhood, in coordination with the City Planning Office and Board
of Historic Preservation will promote the preservation of existing historic
structures and neighborhood features whenever financially feasible.

10

 Parks and Recreation
The Neighborhood has expressed a desire for the addition of open space in Pettigrew
Heights as there are currently no city parks within the neighborhood. As indicated by the
Needs Assessment Survey, conducted in the summer of 2008, residents of the
neighborhood most frequently visit McKennan Park, Terrace Park, and Falls Park.
Neighborhood open space accessible by walking is likely to be highly utilized.
Because the availability of land for open space use may be difficult to locate in a timely
manner, it is essential to also consider the establishment and expansion of other
recreational programs and opportunities for Pettigrew Heights. The Neighborhood will
continue to pursue all programs that are affordable to the residents of Pettigrew Heights.
The Neighborhood will also continue to pursue partnerships and educate residents on
existing facilities within and on the borders of the neighborhood; such as the Bowden Youth
Center, the YMCA, and the YWCA.
Specific goals and implementation strategies with regard to Parks and Recreation are:
o Expand existing recreational/leisure opportunities to meet the growing and changing
needs of the neighborhood.
-

The Neighborhood will establish a sub-committee to identify existing
recreational programming within the neighborhood that can be promoted to
residents and business owners alike. The sub-committee will then work on
fostering partnerships with other community oriented organizations
including but not limited to the Sioux Falls School District, the Bowden
Youth Center, the Sioux Falls Seminary, the Sioux Empire Community
Theatre, the Sioux Empire United Way, and the City of Sioux Falls Park
and Recreational Department to establish new recreational opportunities.

o Explore and identify specific neighborhood sites for possible indoor and outdoor
recreation programming.
-

The Neighborhood, in coordination with the City will work to locate an
appropriate neighborhood open space including adequate space needed
for playground equipment, a picnic shelter, and potentially a half basketball
court. This space should be 80 feet by 120 feet or .25 acres at a minimum,
with 130 feet by 240 feet or .75 acres being considered preferable.

-

The Neighborhood, in coordination with the City Planning Office and the
partners of the Housing Resource Center within Pettigrew Heights and
located at the Bowden Youth Center, will work on the establishment of a
neighborhood fair to be held one Saturday per month in conjunction with
the Housing Resource Center and including a farmer’s market component.

o Expand the community garden concept to include urban agriculture, green community
practices and development of a neighborhood garden club.
-

The Neighborhood, in coordination with the City Planning Office, the Sioux
Falls Seminary, and the Sioux Falls School District will work to implement
and expand upon the Urban Agricultural project to be housed at the Lowell
Elementary campus.
11

 -

The Neighborhood will coordinate with the Sioux Falls Seminary to
coordinate the expansion of urban agricultural programs throughout
Pettigrew Heights and upon the permission of neighborhood property
owners.

12

 Transportation
Sidewalks, roads, public transit routes, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian paths that are clearly
marked and safe are essential elements of a revitalized neighborhood which is why
transportation and mobility issues are extremely important to the comprehensive
redevelopment and revitalization of Pettigrew Heights.
Making the pedestrian environment attractive and comfortable is one way to encourage
street activity and to provide security and a sense of community within the neighborhood.
Residents and business owners have discussed increasing boulevard widths and providing
landscaping on major corridors. The Neighborhood supports this concept as a way to
beautify the arterial streets that extend through the neighborhood.
The density of this older neighborhood makes public transit service a practical mode of
transportation. In fact, four transit routes run through Pettigrew Heights, making public
transportation easily accessible to the neighborhood. (See Appendix C for a map of
Pettigrew Heights with the transit routes highlighted.)
Specific goals and implementation strategies with regard to transportation include:
o Promote neighborhood accessibility
-

The City of Sioux Falls will evaluate sidewalk conditions and repair as
needed.

-

The City Planning Office will continue to explore bike path opportunities for
the Pettigrew Heights neighborhood.

-

The City Planning Office will work on the development of a safe
neighborhood bicycle / pedestrian route connector to the City’s existing
greenway system.

-

The City Planning Office in coordination with the Neighborhood will work on
the education of Pettigrew Heights in relation to the City’s Public Transit
System. The City Planning Office in coordination with the City’s Leading
Green Program will offer training to residents of Pettigrew Heights on the
user-friendly nature of Public Transit.

-

The City Planning Office in coordination with Public Transit will evaluate the
need for additional bus shelters and stops throughout the neighborhood.

-

In an effort to increase neighborhood pedestrian safety, the City Planning
Office will work with the City Engineering Division and the Neighborhood to
identify traffic calming designs and devices for the intersections throughout
Pettigrew Heights and along 10th Street and 11th Street. This could include
pursuing the installation of an additional stop light at the intersection of 11th
Street and Prairie Avenue.

13

 Safety
Safety has been a significant concern expressed by the Pettigrew Heights Residents.
The Sioux Falls Police Department tracks the number of service calls within Sioux Falls.
Specifically within Pettigrew Heights, in the last two years, the number of monthly service
calls for the neighborhood has ranged from 172 calls in February of 2008 to 482 in August of
2008.
A correlation between the increase in revitalization efforts and calls related to safety and
crime is evident, however, it is the perspective of the Neighborhood and City Planning Staff
that as this growing awareness continues, crime will go down, and therefore crime related
calls will go down as well. For the first half of 2009 the number of monthly service calls has
ranged from 267 in January of 2009 to 389 in May of 2009.Though there has been a
decrease in the overall number of service calls, coordination between the Neighborhood and
City is still needed to ensure further reduction in the number of complaints and increase in
safety.
According to the Sioux Falls Fire Rescue, a response to calls for assistance occurs within
4.90 minutes. The Central Fire Station is located just one block away from the Northeast
corner of Pettigrew Heights. In addition, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue inspects vacant structures
within the neighborhood in preparation for potential emergency calls.
In a proactive approach to code enforcement and neighborhood safety, the City of Sioux
Falls inspects streetlights and sidewalks and provides landfill coupons to accompany
violation notices.
Collaboration between various City of Sioux Falls departments and the residents and
business owners in Pettigrew Heights will continue to be important in ensuring the
neighborhood safety.
For example, another way to secure safety is through the heightened awareness of business
owners and residents within the neighborhood. Through the Neighborhood Watch program
business owners and residents can work together and take a guided approach to increasing
the safety of their neighborhood
It is widely accepted that livelier streetscapes make for safer streets. In mixed use
developments, ground floor shops and market spaces providing services needed by
residents can attract activity to the street and increase safety through informal surveillance.
Entrances, porches, balconies, decks, seating and other elements can promote use of the
street front and provide places for neighborly interaction.
Specific goals and implementation strategies with regard to safety include:
o The Neighborhood in coordination with the City of Sioux Falls will identify areas
within the neighborhood in need of additional lighting.
o The City of Sioux Falls will work to ensure that all public areas are sufficiently lit.
o The Neighborhood in coordination with the City of Sioux Falls will work to retain
clean lines of sight along streets, sidewalks, and alleys.

14

 o The Neighborhood will encourage safety in design through Crime Prevention
through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles such as:
-

Use semi-transparent security screening rather than opaque walls – where
appropriate.

-

Avoid blank, windowless walls that attract graffiti and do not permit
residents or workers to observe the street.

-

Use and maintain landscaping that will maintain visibility, such as short
shrubs and pruned trees. No tree branches should be below head height.

-

Use creative ornamental grilles as fencing or over ground-floor windows in
appropriate locations.

-

Provide clear directional signage.

-

Encourage “eyes on the street” through the strategic placement of
windows, balconies, and street level uses in new construction projects.

o The City of Sioux Falls will continue to identify and track vacant structures within the
neighborhood to ensure they are not being used as hiding places or for illegal
activities.

15

 Housing
There are 815 properties containing 1,538 housing units within the Pettigrew Heights
Neighborhood. According to the 2000 Census, approximately 67 percent of the existing
neighborhood housing units are rentals.
Safe, clean, and affordable housing is necessary for Sioux Falls and especially its core
neighborhoods. To ensure the conservation and addition of affordable housing to Pettigrew
Heights, the City Planning Office in coordination with numerous community partners will
focus on ensuring safe and affordable housing choices by initiating and supporting new
landlord and tenant education classes and self-sufficiency as well as implementing programs
to improve rental relationships by providing information on the basics of property ownership.
Code enforcement is an integral part of maintaining and increasing affordable housing stock
in Pettigrew Heights. Through the code enforcement system, the City of Sioux Falls is able
to protect citizens by identifying issues and working with the property owner on remediation
efforts. Code enforcement efforts within Pettigrew Heights have increased as a result of
Phases I and II of the Mayor’s neighborhood conservation initiative in 2006. During Phases I
and II, Building and Zoning Code Enforcement divisions inspected vacant and dilapidated
structures, verified registration and licensing of rental units, and surveyed the neighborhood
for zoning violations.
The City of Sioux Falls Planning Office in coordination with the Sioux Empire Housing
Partnership and Volunteers of America – Dakotas has established a Housing Resource
Center within Pettigrew Heights. A grant from the Citi Foundation in the amount of $40,000
was awarded to the City of Sioux Falls for the purpose of funding start-up costs associated
with the Housing Resource Center. The Housing Resource Center is a place that residents
can come for advice and guidance on various housing related questions or situations. See
Appendix L for information regarding the Housing Resource Center.
According to the 2000 Census, approximately 67 percent of the housing within the
neighborhood is rental. In an effort to encourage neighborhood revitalization and growth,
the conversion of rental housing to owner-occupied housing is crucial.
Specific goals and implementation strategies with regard to housing include:
o The Neighborhood and City Planning Office will partner with organizations such as
Sioux Empire Housing Partnership, the Sioux Falls Multi-Housing Association, and
the South Dakota Housing and Development Authority to pursue the resources
necessary to encourage the transfer of rental housing units, especially those that
were built as owner-occupied housing, back into owner-occupied structures. A goal
of decreasing the rental housing from 69% to 60% should be pursued for review in
five years.
o The City of Sioux Falls Planning Office should encourage and when necessary
mandate, that all housing units within the neighborhood be maintained in a safe and
sanitary condition.
o The City of Sioux Falls Planning Office will encourage new development in the
neighborhood to consist of mixed-use design, increasing the neighborhood’s
accessibility to affordable housing and service based businesses.
16

