As 2021 comes to an end, we look back on some of the highlights in Downtown Sioux City throughout the year. From events to projects and everything in between, Downtown Partners is dedicated to expanding Downtown Sioux City and creating a vibrant place for people to work, play, and stay.
2021 Projects
Downtown Partners is constantly evaluating ways in which we can enhance Downtown Sioux City through projects and beautification. Three major projects executed in 2021 include downtown wayfinding, skywalk signage, and the riverfront development project.
For the last few years, wayfinding has been a project in the works through a partnership with the City of Sioux City and the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. The signs were outdated and in need of a fresh new look that would help identify new developments. After years of research, mapping, designing, and installing, both pedestrian and vehicular wayfinding signage were updated in 2021. In addition to popular attractions and business maps, the wayfinding also lists the time it takes to walk from various destinations, showing the walkability of downtown. If you haven’t checked out our new wayfinding, take a peek next time you’re out in downtown.
In addition to wayfinding, Downtown Partners also revamped signage throughout the skywalks downtown. For safety and security purposes, we color coded the skywalk corridors and numbered all of the entrances at the street level. This makes it easier for patrons using the skywalk to communicate with security or police if they are lost, or in need of assistance, and to navigate to downtown destinations using the system.
Finally, a new spot downtown undergoing major renovations is the riverfront. The Chris Larson Park Riverfront Redevelopment Project has gone through many steps, phases, and input sessions for ground to be broken this year. This multimillion-dollar project is overseen by the City of Sioux City’s Parks and Recreation department and a steering committee comprised of Siouxland citizens. The riverfront project is estimated to be completed in 2023. Downtown Partners is looking forward to all the ways to activate the area and connect it to downtown and its residents, workers, and guests.
2021 Events
Activating downtown with events is nothing new for Downtown Partners. From parades, to music, sports and more – there’s always something to do in Downtown Sioux City.
A new event to the scene in 2021 was Restaurant Week. From launching the event with a prix fixe dinner menu in the spring, to $5 lunch specials in the fall, community foodies raved about this event. With 16 participating restaurants, more than $300 in gift cards and downtown cash was given away, and thousands of participants enjoying delicious downtown food – this event was one for the record books and you can expect to see it again next year.
A fan favorite event downtown for sports fans is a Sioux City Musketeers or Bandits game. In 2021, the Musketeers celebrate 50 years as a franchise. From custom jerseys and Mountain Dew cans to discounted tickets, the Sioux City Musketeers are celebrating the milestone with all sorts of fun. It’s never been a better year to be a Muskie fan. Not to mention the stellar season they followed in 2020, making it to the Western Conference finals. Downtown Partners wants to congratulate the Musketeers for 50 years of hockey in downtown and we look forward to 50+ more!
Finally, we couldn’t talk about 2021 events without mentioning our famous Holiday Lighted Parade. After an unusual year in 2020 switching to a “Drive-By” parade format, the community was ready for our traditional format to make it’s come back. Despite cold temperatures, the community continues to come out year after year for the fun with more than 50 businesses and Siouxland organizations participating. The Holiday Lighted Parade, sponsored by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), local 231, is one of Sioux City’s favorite parades.
In addition to the beloved parade, Downtown Partners added another new event for the holiday season- the Holiday Storefront Decorating Competition. We invited community non-profit organizations to decorate vacant window spaces and encouraged local businesses to decorate their storefronts during the holiday season. The storefronts were then voted on by the community on our website during the holiday season. Thanks to our sponsor RE/MAX Preferred Sioux City, the winning storefront received $500 to donate to a non-profit organization of their choice. With 20 storefronts registered and more than 100 votes on the first night alone, this new event has proven to be a crowd pleaser. An event that the community can engage in and one that we can also give back is a win-win. We look forward to continuing this event and adding new creative events in 2022.
2021 Living
With projects updating downtown and events to keep people entertained, it’s no surprise to see more and more people calling Downtown Sioux City home. In 2021 alone, four new residential living units started leasing, with almost every unit filled by the end of the year. Among those residential spaces were Bluebird Flats, Copper Flats, Virginia 103, and the Warrior Apartments. With residential units that have a mix of historic character, to modern spaces, Downtown Sioux City has something for everyone.
Here’s to 2022
As we reflect on 2021, Downtown Partners is proud of all we accomplished. Looking forward to 2022 we’re excited for the continued growth of Downtown Sioux City. We want to take a moment and thank everyone who has supported Downtown Sioux City, from shopping small, eating local, attending events, or simply engaging with us on social media – thank you. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we can’t wait to take you along for the big things in store for Downtown Sioux City in 2022.
Contributed by Downtown Partners, a non-profit organization that works with downtown stakeholders to create a vibrant, expanding downtown. To learn more about Downtown Partners and to stay up to date on downtown projects and events, visit www.downtownsiouxcity.com.
