OPINION

Our Voice: Work on Sixth Ave. properties is encouraging

Staff reports
Aberdeen News

Many of us have been crossing our fingers for something — anything — to happen with at least two Sixth Avenue Southeast properties that used to house businesses that ultimately closed.

The Ramada Aberdeen Hotel and Conference Center, 2727 Sixth Ave. S.E., closed in October 2015. It took a restaurant, Bully's Chophouse, and a bar, Tapz, along with it.

A building a few blocks west, at 2402 Sixth Ave. S.E., has been empty since a handwritten note reading "closed" was taped to the former IHOP restaurant's front door on April 1, 2014. (It wasn't an April Fool's Day joke.)

Both buildings have now been demolished.

In the case of the former IHOP building, we know what to expect. A new 6,500-square-foot building will be leased by the current owners to AutoZone.

Yes, another auto parts store — but not another empty building.

The Ramada property is a different story. Short of two years since it closed, the property was sold with the transaction finalized July 26. A property transfer showed the price was $1.5 million, with the adjacent east lot fetching another $325,000.

A building permit was issued the same day for interior demolition. That permit was altered just days later to include razing the building.

Perhaps more damage or other problems were discovered during that initial interior demolition that led to the entire building being knocked down. That's just a guess.

Trying to predict what might replace the Ramada would also be a guess as the new owners aren't talking.

That leads to speculation, especially since the Ramada's departure led to questions about the city's ability to host larger events such as the State B boys' basketball tournament each March. Officials with the South Dakota High School Activities Association, though, haven't seemed overly concerned that Aberdeen may not have enough hotel rooms for the event. SDHSAA selects state tournament sites.

What we do know, however, is that the buyer — Teton Development LLC, whose registered agent through the state is Lamont Cos. — is well established and certainly has a plan.

For years now, the empty buildings have acted as prominent reminders of what once was.

Now, we are hopeful that the properties can once again generate revenue and act as businesses that contribute to our community in positive ways. They'll bring jobs during and after construction, and eventually add options for consumers.

We're eager to learn what those options will be, and we hope we won't have to wait too long.

Sixth Avenue is important to our business community and overall economic health. It's great to see change at those empty spots.

— American News Editorial Board

Crews work to clean up the remains of the former Ramada Inn on Sixth Avenue Southeast in Aberdeen on Tuesday. American News Photo by Elizabeth Varin
The building that used to house IHOP has been demolished on Sixth Avenue Southeast and South Roosevelt Street in Aberdeen. American News Photo by Elizabeth Varin
The former IHOP building sits empty at the corner of Sixth Avenue Southeast and South Roosevelt. American News Photo by John Davis
Construction equipment drives by the demolished shell of the former Ramada Inn. American News Photo by Elizabeth Varin