 o The City of Sioux Falls Planning Office in coordination with the Sioux Falls Board of
Historic Preservation will identify those structures that are historically significant and
will encourage their restoration.
o The Housing Resource Center will provide educational opportunities to the
neighborhood that could improve rental relationships between multi-family property
owners, landlords, managers, and renters.
o The Neighborhood will continue to support the existing City of Sioux Falls Housing
Rehab Program, administered by the Community Development Department.
o The City of Sioux Falls Planning Office in coordination with the Neighborhood will
continue heightened City code enforcement efforts within the neighborhood. The
Neighborhood will continue to coordinate an annual clean-up event in the
neighborhood, as part of the event, the Neighborhood will survey the neighborhood
for code enforcement violations.
o The City of Sioux Falls Planning Office in coordination with the Neighborhood will
draft and recommend for approval to the Sioux Falls City Council a residential tax
abatement program for Pettigrew Heights. This program will promote significant
improvements to residential housing structures within the neighborhood.
o The City of Sioux Falls Planning Office will draft and implement a Rental Rehab
Loan program for the neighborhood. This program will promote improvements to
existing rental units within the neighborhood.

17

 Redevelopment Goals and Implementation Strategies:
Development Goals
It is of critical importance for the general well-being of the entire community that the older
neighborhoods, including Pettigrew Heights, are conserved, maintained, and improved. The
current status of the older residential areas in Sioux Falls is positive and strong, and must
remain that way. Not only are the benefits of older neighborhoods lost when they are
allowed to slip into a state of deterioration and blight, but costly new problems are created
which erode the city’s overall quality of life.
Visual deterioration gives the impression that nobody cares, creating an atmosphere which
fosters crime, antisocial activities, and further blight. Declining neighborhoods demand
additional health, social, and public safety services, weaken the tax base, and make
activities to promote new economic development in the city difficult.
Even though sound city planning practices are prevalent, the central neighborhood
redevelopment situation was exacerbated by the lack of a specific financing program tool to
afford increased lending activities by local area retail banks and other lending institutions to
developers, small business owners, and individuals, for implementation and development of
acceptable neighborhood projects. Such projects include development of small retail and
office business uses along with affordable multi-housing redevelopment projects that
conform to the City's neighborhood conservation plan program.
The following are goals related to future housing and business development within Pettigrew
Heights:
o Ensure safe, clean, and affordable housing development.
o Rehabilitate historically significant properties.
o Ensure a mix of well-maintained and up-to-code housing densities.
o Encourage new mixed multi-family residential and commercial, office and small
business development uses along major street corridors.
o Encourage innovative building designs that integrate new commercial and
residential uses into the existing historic neighborhood character.
o Provide incentives to renovate existing owner occupied residences and rental
units that will provide continued opportunities for both market and affordable
housing.
o Utilize public/private partnerships to encourage new construction of workforce
housing apartments that target families in the 30 percent to 50 percent of medianfamily income range.
o Consider development of single-resident occupancy apartment units above first
floor retail and office buildings for working individuals and retired seniors.
o Continue code enforcement activities to ensure that existing housing for lowerincome tenants is maintained in a safe and stable condition and is properly
managed.
o Make the neighborhood a home to viable and community-based local businesses.

18

 Design Guidelines
Neighborhood Design Guidelines serve as guides for building rehabilitation and new
construction, suggesting ways buildings can harmonize with and enhance their
surroundings. They are not intended to limit development or innovation, but rather to serve
as suggestions that offer architectural direction to property owners and builders. Following
these guidelines is voluntary.
Shape Sioux Falls strives to create lively, secure, and distinctive places. Land use and
development policies outlined within Shape Sioux Falls should be seen as a voluntary guide
and be considered for development, redevelopment, and renovation of the neighborhood.
Some of the policy sections include:
o Streetscape – pedestrian orientated areas with sidewalks and street trees
o Signs – signage master plans
o Multi-Modal Access – direct pedestrian pathways and street connectivity
o Open Space – small private open spaces in addition to common open spaces and
long-term landscape viability
o Parking – allow flexible parking requirements, encourage on-street parking in mixeduse areas, require pedestrian connections between public sidewalks and principal
building entrances, and require major pedestrian crossings with drive aisles and
circulation ways to be clearly delineated with pavement markings and/or contrasting
paving textures and materials
o Vertical Mixed-Use – buildings are at least two-stories high with more than one use,
pedestrian-scale, and orientated to public or private internal streets
o Horizontal Mixed-Use – buildings are connected by internal streets and drives, and
pedestrian connections and pathways
The Neighborhood has drafted guidelines for future development within the neighborhood.
Although following the guidelines is not currently mandatory, they should be reviewed and
incorporated by those proposing redevelopment within the neighborhood.
o The Neighborhood suggests creating a more pedestrian friendly neighborhood,
especially along busy corridors such as 10th and 11th Street. A primary concern within
the neighborhood is pedestrian safety, so slowing traffic on the major corridors should
be a priority. The utilization of bump-outs or different colored sidewalk would
emphasize the presence of pedestrian traffic; this was suggested as a result of the
Design Charrette. The Design Charrette was held in 2008 and facilitated by
volunteers from Architectural Incorporated. The Design Charrette provided a public
forum for neighborhood residents and business owners to make suggestions on the
existing and potential visual appearance of the neighborhood. Notes from the
Charrette meeting can be found in Appendix G and pictures from the Charrette can
be found in Appendix H.
o The Neighborhood also suggests that neighborhood bike path connections and bike
lane designations be explored and implemented when possible.

19

 o The Neighborhood made many suggestions regarding the enhancement of identity
within the neighborhood by utilizing historic lighting (if the neighborhood receives
designation as a historic district), colorful banners, and landscaping.
o The Neighborhood took note that the oldest building surveyed in Sioux Falls, located
at 702 West 11th Street, should be restored if possible. This structure is barn-like in
nature and located behind the main structure at the site. It should be noted that this
structure is located in a block highlighted for redevelopment.
o The Neighborhood suggested encouraging the use of shutters, gables, double-hung
windows, and differentiating roof lines to new construction. These building features
will complement the existing historic nature of the neighborhood.
o The Neighborhood has identified the intersection at 11th Street and Minnesota
Avenue as a “Gateway to Downtown”. Future construction projects should take
streetscape design into consideration.
o The Neighborhood has suggested that future consideration be given to enhancing
development of the triangular area by the 11th Street and Menlo Avenue intersection.
Although artwork exists on the site, the Neighborhood would suggest that
landscaping, bench seating, and additional artwork be considered.
o Improving the overall appearance of existing property by utilizing land use standards
from the Shape Sioux Falls initiative, continuing code enforcement efforts, and
emphasizing property maintenance is also recommended
Implementing design review standards will help increase a sense of identity within the
neighborhood. Design guidelines offer a flexible tool, an alternative to prescriptive zoning
requirements, which will allow new development to respond better to the distinctive
character of its surroundings. For example, new buildings developed in an established
neighborhood with an identifiable character will be viewed as undesirable intrusions unless
they respond positively to the architectural characteristics of existing buildings. Design
guidelines for architectural elements encourage new development in established
neighborhoods to complement neighboring buildings and consider how design gives a
neighborhood its identity.

20

 Redevelopment Areas
At the onset of the revitalization efforts within Pettigrew Heights, a selection of sites in the
vicinity of 10th and 11th Streets, were identified as potential redevelopment areas. As part of
this plan, areas which have been identified as having redevelopment potential are
highlighted in Figure 4.

