Rapid Citian Laura Armstrong: It appears that Rapid City’s Vision Fund is losing the ability to see our future properly
Rapid City’s historic Vision Fund, established in the aftermath of the 1972 flood, has played a pivotal role in Rapid City's development.
The fund’s revenue comes from a sales tax created through a special election to fund the construction of the Barnett Arena. Once the bonds were paid, the revenue from the tax has supported numerous community projects over the past five decades, significantly enhancing the quality of life and city infrastructure.
The fund finances diverse projects ranging from park improvements and infrastructure upgrades to economic development and community facility initiatives. Here are some notable examples:
Park and recreational facility improvements
Enhancements have been made to outdoor spaces, promoting community engagement. Major projects include the Roosevelt Park Pool, the 50-meter pool, and the Horace Mann pool. Funding also built soccer, softball and baseball fields, the BMX track, as well as the recently upgraded Fitzgerald Stadium and Sioux Park Tennis Complex.
The Dinosaur Park ADA upgrade will soon allow families with strollers and/or mobility issues to safely navigate one of our most iconic landmarks.
Cultural and educational initiatives
The fund helped build the Dahl Fine Arts Center, the Journey Museum, and the Performing Arts Center of Rapid City, which are core to supporting the cultural history and arts in our community. The West and South Middle School gyms received upgrades that support school sports and physical well-being.
Economic development projects
The OneHeart Campus provides affordable housing and a fantastic coffee shop. Investments in Main Street Square (its bandstand is seen in the photo above provided by John Tsitrian) have transformed our downtown into a bustling local and tourist destination.
The Vision Fund also funded the air terminal expansion giving an economic boost to making air travel easier and more accessible, and the Mount Rushmore Corridor beautification project provides a welcoming first impression to tourists.
Investments into Elevate Rapid City seek to attract large businesses and they also strive to keep local graduates in Rapid CIty by emphasizing business growth and creating a supportive business community. Their David Lust Accelerator Building (DLAB) provides affordable professional office space, management support and networking opportunities for new start-ups.
Infrastructure upgrades
Noteworthy projects include the replacement of the turf and track at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, the downtown lighting project and the Civic Center Energy Plant and the ongoing City Hall renovation, which enhances accessibility and city operations.
Small quality of life projects
These include a $21,000 flagpole project, $50,000 for Canyon Lake Activity Center’s expanded pickleball courts and an $180,000 skate board park — all of which bolster our local community and visitor experiences.
Ordinance 3.16.090 currently restricts the Vision Fund to capital projects within city limits, excluding ongoing maintenance and operational expenses. However, proposed changes to include these expenses are concerning, as they deviate from the original voter intent and could lead to mismanagement of the funds.
We urge City Hall to explore alternative revenue sources, such as increased building, road, and construction fees, to address our infrastructure and maintenance needs without compromising the Vision Fund. Other potential solutions include raising overlay taxes or increasing BBB fees.
The very essence of the Vision Fund is at risk. It’s crucial that locals pay attention and give feedback, so our Common Councilmembers work towards a sensible compromise to honor the original purpose of the fund. A public input meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 29, at City Hall, and I encourage all taxpayers to attend.
As it stands, any significant changes to the Vision Fund could strip it of its original purpose, reducing it to a mere operational fund. This could deter City Hall’s investment in impactful community projects, potentially leading to the dissolution of the Vision Fund as we all know it.
Laura Armstrong of Rapid City is a speech language pathologist who owns a small private clinic. She served two consecutive terms on the Rapid City Common Council (2017-23) twice as council president, and remains dedicated to the Rapid City community.
