Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. in partnership with the City of Sioux Falls, will launch a month-long traffic calming pilot along 10th Street – the pilot will explore how thoughtful street design can create a safer, more welcoming, and more vibrant downtown experience.

The project will introduce planters and reflective delineators to temporarily reconfigure the street and evaluate impacts on traffic flow and safety. These elements will occupy street parking spaces on both the north and south sides of 10th Street, from S 2nd Avenue (at the viaduct exit) to Mall Avenue.

To enhance the experience, the City will place picnic tables on the green space next to the mural, creating a welcoming area for visitors to sit and enjoy offerings from nearby food trucks. Vendors will be onsite during lunch hours (11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.), with select evening activations from 4 – 6:30 p.m.

Additional programming will include family-friendly art activations led by the City’s Arts Coordinator near the Great Outdoor Store, helping transform the corridor into an inviting, creative environment. The pilot also highlights the convenience of nearby public parking, including ramps such as the Mall Avenue Ramp and First Avenue Ramp, making it easy to stop, eat, shop, and explore downtown.

“This project is about more than traffic – it’s about shaping the future of how people experience downtown,” said Brandon Hanson, CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. “By testing traffic calming strategies on 10th Street, we’re helping inform the long-term design and reconstruction of the viaducts while advancing the vision of complete streets. We want downtown to be a destination, not a pass-through. We welcome visitors to slow down, pause, park, and truly engage with everything our community has to offer.”

Vehicle speed and volume will be measured before, during, and after the traffic calming pilot project to evaluate the effectiveness in calming traffic. Community members are encouraged to visit throughout July, support local vendors, and experience firsthand how small changes can make a big difference in how downtown feels and functions.