Figure 4. Pettigrew Heights Redevelopment Properties

These redevelopment areas were identified because of their substandard and blighted
conditions, their proximity to major arterial roads, conflicts between existing land use and
future land use plans, and the minimal hardship of redevelopment on surrounding properties.
It is possible that redevelopment could also occur in areas unidentified on the map in Figure
4.
The purpose of identifying these areas is to give an indication of where future redevelopment
may occur for planning purposes. While there may be City and State incentives and
programs for redevelopment, it is generally assumed that future redevelopment will be a
private venture.
There have been three recent redevelopment projects underway in Pettigrew Heights. The
City of Sioux Falls is taking a proactive approach to bring investment and shaping land use
in the neighborhood. It recently acquired 11 residential properties comprising nearly one half
city block in size which will be redeveloped into a mixed-use facility with commercial on the
first floor and affordable housing on the upper floors. This area was identified among the
21

 selected redevelopment areas. The immediate impact will be the removal of several
dilapidated and unsafe housing structures. At the time the City acquired the 11 residential
properties, the structures were vacant. Thus, there was no need for temporary relocation of
families and no families were displaced. A new structure of high-quality design, including
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification standards for green
buildings, will be built on the site providing up to 57 new affordable housing units for the
elderly. The project will also create space for new businesses that support the needs of the
entire neighborhood. The project will serve as a catalyst for future redevelopment and
investment in Pettigrew Heights and other central-city neighborhoods. Successful
redevelopment of this property will further boost the City's ongoing efforts in revitalizing the
neighborhood by signaling to private interests that investment in this neighborhood will yield
positive returns.
Two additional redevelopments have also occurred. At the corner of 10th Street and Menlo
Avenue, five new townhouses with garages have been recently constructed by the Sioux
Empire Housing Partnership. They are to be affordable housing units suitable as a starter
home for a small family. A neighborhood ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted October 2,
2008. The units are currently being marketed and available for purchase or lease.

Figure 5. The Pettigrew Heights Town Homes

Further, the block surrounded by 10th and 11th Streets, and Menlo and Walts Avenues was
redeveloped. A fast food restaurant and several housing units were replaced with a modern
office building and a small building with three to four retail spaces.
Municipal utilities are available to serve both public and private commercial facilities.
Consideration of future provisions will continue to be made for decent, safe, sanitary, and
affordable housing projects and accessibility to employment centers located within the city of
Sioux Falls.

22

 Financial Incentives
TIF (Tax Incremental Financing)—the goal of this program is to encourage private sector
reinvestment in urban renewal areas so designated because of blight and deteriorated
conditions. The assessed value of property designated as a TIF District is frozen at
predevelopment value. The incremental increase in property tax payments is then used to
finance eligible projects. The City Planning Office has established guidelines for the use of
TIF.
Neighborhood Discretionary Property Tax Abatement—The City of Sioux Falls offers
reduced taxation to real property for qualifying new commercial structures or new
commercial residential structures, additions, renovations, or reconstruction of existing
qualifying structures. All eligible projects that have a full and true value of $30,000 or more
added to the real property and located within the city’s designated neighborhood areas shall
be taxed pursuant to the following formula during the five tax years subsequent to the
completion of their construction: Year 1—20 percent; Year 2—40 percent; Year 3—60
percent; Year 4—80 percent.
A neighborhood “toolbox” was recently created which identifies various tools available for
development projects. They are:
Tool

Responsible Partner

Existing and Proposed
Projects

Developer incentives

City

Existing: TIF, Tax
Abatement
Proposed: TBD

Renovation of owneroccupied housing
structures

City / Private

Existing: Community
Development
Neighborhood
Revitalization Program
Proposed: Single Family
Rehab Program, Single
Family Tax Abatement
Program

Developer financing
programs for renovation of
multi-family housing
structures.

City

Existing: Property Tax
Abatement for Commercial
Residential Structures (4+
units)
Proposed: Rental Rehab
Loan Program

Developer incentives

Non-Profit / Private

Existing: TBD
Proposed: TBD

Homeowner assistance

City, Non-Profit, and Private Existing: Community
Development Department,
South Dakota Housing &
Development Authority
23

 Proposed: Specific
assistance to targeted
market for Pettigrew
Heights revitalization.
Improvement of rental
relationships

City and Non-Profit

Existing: Basics of
Property Management
Class
Proposed: Housing
Resource Center

Promote commercial and
small business
development

City, Non-Profit, and Private Existing: TBD

Ensure quality of life
programs and opportunities

City, Non-Profit, and
Neighborhood

Proposed: TBD
Existing: Community
Garden Program, Urban
Agriculture Program
Proposed: Identification of
Neighborhood Open Space

Ensure safety of residents
by implementing and
monitoring City code
enforcement relative to
building, fire, health,
housing, and zoning
conditions

City and Neighborhood

Existing: Coordinate efforts
of City Code Enforcement
regulations; continue
improvements to sidewalks
and street lighting.
Proposed: Establishment of
annual clean-up activity;
expand neighborhood
watch boundary to include
all of Pettigrew Heights.

The City continues to develop partnerships with financial entities, nonprofit organizations,
and community-service agencies to bring additional capital and services into the
neighborhood.

24

 Neighborhood Accomplishments:
Below is a selected listing of recent activities and accomplishments in the neighborhood.
•

Establishment of Mayor’s Neighborhood Conservation Area Task Force in Summer 2006
85 members representing neighborhood residents, property & business owners, business
community, non-profit organizations, churches, school and government officials have met nineteen
times (since July 2006) since the committee was formed.

•

Projects N.I.C.E. & K.E.E.P. conducted in Spring 2007
Relative to neighborhood cleanup, from April 16 through April 23, 2007, a multi
departmental neighborhood cleanup occurred in conjunction with the 22nd Annual
Project NICE. Project NICE (Neighborhood Improvement/Complaint Easement) assists
neighborhoods with environmental issues such as garbage, rubbish, inoperable vehicles,
dilapidated buildings, and zoning problems. Three street crews removed 591 loads of
rubble, 12 loads of tires and 12 loads of appliances for a total of 615 truckloads of waste
removed from the neighborhood. This is over twice as many truckloads removed from a
similar neighborhood in 2006.
From April 14 through April 18, 2008, another multi-departmental neighborhood cleanup
occurred. This was in conjunction with Project KEEP. KEEP (Keep Environmental
Enhancement Permanent) helps maintain previous Project NICE neighborhoods. Three
street crews removed 187 loads of rubble, 5 loads of tires and 8 loads of appliances for a
total of 200 truckloads of waste removed from the neighborhood. The impact this
neighborhood cleanup event has had in helping maintain and improve environmental
conditions in this Sioux Falls neighborhood is significant.

•

2008 Volunteer Sioux Falls
Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Cleanup Project—September 27, 2008.
On Saturday, September 27, 2008, the Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Cleanup
Project, held in conjunction with the 2008 Volunteer Sioux Falls Event, was indeed a
great success thanks to each and every volunteer!
Between 100 and 125 people came out to help clean up the neighborhood. The cleanup
consisted of a 60-block area, including the railroad right-of-way from Minnesota Avenue
to the West 12th Street Bridge. Lunch was served to 200 neighborhood residents and
volunteers at First Christian Church, located at 524 West 13th Street.
A total of 700 pounds of yard waste and 2,440 pounds of rubble were taken to the landfill
following the clean-up. In addition to picking up litter and debris within the neighborhood,
the volunteers went door to door and dispersed over 1,000 Needs Assessment Surveys.
All in all, the combined volunteer efforts of Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood residents,
and representatives from Sioux Falls Seminary, Volunteers of America - Dakotas,
Bowden Youth Center, 2-1-1 HELP!Line, Augustana College, Ellis & Eastern Railroad
employees, and City of Sioux Falls made for a successful event.

•

Initiation of Neighborhood Watch Program
On July 22, 2008, residents and business owners and representatives from the City of
Sioux Falls Police Department met to initiate expansion of a Neighborhood Watch
Program for the neighborhood.
25

 • Sioux Falls Seminary—The Summit House
On May 7, 2008, Sioux Falls Seminary President Michael Hagan and Sioux Falls Mayor
Dave Munson announced the seminary's purchase of the building, which will be
remodeled to house as many as 11 seminary students. In return for low-cost housing,
those students will become a multifaceted human resource for the Pettigrew Heights as
well as the surrounding area.
It's the latest in an effort to invigorate the Pettigrew Heights Area. It is significant to note
that for the past eight months there have been at least 415 community contacts made
about the Summit House. Also there have been 320 volunteers who have donated 1,240
hours of work on remodeling the Summit House in preparation for student residency
beginning October 1, 2008.
There are six students residing at the Summit House—Sioux Falls Seminary—a bridging
ministry in the heart of Sioux Falls. Tim Olsen is the Summit House Director of
Operations.
• Neighborhood Website Page Development
At the September 2008 Pettigrew Heights committee meeting, a new webpage for the
neighborhood was unveiled
(www.siouxfalls.org/Planning/neighborhoods/pettigrew_heights). On this page is access
to several pieces of information related to Pettigrew Heights. History of the area, local
demographics, maps, planning strategies, city programs, and nuisance reporting are all
available at the site.
•

Exploration & Discussion of Redevelopment Concepts for the Neighborhood
o Super Block and Half Block Concepts
o Mixed-Use Concept
o 10th & 11th Street Corridors

•

Neighborhood Redevelopment/Revitalization Strategies Implemented
o Property Tax Abatement Program for Core Neighborhoods
City Ordinance No. 60-07 adopted May 7, 2007
o Sioux Empire Housing Partnership—10th Street & Menlo Avenue
This non-profit organization planned a new affordable housing project at 10th Street
and Menlo Avenue. The project is located at a highly visible neighborhood corner
area. The five (5) unit townhouse project is aimed at first-time homebuyers. This
project has been completed and is currently being marketed for sale.
o First Premier Bank—Community Garden Program
Another community garden site for 2008 was established within the neighborhood on
property owned by First Premier Bank. The garden site is located in the area of 15th
Street and Spring Avenue and includes approximately 30 garden plots. A master
gardener is available to mentor neighborhood gardeners. In spring 2009 there was a
waiting list of gardeners.

