Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) Way back in 1994 when the just announced downtown rail yard deal was little more than a dream, current PUC Commissioner Gary Hanson was mayor of Sioux Falls.
He's delighted that the city was finally able to make the deal happen. Hanson says each mayor only is able to accomplish what they can based upon what was done by previous administrations. He credits all the great people who work for the city for getting this done, including current mayor Mike Huether.
The city will buy 10 acres of prime downtown rail yard land from BNSF Railroad for $27.3 million in federal highway dollars.
Hanson says there is still a big challenge because the federal highway money was 'authorized' but can't be spent until it is 'appropriated' by Congress.