VISION
The Opportunity Capital of the Midwest—where thriving neighborhoods power growth.
Sioux Falls is a city built on opportunity. People come here for strong neighborhoods, safe streets, beautiful parks, and a place to call home. But rising costs and growing demands on city services mean we’re at a crossroads.
I bring the experience to move us forward—years leading Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., and a background in urban planning. I know leadership. I know cities. I know my hometown—Sioux Falls.
If we truly want to be the Opportunity Capital of the Midwest, it starts with our neighborhoods—neighborhoods that are safe, affordable, and full of opportunity.
It takes discipline in how we grow, using smart growth. And it takes leadership committed to serving residents—not just reacting to challenges, but getting ahead of them.
Business as usual won’t get us there. If we’re not careful, we risk becoming an unmanageable city—stretched thin, less affordable, and caught in a cycle of reacting to problems.
We have a choice.
We can accept that future—or we can choose a better path:
- to strengthen neighborhoods…
- to choose innovation over inaction…
- and to pursue growth with purpose, not by chance.
Together, we can build a city where we are more connected, protected, and respected—a Sioux Falls that works for everyone.
Let’s invest in our future.
Let’s build the Opportunity Capital of the Midwest—where thriving neighborhoods power growth.
JOE KNOWS
Affordability
The cost of living has become untenable for many Sioux Falls families. My administration will concentrate on the following approaches to address the issue:
Increase Housing Supply by legalizing missing middle housing, deregulation, community financing, streamlined approvals, and home builder support services.
Address Childcare Needs by convening an advisory council to guide the implementation of the Community Childcare Initiative Report, and by lobbying the State of South Dakota to match funding to support childcare.
Make Transit a Convenient Mobility Option with high frequency routes on major streets. Make experience and performance upgrades proven to work elsewhere.
Launch a
Food Desert Reduction Task Force to increase food access in northwest Sioux Falls.
Safety
Public safety has long been a competitive advantage for Sioux Falls. As mayor, I will champion approaches to optimize emergency services and enhance crime prevention.
Launch a Safe Streets Task Force to reduce speeding and vehicle thefts (a leading indicator of violent crime) by evaluating best practices and recommending policies and design solutions.
Enhance Police Operations by automating administrative tasks and hiring additional supporting staff.
Reduce Recidivism by lobbying the State of South Dakota to invest in re-entry programs for the formerly incarcerated.
Streamline Code Enforcement operations for an easy-to-navigate experience for citizens and businesses.
Conduct a Metro Ambulance Study to determine the feasibility of a regional service.
Smart Growth
Sioux Falls needs to grow in a well-balanced, financially responsible way to ensure we have a manageable city. I'll make our growth is anchored with a shared vision and driven by smart growth.
Facilitate Neighborhood Planning to define the vision for neighborhoods, preserve their character and guide future development.
Lead Comprehensive Regional Planning to coordinate efforts on metro issues—growth, open space, safety, and transportation.
Launch the Neighborhood Empowerment Studio—a multi-disciplinary team charged with engaging citizens to address issues.
Revitalize Aging Corridors with transit-oriented development, landscaping and pedestrian amenities.
Enhance Green Space & Water Quality with neighborhood trails, pocket parks, trees, buffer strips, rain gardens and wetlands.