26

 Figure 6. The Community Garden Site located at 15th Street and Spring Avenue

o Neighborhood Naming Opportunities
A Neighborhood Naming Subcommittee was formed to explore naming opportunities
for the neighborhood. City Resolution #16-08 adopted by City Council on February 4,
2008 officially named the neighborhood Pettigrew Heights.
o South Dakota Multi-housing Association Classes
“Basics of Property Ownership” class offered to the general public, including
neighborhood rental owners and managers, on relative to city ordinances, code
enforcement, improving tenant relations and recycling. To date, four classes with an
average of 20 participants have been held.
o

Establishment of Technical Finance Subcommittee
20 members representing eight local area retail banks, two housing partnership
agencies, and city staff, have regularly met to discuss finance strategies for
revitalization of Pettigrew Heights.

o Development of a “Tool Box” for the Neighborhood Conservation Area Program
o Line of Credit
On February 8, 2008 Citibank was selected through a request for proposal (RFP)
process to offer the City of Sioux Falls a $5 million line of credit to acquire properties
for redevelopment within Pettigrew Heights. During this time, Citi also announced a
$50,000 grant to the City of Sioux Falls Planning and Building Services Department to
provide seed money to establish a Neighborhood Conservation Assistance Fund that
will leverage funds from local businesses and other potential contributors. These
funds will be used for a variety of programs to be offered in Pettigrew heights,
including creation of loan fund pools for developers to building and renovate
affordable housing; the launch of affordable housing market studies and
neighborhood service needs assessments; establishment of a rate buy-down program
for the loan pools and other program funds; and creation of the Housing Resource
Center to serve as an informational “one-stop shop” explaining available financing
27

 programs for developers, small businesses, homeowners, landlords, renters and local
officials.
•

Design Charrette for 11th Street Corridor Redevelopment Concepts—
Architecture INC—April 23, 2008. See Appendices G and H.

•

Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Needs Assessment Surveys (see Appendices I,
J, and K)
A community survey was administered in the Pettigrew Heights neighborhood. This
survey was intended to help the Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Committee and City
Planning staff determine what residents and business owners of Pettigrew Heights
would like to see added to their neighborhood.
Two neighborhood needs assessment surveys were developed—one for neighborhood
business owners and one for residents. Over 1,000 surveys were distributed door to
door in conjunction with the 2008 Volunteer Sioux Falls Event. Questions cover many
topics, including housing, transportation, quality of life issues, recreation, and
neighborhood concerns. Each of the 3,900 residents and business owners in Pettigrew
Heights were presented with an opportunity to complete a survey. The deadline was
October 24, 2008.
The surveys were collected and the data was analyzed. A summary report is available
to the residents and business owners within Pettigrew Heights as well as the public.
The report has been prepared, detailing the responses. The report will be made
available online, in the City Planning Office, and at regularly scheduled Pettigrew
Heights neighborhood meetings.

•

Housing Resource Center (See Appendix L)
On May 26, 2009, the ribbon-cutting and kick-off event for the Housing Resource
Center took place signifying the center’s doors were now open for business.
The Pettigrew Heights Housing Resource Center, located at 430 West 11th Street within
the Bowden Youth Center, located at 430 W. 11th Street, will meet the needs of the
Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood by providing residents with accessibility to information
regarding housing programs, financing programs, and education for developers, home
owners, landlords, and renters. The Housing Resource Center will bring the
informational need of the neighborhood to the neighborhood in a one-stop shop
location.

28

 Figure 7. The Housing Resource Center located at 430 West 11th Street

•

Urban Agriculture Program (See Appendix M)
The Pettigrew Heights Urban Agriculture initiative is a sustainable commitment to grow
hope by empowering students and adults to become leaders in Pettigrew Heights. “A
Growing Place” garden is a collaborative partnership whereby garden mentors
empower students and community residents alike to grow sustainable gardens in
Pettigrew Heights. These teaching gardens will develop self-sufficiency and lasting
community relationships.

Figure 8. “A Growing Place” garden located at Lowell Elementary School

29

 Appendices
A – Land Use Map for Pettigrew Heights
B – Zoning Map for Pettigrew Heights
C – Transit Map for Pettigrew Heights
D – Landmark Map for Pettigrew Heights
E – Redevelopment Map for Pettigrew Heights
F – Owner-Occupied and Rental Housing Map for Pettigrew Heights
G – Design Charrette Neighborhood Comments
H – Images from the Design Charrette for Pettigrew Heights
I – Needs Assessment for Pettigrew Heights Businesses
J – Needs Assessment for Pettigrew Heights Residents
K – Needs Assessment Summary of Results for both Businesses and Residents
L – Pettigrew Heights Housing Resource Center Brochure
M – Pettigrew Heights Urban Agriculture Brochure

30

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 - Zoning Map for Pettigrew Heights

 

      
   

 

 

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32

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33

 

 - Landmark Map of Pettigrew Heights

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34

 - Redevelopment Map for Pettigrew Heights


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35

 - Owner-Occupied and Rental Housing Map for Pettigrew Heights

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36

G - Design Charrette Neighborhood Comments
The following characteristics were deemed desirable by neighbors at the design charrette meeting
lead by Architecture Inc.
On 11th and 10th Streets from Duluth to Minnesota Avenue
o Would like area to be more pedestrian friendly, need deeper setbacks to create wider
sidewalks
o Encourage installation of historic lighting along with colorful banners
o Establish traffic calming by adding corner bump outs to define street crossing areas and slow
traffic
o Propose an elevated pedestrian cross over 11th street for pedestrian safety
o Vacate Spring Avenue to allow redevelopment and minimize cross street traffic on 10th and
11th.
o Extend the SF Trolley to serve the PH neighborhood, including a loop around 10th and 11thmaybe connecting to the Pettigrew Museum
o Keep buildings with historic integrity to create downtown like atmosphere
o Restore the oldest building in Sioux Falls
o Encourage the following architectural features: shutters, gables, double-hung windows,
different roof lines
- promote LEED “Green buildings”
On 11th to 10th Streets from Prairie to Duluth
o Slowing traffic on 11th by utilizing bump-outs at intersections, pedestrian
flashers, need bigger building setbacks to increase visibility
o 11th street as a “gateway into downtown”
o Super block concept between Duluth and Prairie (closing Summit Ave)
- Generally opposed to the street closure.
o 11th was main target of traffic issues
o Emphasis was on slowing traffic by utilizing bump-outs at intersections in parking lanes
utilizing pedestrian flashers, consideration of skywalks
- Highlighted 11th and Prairie as an accident area
- Lack of building setback creates visibility issues
o Preferred a unified landscaping along 10th and 11th Streets
- Similar trees in these boulevards
- Utilize potential bump-outs for trees/landmark items
o 11th Street is a “Gateway into Downtown”
- Possibly extend downtown zoning to this area, utilize downtown styles and scale,
emphasized that it must be visually stimulating/attractive
o Development of the 11th/Duluth/10th/Summit block:
- “the need to go big here”
- Potential for 4-6 story building
- High elevation conducive to creating a building with great views
- The Conceptual:
o A donut building on entire block
• Large set-backs from 10th/11th
• Minimal set-backs from Duluth/Summit
• Mixed-used
o Commercial and/or office on arterial sides
o Residential on sides
o Underground parking
o Large courtyard area in center
• Group favored six stories
o Potential to construct a sister structure on the block immediately west
o Side street traffic control:
- The group generally preferred a “Phillips” concept
o Stripe parking diagonally creating a narrow passageway and increasing
parking—particularly on Summit
37

 o

o Bump-outs’
o Creating a streetscape more pedestrian in nature
- General traffic calming techniques
Other Statements
- Will major improvements increase property values—and consequently—property
taxes on nearby property? This is a fear and concern.
- Utilizing federal and state incentives
- Need for a grocery store or restaurant (or both)
o Conceptually, the group located this south of 11th
- Pharmacy
- Crossing 11th needs to be addressed for pedestrians
- Preservation:
o Buildings, when possible
o Overall historic nature of neighborhood
- “Think BIG!”
- Potential for “green” construction

On 11th to 10th Streets from Grange to Prairie
o Street Corridors
o Crossing 11th needs to be addressed for pedestrians
o If going to vacate streets, consider alternating N/S street vacations
- Consideration be given that Prairie Ave is the busiest street.
- Consideration be given that Summit Ave is the only thru street that goes from Russell St. to 41st
Street.
- Consider utilizing Summit as a super block border street
o Beautify corridors by establish a landscape streetscape
o Add tree plantings
o Exotic botanical garden area – would be unique for neighborhood and SF
o Add historical lighting, markers and colorful banners
o Encourage community bike paths connections with bike lane designations on streets
o Green space
o Develop existing yellow triangle sculpture area with more plantings, bench seating
and plantings
o Need a neighborhood
o Locate a central park within neighborhood - Distributing Co land
o What is going to happen with the green space at former Lincoln Elementary School
site? (Neighborhood sentiment and attachment exists)
o Signage
o Standardize sign ordinance provisions for the neighborhood area
o Strip mall signage needs to be uniform in color / scale
Future Neighborhood Uses:
o Kroeger’s Grocery Store
o Banking
o Postal service
o Dry cleaning
o Medical services – clinic, pharmacy, dental, optical
o Specialty shopping
o Ethnic restaurants
o Cafes with outdoor seating
o Day care services
o Other Statements
o Locate bus transfer point and shelter at 11th & Grange Ave
o Expand trolley to neighborhood area and stop off at main streets.
o Consider historic nature of neighborhood – preserve buildings if possible

38

  - Images from the Design Charrette courtesy of Architecture Inc.

