SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Project Prison Reset task force could have two more sites to consider for a possible new men’s prison.
The two new possible sites are in northeastern Sioux Falls and in Box Elder. Those two proposals join possible sites in Mitchell, Worthing or other existing Department of Corrections land.
Sweetman Partners LLP has submitted about 140 acres in two parcels in Sioux Falls for consideration. The parcels are located near where the former Wholestone Farms had built a butcher shop in 2022 and planned a pork processing plant.
Wholestone had said it planned to build its $500 million plant. The processing plant was controversial. A public vote in November 2022 rejected a ban on new processing plants in the city and allows Wholestone to build a processing plant. After the election, Wholestone merged with Prestage Foods of Iowa to form a new company Prestage Wholestone. The butcher shop closed in March of 2023.
Sweetman said in its proposal that it had about 77 acres of land between North Bahnson Avenue and Interstate 229 and about 60 acres located east of North Bahnson Avenue.
Sweetman Partners said in the proposal that it was in the process of developing the property by by subdividing it and building multiple streets.
The city of Box Elder has also submitted about 105 acres two miles off Interstate 90 on Highway 1416. According to its proposal, the land is owned by Gikling Ranch LLC. The land is zoned for agriculture use. It would need a conditional use permit from the county for a prison, according to the proposal. The conditional use permit would be needed until the property is re-zoned.
The two new sites are just the latest in wrinkles for the task force. After a second consultant recommended using the original site between Harrisburg and Canton in Lincoln County, the task force decided on June 3 to focus on other Department of Corrections sites.
The task force also directed JE Dunn to come up with a plan with a cost of no more than $600 million for a 1,500 bed project.
And just recently, Gov. Larry Rhoden agreed to delay a planned July 22 special session. The task force said it would need more time to develop a detailed recommendation.
The task force is scheduled to next meet on July 8 in Sioux Falls.
