Just four days into 2018, Sioux Falls city officials are already predicting another record-breaking year of building.
In fact, more than five multi-million dollar projects are already in the permitting process.
"I will say publicly that in 2018 we will break the record for the sixth straight year," Mayor Mike Huether said.
Even though some economists are predicting a building slowdown in 2018, Mayor Huether seems more confident than ever.
"This confidence level that we have is just intense right now," Huether said.
One of the reasons why? A number of big projects are already in the works, including Avera Health's new campus at 69th and Louise and a couple of multi-million dollar downtown projects, including the development near Falls Park, which will house retail, office space and apartments.
"I think we'll set a record just for downtown development," City Planner Mike Cooper said.
Cooper also points to the city administration building, a new mixed-use parking ramp and the Levitt Shell project, a multi-million dollar stage that will host 50 free concerts every year. He also hopes to announce the first rail yard redevelopment project early this year.
"I think we're going to continue to buck the trends nationwide of malls closing and things like that," Cooper said.
Cooper says he's heard about a number of manufacturing projects and predicts that the housing market will stay strong, but we might see a slowdown in apartment building.
"Talking to the home builders, there's really a strong demand going into this year for single family and townhome construction," Cooper said.
Construction that city leaders say is hot even in these cold temperatures.
"Congratulations Sioux Falls. You did it again, and you're going to do it again this year," Huether said.
Here's a look at the most expensive building projects of 2017.
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