 

39

 

4o

 

I - Needs Assessment for Pettigrew Heights Businesses
Pettigrew Heights Business Survey
Welcome! Thank you for taking time to fill out this survey. The purpose of this survey is to identify the
needs in your Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood. Your input on the future of the neighborhood is
important. Your responses will help the City of Sioux Falls in their efforts to revitalize the
neighborhood.
Instructions:
Please answer each question to the best of your ability. If there are any questions you do not
understand, or are uncomfortable with, please leave them blank. Please complete and return this
survey in the envelope provided by October 24th.
Pettigrew Heights Businesses
1. How long have you owned or operated your business?
_____0-5 years
______6-10 years
______ 11-15 years

_______more than
15 years

2. What incentive programs would be beneficial for your business and others in Pettigrew Heights?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
__________________
3. What concerns do you have?
Providing benefits for employees
Available work force
Transportation for employees
Other _______________________

_____
_____
_____

Parking
______
Marketing/advertising ______
Employee turnover ______

4. Are you a member of the Chamber of Commerce?
_____yes
______no
If no, would you consider membership? _____yes

______no

5. Are you interested in forming a neighborhood business association?
_____yes
______no
______maybe
_____unsure
6. Are your customers primarily citizens from the neighborhood or outside of the neighborhood?
____yes, they are from the neighborhood ____ no, they are from outside of the
____ both
neighborhood
7. What is your business?
Grocery store
Hair salon
Dentist’s office
Convenience store
Movie rental store
Bank
Pharmacy
Mechanic
Video lottery/bar

______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______

Restaurant
_______
Medical center
_______
Fitness facility
_______
Small retail store
_______
Book store
_______
Hardware store
_______
Laundry mat
_______
Optometrist
_______
Other _____________________

42

 8. What types of businesses do you think would best enhance the neighborhood? (check all that
apply)
Grocery store
Hair salon
Food co-op
Dental office
Convenience store
Movie rental store
Bank
Worship facility
Pharmacy
Postal Service
Auto repair shop
Video lottery/bar

______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______

Restaurant
_______
Medical center
_______
Day care
_______
Fitness facility
_______
Small retail store
_______
Book store
_______
Hardware store
_______
Family doctor
_______
Laundry mat
_______
Dry cleaner
_______
Optometrist
_______
Other ____________________

9. What other improvements would you like to see within the neighborhood?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
-------------------------------------------------(Detach Here)------------------------------------------------Optional Contact Information
If you would like to be involved in the revitalization of Pettigrew Heights in any way, please
detach this part of the survey, fill it out, and return it with your completed survey.
Name: ____________________________

Address:______________________
______________________

Phone Number: ____________________

Email:________________________

43

 J - Needs Assessment for Pettigrew Heights Residents

Pettigrew Heights
Neighborhood Survey
Welcome!
Thank you for taking time to fill out this survey. The purpose of this survey is to identify the needs in your
Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood. Your input on the future of the neighborhood is important. Your
responses will help the City of Sioux Falls in their efforts to revitalize the neighborhood.

Instructions:
Please answer each question to the best of your ability. If there are any questions you do not understand,
or are uncomfortable with, please leave them blank. Please return this survey to one of the locations below
by October 24.
—Lowell Elementary, 710 West 18th Street
(Open 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday through Friday; use the Summit Avenue entrance)
—Bowden Youth Center, 430 West 11th Street
(Open from 3:30–10:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday)
—Black Sheep Coffee, 1007 West 11th Street
(Open 6:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m.–midnight Saturday, and 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday)
—First United Methodist Church, 401 South Spring Avenue
(Open 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.–noon Friday; please enter through west
entrance)
—City Hall, 2nd Floor, Planning Office, 224 West 9th Street
(Open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday)
Section I. Location
1. Using the map below, please check which area you live in:
______1

______2

______3

44

______4

 Section II. Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Concerns
1. Please rank the following issues according to your level of concern. Please rank only the 5 that you are
most concerned about, with 1 being “most concerned” and 5 being “least concerned.”
Affordable housing
_____
Access to libraries
_____
Availability of parks
_____
Access to cultural activities
_____
Transportation
_____
Quality K-12 education
_____
Health insurance
_____
Quality affordable child care _____
Safety
_____
Access to grocery store/restaurant _____

Adult education opportunities
Access to computers/Internet
Recreational activities
Litter/debris
After-school programs
Stray animals
Affordable health care
Mental health services
Availability of jobs (with a living wage)
Access to a pharmacy

_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____

2. Do you or anyone in your family experience the following situations? (Check all that apply.)
Unemployment_____
Language barriers
Domestic abuse _____
Teen pregnancy
Mental health concerns _____ High school dropout rate
Child abuse
_____ Sexual assault

_____
_____
_____
_____

Hunger
_____
Substance abuse_____
Noise _____
Poverty _____

3. Is maintaining neighborhood cleanliness through clean-up projects important to you?
_____Yes

______No

______Maybe

______Don’t know

Section III: Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Safety
1. How do you feel about the presence of law enforcement in your neighborhood?
____ It is too high

____ It is just right

____ It is too low
45

 2. What do you feel is needed to increase safety within the neighborhood? (Check all that apply.)
More frequent police patrols
Activities for youth
Neighborhood watch
Increased lighting
Safety education campaign

_____
_____
_____
_____
_____

Report suspicious activities
Use of porch lights
Social events/activities
Youth curfews
Other

______
______
______
______
______

3. Do you feel that the following safety concerns are issues within your neighborhood?
Yes
No
Unsure
Poor housing/building conditions
____
____
____
Condition of sidewalks
____
____
____
Sanitation/garbage pick up
____
____
____
Poor lighting
____
____
____
Frequency of street lights
____
____
____
Street parking
____
____
____
Traffic control
____
____
____
Loitering
____
____
____
Graffiti/Vandalism
____
____
____
Gang activity
____
____
____
Violent crime
____
____
____
Transient activities
____
____
____

Section IV. Pettigrew Heights Housing/Transportation
1. Please rate your housing conditions:
_____Good
_____Fair
_____Poor (If “poor,” please explain what repairs are needed
below.)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Please tell us how often you use the following forms of transportation:
Always
Sometimes
Seldom
Personal vehicle
_____
_____
_____
Family vehicle
_____
_____
_____
Walk
_____
_____
_____
Bicycle
_____
_____
_____
Bus
_____
_____
_____
Get a ride with a friend
_____
_____
_____
Taxi
_____
_____
_____
3. Are you a (check all that apply)

Never
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____

____Home owner

____Tenant in a rental unit
____Rental
property owner
____ Other (please specify) ______________________________________________________
4. Do you know who to contact to report a complaint regarding weeds, housing conditions, trash, debris,
and safety?
_____Yes
_____No
______Unsure
46

 Section V. Pettigrew Heights Recreational Opportunities
1. What activities interest you? (Check all that apply.)
Neighborhood gatherings
____
Recreational activities for youth
_____
A Welcoming committee
____
Farmers’ market
_____
Park
____
Other __________________________________
2. Would you or do you use the existing community garden located at 15th Street and Spring Avenue?
____Yes
____No
_____Maybe
____Unsure
If no, what prevents you from using it?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. What City parks do you visit regularly? (Please list.)
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. What park facilities do you utilize most? (Check all that apply.)
Picnic tables
____ Playground equipment ____
Picnic shelters
____ Bike trail
____
Restrooms
____ Water fountain
____

Basketball court _____
Open green space _____
Other ________________

Section VI. Pettigrew Heights Vision for the Future
1. Which of the following resources and services do you believe are important for the Pettigrew Heights
Neighborhood? (Check all that apply.) Please use the space at the end to fill in other resources not listed.
The Banquet
_____
Places of worship
_____
Big Brothers Big Sisters
_____
Financial counseling or planning
_____
Bowden Youth Center
_____
Family planning/contraceptive counseling
____
Food Pantry
_____
Job training
_____
Good Samaritan Village
_____
Personal finance coaching
_____
Lutheran Social Services
_____
Drop-off low-cost day care
_____
Sioux Falls Transit
_____
Drug/alcohol rehabilitation services
_____
211 HELP!Line
_____
Mentor programs
_____
Meals on Wheels
_____
(Other) ________________________
_____
Multi-Cultural Center
_____
(Other) ________________________
_____
The Washington Pavilion _____
(Other) ________________________
_____
YMCA/YWCA
_____
(Other) ________________________
_____
2. What other service(s) would you like to see in the neighborhood? (Check all that apply.)
Day care
____ Postal Service
Convenience store ____ Worship facility
Grocery store
____ Family doctor/clinic
Laundromat/dry cleaner____ Hardware store
Neighborhood Housing Resource Center ____

