DTSF ‘parklet’ pilot program to be proposed to city council next week

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - If the nicer weather has you eager to get out and socialize, a new concept may be coming to downtown Sioux Falls for you to enjoy.

It’s called a parklet and they’ve gained some popularity in other cities around the country. A parklet is a temporary structure that creates a seating area outside. It would take up about one to two parking spots in front of the business.

“It’s really just another extension off of that business for them to have additional seating and really just be able to be innovative with their business,” said Erickson.

Christine Erickson and Patrick Starr are supporting this program in hopes that it will uniquely promote businesses downtown.

“Everything seems to go back to workforce development. This is a reason that people can enjoy themselves in our city. It’s an amenity that they’re looking for while we help the business owners. But, more importantly, it’s attracting people to Sioux Falls,” said Starr.

Erickson says she initially got the idea after seeing parklets in Kansas City.

“These are a great concept. What we wanted to do is just pilot this. This really came from the business owner that they wanted to have some other way to extend their business, allow people to social distance, and still enjoy a hot cup of coffee and just be outside in our weather,” said Erickson.

The Breaks coffee shop on 12th Street, just on the edge of downtown Sioux Falls, would be the first business to give it a try during a pilot program.

“This business opened less than a year ago and so for them to be able to grow and flourish we want to give them all of the tools that they need truly to be able to enhance their business. This is where we’re at right now is just an extension of the downtown area and so the walk-ability from place to place and some of the other businesses on this street just make sense,” said Erickson.

Erickson said they will be presenting the one-year pilot program to the city council next Tuesday.

If all is approved, you could see a parklet in Sioux Falls by June 1st.