Mayor Paul TenHaken
Mayor's Office
Mayor's Column
Transformational Development Projects Are Building Momentum in Downtown Sioux Falls
There’s no question that our downtown is full of vibrancy and vitality. Thanks to thoughtful planning by City and community leaders, we’ve seen continued progress over the past two decades in building an attractive downtown for businesses, residents and visitors. Consider these notable public investments made over the past 20 years:
Planning for the Future
The spring weather, the increasing vaccination numbers, the sound of kids running around the neighborhood outside — we’ve certainly turned a corner toward optimism recently. We are positioned well for a strong recovery across our community, from an economic, workforce development and quality of life perspective. In many ways, we are already back to pre-pandemic numbers in terms of unemployment, sales tax revenues, housing demand and more.
How Mentorship Can Transform a City
January is National Mentorship Month and provides an opportune time to reflect on not only the power of mentorship in our community, but also the need for increased mentorship in Sioux Falls. As we remember Martin Luther King Jr. this week, we are reminded of the importance of service and giving back to our community.
2020 Year in Review: A Message from Mayor TenHaken
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, we are moving into 2021 in a position of strength and opportunity. While we have remained focused on current challenges, my administration and our City team have taken key steps this year to ensure our city’s post-pandemic resiliency.
Let’s Find Unity by Helping, Listening to Each Other
The effects of COVID-19 on Americans both nationally and locally have made this an election season unlike any other. No matter your political beliefs, your views on masks, or your cable news channel of choice, it’s been an especially stressful time when so many of us are already mentally and physically fatigued.
Making Historic Progress for Sioux Falls Amid a Pandemic
As we start a new season, I can’t help but reflect on the past several months. Through hard work, resilience and a commitment to service, your team at the City of Sioux Falls has continued to move our community forward despite the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic.
Investing in the Struggling, Providing Hope Through The Link
The need for social justice reform continues to be brought to the forefront in our national conversation and in many communities within recent months. We’re fortunate that Sioux Falls has been proactive in that work for the past several years in many areas, one of them being the development of a community triage center—called The Link—to provide better access to health care and resources for individuals with mental health or addiction issues.
Mayor Paul TenHaken Named Chair of FCC’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee
As part of its new membership, Mayor Paul TenHaken has been named chair of the Federal Communications Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, or IAC, by Chairman Ajit Pai.
Investing in Public Safety, Building our City’s Future
We are fortunate to live in a community with an extensive list of accolades, from our low unemployment rate to Sioux Falls’ excellent cultural and recreational amenities that enhance our quality of life. Sioux Falls is also poised for growth in many areas, including our population.
2021 Mayor's Recommended Budget
The proposed 2021 budget, presented by Mayor Paul TenHaken, Tuesday, July 21, 2020, recognizes the impacts to our community stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor's Recommended 2021-2025 Capital Plan
The 2021-2025 capital program maintains our existing infrastructure while making strategic investments in the future. The priority is the replacement, rehabilitation and expansion of the street and utility infrastructure. Quality of life investments are also planned for our park system and entertainment venues.
Our Path Forward
Across the nation, demonstrations have called for action and reform on a variety of levels, including here in Sioux Falls. On May 31, thousands gathered downtown to peacefully demonstrate, and on June 13 hundreds joined to peacefully protest on Minnesota Avenue.
Summer of New Opportunities
From fall football to spring soccer and winter skiing to summer baseball and softball, the City of Sioux Falls offers a wide-range of activities for all seasons of the year. That’s part of what makes this city so special. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered life in 2020 and our summer will be different this year. But just because it’s different doesn’t mean COVID will cancel our ability to have fun.
Sioux52 Mentoring Initiative
The Sioux 52 Mentoring Initiative seeks to unify Sioux Falls area non-profit, business, and faith communities in order to create a universal, significant and long-lasting commitment to mentoring in our city. The goal is to recruit 5,200 mentors by 2026 and for the City of Sioux Falls to become known as the City of Mentoring.
A Look Back at 2019
It is said that all good things must come to an end. While 2019 may be ending, I am confident the Sioux Falls’ momentum will continue into 2020. Looking back on the past 12 months, there is much the community accomplished.
Strengthening U.S. China Relations
Mayor TenHaken (third from the left) meeting with senior Chinese government officials in Guangzhou, China, as part of the U.S. Heartland China Association delegation.
Mayor TenHaken Testifies Before Senate Subcommittee
Mayor TenHaken participated in a hearing on mobile technology and infrastructure today to share his support of telecommunication infrastructure investments and the City of Sioux Falls’ approach to small cell and 5G towers.
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2020 Budget and Capital ProgramView the Video |
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Events Campus Study Group
The Events Campus Study Group is evaluating the current and future needs of the campus. The group will make recommendations to Mayor TenHaken on ways to enhance the success of the campus and increase its economic impact for the community.
Citizen Boards
The City of Sioux Falls has established a variety of boards and commissions that gives you an opportunity to use your talents to benefit our community. Your service on a board or commission will allow you to provide important input on policies that shape our government and our city.