____
Food co-op _____
____
Bank
_____
____
Pharmacy
_____
____
Restaurant
_____
Other _________________________

Section VII. Information About You
1. ______Male _____Female
2. How long have you lived in Pettigrew Heights?
47

 ___Less than 6 months

___6 months–1 year

___2–5 years

___6–10 years

____11 or more years

3. What is your current employment status?
___Employed
___Retired

___Unemployed (looking for work)

___Work seasonally/temporarily

___Unemployed (not looking for work)
___Other___________________________

4. What is your age range?
___18–20 ___21–25 ___26–35 ___36–45 ___46–55 ___56–65 ___66–75 ___76 or older
5. How many people are in your household? ______
6. How many of the people in your household are under the age of 18? ______
7. If English is not your primary language, please tell us what it is. ________________________
8. Do you have access to the Internet on a regular basis? ____Yes

_____No

----------------------------------------------------------------------------(Detach Here)-----------------------------------------------Section VIII. Optional Contact Information
If you would like to be involved in the revitalization of Pettigrew Heights in any way, please detach this
part of the survey, fill it out, and place it in the box with your completed survey.
Name:

Phone Number:

Address:

Email:

48

 K - Needs Assessment Summary Results for both Businesses and Residents

Introduction
The Neighborhood Services Team within the Planning Office prepared two needs
assessment surveys to be administered within the Pettigrew Heights neighborhood; one
specifically for businesses and the other for residents. The Neighborhood Services Team
drafted the surveys in coordination with the Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Committee and
several non-profit organizations.
Business surveys were distributed via postal mail to 75 businesses with Pettigrew Heights.
Residential surveys were distributed door to door by volunteers that took part in the
Volunteer Sioux falls clean up event on Saturday, September 27th, 2008. Drop boxes were
set-up at the following five locations within Pettigrew Heights.
o
o
o
o
o

Lowell Elementary, 710 West 18th Street
Bowden Youth Center, 430 West 11th Street
Black Sheep Coffee, 1007 West 11th Street
First United Methodist Church, 401 South Spring Avenue
City Hall, 2nd Floor, Planning Office, 224 West 9th Street

The deadline to turn in surveys was October 24, 2008. Both surveys were also available
online through the 24th of October. Regarding the residential surveys, just over 1000 were
dispersed. Seventy-nine were returned—71 in the drop boxes, 8 online. Regarding the
business surveys, 75 were sent out, and 20 were returned. Eighteen of those were returned
via the mail, while 2 were completed online. The surveys were tabulated by the
Neighborhood Services Team, and this report was created to share the results with the
community. Copies of these surveys are available in the appendices of this report.

49

 Residential Assessment Results
Location
o The first question on the
residential needs assessment
survey asked respondents to
identify the area of Pettigrew
Heights in which they live,
using the map shown to the
right.
The Neighborhood Services Team
determined that due to the size of
the neighborhood the data
interpretation would be more
informative if question results could

be linked to specific areas of the
neighborhood.

Of the people that responded to this question;
o 28% live in area 1;
o 22% live in area 2;
o 18% live in area 3;
o 32% live in area 4.
This data is represented on the chart below.

% Respondants by Area of Residence

28%
32%
Area 1
Area 2
Area 3
Area 4

18%

22%

Concerns
o The second section of the residential needs assessment asked
respondents to rank their top five concerns from a list of concerns
provided on the survey. 67% of responders identified safety as their main
concern. The second highest concern was litter and debris, the third was
50

 the affordable housing, with the fourth being access to a grocery store or
restaurant. There was a three-way tie for the top fifth concern; including
health insurance, affordable health care, and the availability of jobs.

Respondants' Top Five Concerns by % Marked

57%

33%

Affordable Housing
safety
litter

31%

grocery store
Health Insurance
affordable health care

67%

availablity of jobs

40%

The chart below, entitled “Residents’ Concerns by % in Pettigrew Heights” shows
each response by category. We have provided a chart including each possible
concern. The chart illustrates the ranking assigned to each concern as
determined by each response.

51

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52

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Residents' Concerns by % in Pettigrew Heights

80%

70%

60%

50%
% that marked 1

40%
% that marked 2

% that marked 3

% that marked 4

30%
% that marked 5

20%

10%

0%

 o Within the section dealing with neighborhood concerns, respondents were
asked to consider a list of 12 situations and to identify those they or a
family member may have experienced. The situations included in the
question were: unemployment, domestic abuse, mental health concerns,
child abuse, language barriers, teen pregnancy, high school drop out,
sexual assault, hunger, substance abuse, noise, and poverty.

70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
poverty

noise

substance
abuse

hunger

sexual assault

H.S. drop-out
rate

teen
pregnancy

language
barriers

child abuse

mental health
concerns

domestic
abuse

% with experience

unemployment

Percent

P.H. Residents' Experience

Experience

o With regard to maintaining neighborhood cleanliness, respondents were
asked if it was important to them. Responses included; yes, no, maybe,
and don’t know.
-

94% of respondents said that maintaining neighborhood cleanliness was
important to them.
1% said that it was not important.
4% said that it was maybe important.
1% did not know if it was important.

53

 Safety
The Neighborhood Services Team anticipated safety being one of the top
concerns of the residents within Pettigrew Heights, so a section of the residential
needs assessment survey was dedicated to safety concerns. Three questions
were asked about safety within the survey.
o The first question asked how residents rated the presence of law
enforcement in the neighborhood. The responses of the residents are
illustrated in the chart below.
How Residents Feel About the Police Presence in Pettigrew
Heights
4%
37%
It is too high
It is just right
It is too low
58%

o The second question in the safety section of the residential needs
assessment asked residents what activities they felt were needed to
increase safety within their neighborhood. The residents could check as
many of the following options as applied. More frequent police patrols,
activities for youth, neighborhood watch, increased lighting, safety
education campaign, report suspicious activities, use of porch lights, social
events and activities, and youth curfews were the options residents could
choose from. There was also a blank labeled “other” if residents felt an
additional activity would help increase safety.
o 63% of residents felt that if suspicious activities were reported, the
neighborhood would be safer.
o 60% of respondents said that a neighborhood watch program would
increase safety.
o 59% percent believed increased lighting would increase safety.
o 58% said more frequent police patrols would increase safety within
Pettigrew Heights.
Data detailing the rest of the results may be found in the appendix.

54

 o The final question regarding neighborhood safety asked specifically about
the following concerns and if they were issues within the neighborhood.
The respondent could answer “yes”, “no”, or “unsure”.
The concerns included: poor housing/building conditions, condition of sidewalks,
sanitation/garbage pick up, poor lighting, frequency of street lights, street
parking, traffic control, loitering, graffiti and vandalism, gang activity, violent
crime, and transient activities.
Charts showing the responses to each possible safety concern are included in
the index. The three most common responses regarding what is a safety concern
within Pettigrew Heights were: housing conditions, loitering, and lighting. 72% of
people felt that housing conditions are a safety concern, 58% felt that loitering is
a safety concern, and 53% felt that lighting is a safety concern.
Housing and Transportation
Section four of the Pettigrew Heights needs assessment survey asked residents
to respond to questions about housing conditions and transportation.
o The first question asked the respondent to rate their housing conditions as
either “good”, “fair”, or “poor”. If the respondent marked “poor”, they were
asked to write a short explanation detailing what needed to be repaired.
Sixty-four percent of respondents said that their housing conditions were
good, 26% said their housing conditions were fair, and 7% said the
conditions of their house is poor. This information is shown in the chart
below. Respondents that marked poor sited the following things as being
wrong:
-

Junk in front and back of the house
Windows need updating
Garage door needs replacing
Wiring needs replacing
Plumbing needs to be addressed
Furnace needs replacing
Roof leaks

55

 Housing Conditions
64%

70%
60%
Percent

50%
40%
26%

30%
20%

7%

10%
0%
Good

Fair

Poor

Reponse

o Residents were also asked to answer a question regarding how often they
used seven different modes of transportation. The different modes
included: personal vehicle, family vehicle, walk, bicycle, bus, getting a
ride with a friend, and taking a taxi.
The table below shows the responses from this question.

