Plan for development near Sioux Gateway Airport moving forward

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — The Sioux City Council on Monday passed on second reading a plan to free up some streets near the Sioux Gateway Airport.

Council members voted 4-0 on a request to vacate Marquette, Meek, Newell and Niobrara avenues, as well as McArthur Street. The area is located north of Aviation Boulevard and east of Al Haynes Drive.

Midwest Hotels LLC plans to purchase the 14.38 acres for $1.45 million. This would allow the company to redevelop the property. The project includes the construction of a 120-unit hotel, a convenience store and warehouses. The cost is estimated at $20 million.

Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott said it's important that homes in that area are vacated.

“Well, that's a really big concern for me, because there's about 40 homes there, people are going to have to find housing,” Scott said. “[If] you know something about that, the rent is pretty manageable I would say compared to the market rates here. So, yes, it's very concerning to me that these 40 families, thank God we're giving them a year, but it's going to take an adjustment, I think, for these families. The more time we can give them, the better, in my opinion.”

The third reading of the ordinance is expected to take place at next week's meeting, when council members will learn whether the developer has funds available for the project.