Fence or no fence? Officials, residents discuss

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — At Monday’s public information meeting, city leaders and Sioux Falls residents discussed the proposed lease for a parking lot in central Sioux Falls.

If the city council approves the five-year lease, the City of Sioux Falls would build a fence around the lot. According to Sioux Falls Police, the area, just north of the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, received more than 1,800 police calls in 2024.

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“We hope that having it in place will create a barrier, if you will, where people are not going to go ten feet out of the Bishop Dudley House and just lay on the ground, in this parking lot,” Officer Adam Petersen said.

The proposed fence would cost $70,000 to install — a concern that many brought up at Monday evening’s meeting.

“Everyone up here who has given an answer has deflected to, oh, we have programs. We know that. Give them the money. Don’t put up a fence.”

“I don’t want to drive by fences and barbed wire. That doesn’t speak like a welcoming, friendly environment.”

But some Sioux Falls residents side with the city and believe the fence could improve safety.

“My children are afraid to play in their yard. My youngest daughter doesn’t want to be left home alone with the doors locked because of what’s going on in this neighborhood.”

Bishop Dudley Hospitality House Executive Director Madeline Shields said the lot has become dangerous for Bishop Dudley staff and guests.

“Those folks drag the pallets from Nikki’s and bring them over to that lot. And in an hour, there is a makeshift house that 6 or 7 people have now crawled inside with weapons,” Shields said.

Another Sioux Falls resident argued a fence is not the right approach.

“A fence is only going to make people feel more unwell.”

For now, the lot remains vacant until the council comes to a decision.