Always
Sometimes
Seldom
Never

Personal Family
Vehicle
Vehicle

Walk

Bike

Bus

74%
12%
1%
3%

15%
55%
11%
8%

5%
27%
14%
29%

4%
7%
7%
52%

38%
0%
1%
12%

Ride
with a
Friend
3%
32%
16%
22%

Taxi
0%
8%
22%
38%

As shown in the table above, the most common form of transportation is a personal
vehicle. From the data, it appears that many people walk or bike at least some of the
time to meet their transportation needs. Fifty-five percent of the respondents said that
they sometimes walk to get where they are going. Twenty-seven percent said that they
sometimes bike as a means of transportation. Fifty-two percent of people said that they
never use the bus as a way to get from place to place.
o We also asked whether the respondents were a home owner, a tenant in a rental
unit, rental property owner, or other, with space to specify what “other” meant to
their situation. Sixty-eight percent of people that completed the survey were
home owners, 23% were tenants in rental units, 4% were rental property owners,
and 5% of respondents fell into the “other” category, in this situation, meaning
that they were either a rental property manager, a person living with a relative in
the neighborhood, or a committee member from outside the neighborhood.
o The last question in the fourth section asked if the respondent knew who to
contact to report a complaint regarding weeds, housing conditions, trash, debris,

56

 and safety. The respondents could pick from three answers, “yes”, “no”, or
“unsure”. Fifty-six percent of people said yes, they did know who to contact, 27%
said no, they did not, and 17% said they were unsure of who to contact.
Recreational Opportunities
Section five asked the respondents’ four questions about recreational opportunities.
o The first question asked the respondents to check which activities interested
them. The list included neighborhood gatherings, a welcoming committee, a park,
recreational activities for youth, a farmer’s market, and or “other”, with room to
explain. Sixty-four percent of respondents selected a farmer’s market, making it
the most popular response for this question. Fifty-nine percent of responses
selected a park, forty-one percent selected neighborhood gatherings, thirty-nine
percent selected recreational activities for youth, and twenty-five percent
selected welcoming committee.
o When asked if they currently utilize or would consider utilizing the community
garden at located at 15th and Spring Avenue, 71% of respondents said no.
Fourteen percent of respondents said that they did or would use the community
garden. Eight percent said “maybe” and 5% said they were unsure. When
prompted to answer what prevents them from using it, those that said no said
that they did not know it was there. Other residents expressed concern about the
possibility of theft.
o The respondents were also asked which City parks they frequent. The question
was open ended, giving respondents room to list the parks they use. The most
common responses were Terrace Park, McKennan Park, and Falls Park.
o The survey asked what park facilities the respondents utilize, giving them the
following choices to choose from: picnic tables, picnic shelters, restrooms,
playground equipment, bike trails, water fountains, basketball courts, open green
spaces. The respondents were also given a blank labeled “other” to submit other
facilities that they use. The most popular park facility was the bike trails, with
53% of respondents saying they use them. Fifty percent of respondents also use
the open green spaces and the playground equipment. Forty percent of
respondents use the water fountains, 38% use the restrooms, 37% the picnic
tables, 25% the picnic shelters, and 12% the basketball courts.
Vision for the Future
The sixth section of the survey discussed the vision for the future.
o For the first question, the respondent was given a list of resources. They are
seen below in the left column of the table. They were to mark the ones they felt

57

 were an important resource for the community. The right column shows how
many of the respondents felt that that resource was important.
The percents that accompanied each resource are listed below:
Resource
Sioux Falls Transit
Places of Worship
YMCA/YWCA
The Bowden Youth Center
The Food Pantry
Drop-off low cost day care
The Banquet
Job training
The Washington Pavilion
Multi-Cultural Center
Drug/alcohol rehabilitation services
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Financial counseling or planning
Meals on Wheels
Personal finance coaching
Lutheran Social Services
211 Helpline
Multi-Cultural Center
Family planning/contraceptive counseling
Mentor programs

Percent
69%
64%
56%
53%
51%
51%
47%
47%
46%
36%
44%
43%
43%
40%
39%
39%
36%
36%
34%
31%

o The second question within the vision for the future section of the survey asked
what other services the respondent would like to see in the neighborhood. The
options included: day care, convenience store, grocery store, Laundromat/dry
cleaner, neighborhood housing resource center, postal service, worship facility,
family doctor/clinic, hardware store, food co-op, bank, pharmacy, and restaurant.
The respondents were also given a blank where they could write in what
additions they would like to see.
The three most popular additions to the neighborhood were: a grocery store (48%),
postal service (39%), and a food co-op (38%). A detailed graph showing what percent of
respondents thought each service would be a good addition to the neighborhood is
pictured below.

58

 33%

31%

21%

38%

33%
15%

Po
st
W
al
or
sh
ip
Fa
Fa
c.
m
i ly
do
Ha
ct
rd
or
w
ar
e
St
or
Fo
e
od
C
oop

Da
y

33%

16%

C

15%

39%

20%

Ph
ar
m
ac
y
Re
st
au
ra
nt

33%

Ba
nk

48%

HR

50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

Ca
Co
re
nv
en
ie
nc
e
G
ro
ce
ry
La
un
dr
y

Percent

Residents' Preferences for Additonal Services in Pettigrew
Heights

Service

About the respondents
The final section of the residential needs assessment survey was intended to provide us
information about the respondents. Eight short questions were asked about the
respondents, and the information gathered from those questions is summarized below.
o Fifty-six percent of those that
responded to the survey were
female, and 44% were male. The
chart below, labeled “Length of
Residency within Pettigrew
Heights” details how long the
respondents have lived in the
area. Forty-seven percent of
those that completed the survey
have lived in Pettigrew Heights
for more than 11 years. Twentyfive percent of residents had only
been in the neighborhood
between 2 and 5 years.

Male and Female Respondants

Female
56%

Male
44%

59

 Length of Residency within Pettigrew Heights

8%

7%
Less than 6 months

47%

6 months-1 year
2-5 years
25%

6-10 years
11/+ years

12%

Employment Status
7%
1%

employed

20%

unemployed looking
unemployed not looking

0%
4%

retired
71%

work seasonally
other

The chart above details the employment status of the respondents. As pictured, the
majority of respondents are employed (71%), and twenty percent are retired. The
“other” category encompasses those on disability and those that specified themselves
as self-employed.

60

 Age of Respondents

12%

0%

9%

18-20

9%

7%

21-25
26-35
36-45
46-55
16%

19%

56-65
66-75

28%

76/+

This chart shows the age group of respondents. The most common age of respondent
was the 46-55 age range, with the second most common age being the 56-65 age
range. Together, these two groups make up 47% of the respondents. No one in the 1820 age range completed the survey. Twelve percent of respondents were age 76 or
older, 9% were 21-25 years old, 9% were 26-35 years old, and 7% are 66-75 years old.
o As seen on the table to the left, 74%
of the respondents have internet
access on a regular basis, while
26% do not. The other two
questions in this section dealt with
the number of people in the
respondents’ household, and the
number of people in the
respondents’ household under age
18. Thirty-two percent of the
respondents live alone, while 31%
live with one other person. Eleven
percent live with two other people,
11% live with three other people,
7% live with four other people, 3%
live with five other people, and 1%
live with 6, 8, or 9 other people.

Access to Internet

no, 26%

yes, 74%

61

 Business Assessment Results
The Business Survey was not broken down into geographic locations and was
comprised of only nine questions.
o The first question asked how long the business owner or manager had owned or
operated their business. The respondents had four choices: “0-5 years”, “6-10
years”, “11-15 years”, and “more than 15 years.” The chart below illustrates the
responses.
How long businesses have been in Pettigrew Heights

15%
0-5 years

40%

6-10 years
25%

11-15 years
15 or more years

20%

o The second question asked what incentive programs would be beneficial for the
respondents’ business. The question was open-ended, giving respondents plenty of
room to discuss what programs would help their business.
Responses included:
o An incentive that encourages state, county, city, and private organizations
to hire in state.
o A program that would enable the owner to own their own building. A tax
break or down-payment assistance program would be beneficial.
o Free bus passes
o Free paint giveaways
o City property tax incentives to fix up properties
o The third question asked respondents what sorts of concerns they have—they were
given a list and asked to check all that applied. The list included the following:
providing benefits for employees, available work force, transportation for employees,
parking, marketing/advertising, and employee turnover. There was also a place for
the respondent to mark “other” and provide an explanation. The biggest concern for
business owners was parking, with 42% of respondents concerned about it. Thirtythree percent of respondents were concerned about providing benefits for
employees, marketing and advertising, and employee turnover. Just 17% of
respondents were concerned about the availability of a work force and just 8% were

62

 concerned about employee transportation. A chart detailing this information is found
below.

33%

33%

Employee
Turnover

33%
17%

Parking

Employee
Transportation

Available Work
Force

8%
Benefits

45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

Marketing/Adver
tising

Concerns of Business Owners
42%

Other concerns of the residents included crime and major businesses hiring out of state
consultants.
o Survey question number four asked if the respondent was a member of the
Chamber of Commerce, and if not, would they consider membership.
Twenty-eight percent of the respondents were members, while 67% were not. Of the
67% that are not members, 75% would consider membership, while 25% would not.
Interest in a Neighborhood Business
Association

The respondents were also asked if they
were interested in forming a
neighborhood business association, with
the possible answers being “yes”, “no”,
“maybe”, and “unsure”. The chart below
illustrates the responses given.
Twenty-six percent of respondents were
interested in a neighborhood business
association, 37% were maybe
interested, 21% were unsure, and only
16% were not interested.

unsure, 21%

yes, 26%

no, 16%
maybe, 37%

63

 o Business owners were also asked whether their customers came from inside the
neighborhood, outside the neighborhood, or a mixture of in and outside of the
neighborhood. The responses of the business owners are detailed below.
Where the Clients and Customers Originate

11%
37%

In the Neighborhood
Outside of the Neighborhood
Both
53%

The types of businesses that responded to the survey questions included the following:
-

Law Firms
Architectural Firms
Computer Repair
Treatment Center
Payday Advance
Executive Search
Printer
Service repair station
Counseling Facility
Truck Rental
Office Buildings
Coffee Shop
Tattoo Facility
Social Service Agency
Professional Accounting Services

64

 o The respondents were also asked which businesses they feel would best enhance
the neighborhood. The chart below details the businesses listed for the respondent
to choose from, along with their responses.
What Businesses Would Best Enhance the Neighborhood?

