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Reversing Downtown Decline in Centerville, South Dakota
The city used inspections, warnings and fines to push owners to repair or sell, helping fill 14 vacant storefronts with new shops and restaurants.
- Centerville, a town of about 900 people located 40 miles southwest of Sioux Falls, has become a statewide leader in downtown redevelopment by utilizing a vacant building ordinance established in 2017.
- A decade ago, Centerville faced a decline with 14 vacant storefronts, which economic development coordinator Jared Hybertson described as a "detriment to your city" that discouraged potential visitors and business owners.
- Bolstered by about $100,000 in grants and another $100,000 from the development corporation, new downtown additions including a clothing boutique, salon, and historic center have strengthened the local economy and increased sales tax revenues.
- In October 2024, the town of Hurley enacted a similar vacant building ordinance following Centerville's model, though city finance officer Marcy Hillman noted that limited staffing makes enforcing the policy difficult for the 385-person community.
- Paula Jensen, a vice president of Dakota Resources, emphasized that revitalization requires long-range commitment, noting that "it's making a decision to incrementally improve their Main Street" is essential for sustaining small-town growth.
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19 Articles
19 Articles
Associated Press News+14 Reposted by 14 other sources
Reversing downtown decline in Centerville, South Dakota
This small eastern South Dakota town is well known for its deep agricultural roots, its popular Fourth of July celebration and its regionally famous bakery specializing in bi-colored “zebra donuts.”
·United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left6Leaning Right3Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution47% Center
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources are Center
47% Center
L 35%
C 47%
R 18%
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