Optometrist

Dry Cleaner

Laundry

Family

Hardware

Book Store

Small Retail

Fitness

Day Care

Medical

Restaurant

Video

Mechanic

Postal

Pharmacy

Worship

Bank

Movie Rental

Convenience

Dentist

Food Co-op

Salon/Barber

Grocery

50%
44%
44%
45%
40%
35%
29%
25%
25%
30% 25%
25%
19%
19%
19%
19%
20%
13%
13%
13%
13%13%
15%
6%
6%
6%
6% 6%
6%
10%
0%
0%
5%
0%

As illustrated in the chart, the neighborhood identifies both a restaurant and a book
store as the best future enhancements to their neighborhood. 44% of respondents
marked both of those choices. 29% identified a laundry facility and 25% identified a
grocery store as neighborhood needs. The remainder of the choices received marks
from less than 25% of respondents.
o The last question asked the business owners what other improvements they would
like to see within the neighborhood. The question was open-ended and gave the
respondent the opportunity to respond in detail. Their responses are provided below:
-

Decrease the number of rental houses
Make 10th, 11th, and 12th Streets completely commercial, with no residential
housing
Host block parties (without alcohol) so neighbors can get to know each other
Take down broken signs and billboards
Tear down the burnt building on Grange
Neighborhood watch
Maintain the residential properties through maintenance and painting efforts
Bulldoze the more dilapidated buildings
Create a bike trail through downtown
Add more traffic lights on 10th and 12th streets to slow traffic
Add ‘wrong way on one way’ street signs
Add a park to create a gathering place for residents
Bulldoze the condemned houses
Create safe, affordable housing

65

 Appendix
Safety
Question 3—These charts illustrate the full responses for each of the safety concerns listed.
Are the Conditions of Sidewalks a Safety
Concern?

Are Housing and Building Conditions a
Safety Concern?

Unsure,
8%
8%

14%

Yes, 34%

No, 46%
72%

Is Sanitation and Garbage Pick Up a Safety Concern?

Is Lighting a Safety Concern?

Unsure, 18%

Unsure,
11%

Yes, 27%

No, 24%
Yes, 53%

No, 41%

66

 Is Street Parking a Safety Concern?

Is the Frequency of Street Lights a Safety
Concern?

Unsure, 9%
Unsure, 22%
Yes, 28%

Yes, 34%

No, 39%
No, 32%

Is Loitering a Safety Concern?
Is Traffic Control a Safety Concern?

Unsure,
12%

Unsure, 14%
Yes, 27%

No, 23%
Yes, 58%

No, 41%

67

 Is Graffiti a Safety Concern?

Is Gang Activity a Safety Concern?

Unsure, 19%

Unsure,
34%

Yes, 46%

Yes, 32%

No, 23%

No, 22%

Is Violent Crime a Safety Concern?

Unsure, 26%
Yes, 35%

No, 26%

Are Transient Activities a Safety Concern?

Unsure, 27%
Yes, 41%

No, 19%

68

 Housing and Transportation
Question Two—These charts illustrate the responses given for each form of
transportation.
Personal Vehicle Use
80%

74%

70%

Percent

60%
50%
40%
30%
20%

12%

10%

1%

3%

Seldom

Never

11%

8%

Seldom

Never

0%
Alw ays

Sometimes
Response

Walking
55%

60%

Percent

50%
40%
30%
20%

15%

10%
0%
Alw ays

Sometimes
Response

Biking
35%

29%

27%

30%
Percent

25%
20%

14%

15%
10%

5%

5%
0%
Alw ays

Sometimes
Response

69

Seldom

Never

 Family Vehicle Use
50%

Percent

40%

38%

30%
20%

12%

10%

0%

1%

Sometimes

Seldom

0%
Alw ays

Never

Response

Bus
60%

52%

Percent

50%
40%
30%
20%
10%

4%

7%

7%

Alw ays

Sometimes

Seldom

0%
Never

Response

Riding with a Friend
35%

32%

30%
22%

Percent

25%
20%

16%

15%
10%
5%

3%

0%
Alw ays

Sometimes

Seldom
Response

70

Never

 Taxi
50%
38%

Percent

40%
30%

22%

20%
10%

8%
0%

0%
Alw ays

Sometimes
Response

71

Seldom

Never

  - Pettigrew Heights Housing Resource Center Brochure

Location

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within the Pettigrew Heights
Neighborhood
at the Bowden Youth Center.

430 West I Street
Sioux Falls. SD 
Please use east door entrance.
Hours of Operation:

Tuesdays from 5 to 3 pm.
Thursdays tron-t 9 am. to pm.

Third Saturdays from 9 am. no l2 noon

Purpose

The Housing Resource Center
(HRC) will meet the needs

of the Pettigrew Heights
Neighborhood by providing
residents with accessibility to
information regarding housing
programs. ?nancing programs.
and education for developers.
home owners. landlords. and
renters. The HRC will bring
the informational needs of
your neighborhood to the
neighborhood in a

one-stop shop location.

PHTTIGHEIIJ HEIGHTS

Contact Information:

430 West I Street
Sioux Falls1 SD 5? NH
Phone: (605) 275-0400
Email: pettigrewhousing@
midconetworkcom



The Pettigrew Heights
Housing Resource
Center Will:

it? Educate neighborhood moments.
business owners. city government.
and other parties about each others
affordable housing concerns. available
programs. and visions {or the future.

of Promote collaboration between the
city. the neighborhood. business
owners. and area non-profit
organizations in order no achieve
mumal goals and a sharedsenseof




Develop a'?tewzf' 
needed and I 
resources. 

neighbors with an opportunitnq -- -
together as a?'otp and celebrate your
me of neighborhood by helping each
other with housing related proiects. In
addition. there will be opportmioIs-m
Tuesday evenings and on the third Saturday
mornings of each month to participate

in HRC Informational programs and
workshops.

72

   
    
   

  
  

u- . 
5?3

HEIGHTS

HOUSING,
RESOURCE
CENTER

HRTIEBHIPS: lined-pin lhtoinu 

multinationals]:

  
 

      

  
  

    
 
   
  
 

Informational Services
and Resources:

The Neighborhood Housing Resource
Center will provide the following
infloo'national services and resources to
you and other Pettigrew Heights
residents:

- Available and alfordable neighborhood
housing

Available housing assistance programs
Homebuyer education

Local and regional ?nancial Institution
resources

0 A comprehensive directory of load
socialvmoe-end non-profit entitles
w?nit assistance relating

-: - "wheat "a?r'sfuchesrbasic

home repairs and maintenance.
Mambonand energy a?icienw.
and landlord-tenant relations

resources and
programs {or the neighborhood such as:
public transpormtion. bike trail system.
community gardens, Project 
KEEP clean up programs. and
Neighborhood Watch

 - Pettigrew Heights Urban Agriculture Brochure

Haw To Get Involved

There are many different ways to
volunteer your time at
Granting Place? garden.

Contact:

Daniel lea
Garden Manger
manta?lsl?yahoomm
(6051 521-9506

Urban Agriculture Task Force



  
 

Garden Mentors empower students
and community residents alike to
grow sustainable guard-Ins in
Pettigrew Heights. These teaching
gardens will dwelt: sell?suI-Iictency
and lasting atiarrsilips.

To learn more abaut becoming a
Garden Mentor, contact:

Amie Hahn
Volunteer 

[605! 335-2234

OUTCOMES

A Gin-wing Place will produce:

0 gaulans as educational Iabaratarias
inspired and cmpawmd students
I functional families

I baring neighbors

I neighborhood beauti?oulian

I desire to serve all-tars

. ill-loadable local food

I healthier food consumption

I economic opportunity

I community unity

neighborhead leaders

hapllul imaginalians ansl :Iraams
rapra-slucibla teaching garsian moslal

  
 
  

Far more inlarmatian about
Urban Agriculture or donating to
Growing Place? please contact:
Tim Olsen
Halal

507.227.5919

OVERVIEW

Urban Agricullure is taking root at lowell
Elementary Malh, Science and Tachnalogy
School In grow hop. in Pettigrew Heights.
Using the garden as an extended
slassraarn. children will graw ta bit better
sluclanls uncl gnarl neighbars.

 

Named by students as
Granting Place" the garden will
translarm families and the neighborhood.
Urban agriculture is not iust abaul
gardening - it's about growing peaple.

 

HEIGHTS
URBAN AGRICULTURE

gratuity ?irt:

 

'Al Lowell M'a'lh, Sci-Inca, Tadm'alogy
School
5 
Sioux 5?]04
{605] 3613313

The Patti rew Heights Urban
Agriculture initiative is a
Ion -term cantmilrnent to gram :1
hope empowering students an
adults to become fully engaged
residents at Pettigrew Heights.

PARTNERSHIPS
A Gmwing Place is a collaborative allorl
with the partners:

I City of Siam: Falls

Lowell Sanctum Schenl and PM

- Mlnnehalia County Extension Service

3 Patligmw Heights Nligllbarl'iaasl Outreach

Sim Falls Community Orgmiters

Summit Hausa

Volunteers in! America, Daliatas and
Am?Cai-ps mam

 




?lly ul
Sinus Falls

Seruinn

llnlunt?nrs [ll
tnarlca. Dakotas 
VISTA

 

73