SIOUX CITY — The Sioux City Council awarded a $96,787.50 contract Monday for repairs to the Sergeant Floyd Monument.
The contractor, Omaha-based McGill Restoration, Inc., will perform restoration work on the obelisk’s stonework and masonry joints, and repair cracks. McGill’s bid was the lowest of four received.
Before the vote, Councilwoman Julie Schoenherr said a citizen expressed concerns to her about power washing potentially causing damage to the monument. She asked if the monument would be power washed or pressure washed.
Sioux City Parks Superintendent Kelly Bach told Schoenherr that power washing wouldn’t go over 400 PSI (pounds per square inch).
“The difference between power washing and pressure washing is the PSI. Four hundred is about max when you do the power wash,” said Bach, who said a home pressure washer could operate at 1800 PSI.
Three years ago, the Sioux City Parks Department reported that the 125-year-old landmark was spalling (flaking away) in places.
The last significant restoration work to the 100-foot-high obelisk was in 1997-’98. The work currently under consideration is “necessary to preserve the Sgt. Floyd Monument for another twenty-five years,” according to city documents.
Interim city manager
The council, also by approving its consent agenda, green-lighted the formal appointment of Interim City Manager Mike Collett until at least next spring.
There was no discussion on the item before the vote.
Craig Clark, who was offered the job last month after being interviewed by the Council, ultimately declined the city’s offer. Former City Manager Bob Padmore retired in April, and Collett has been serving in the role since that time.
“The City has been recruiting for a City Manager and extended an offer of employment but was not successful in negotiating terms,” city documents stated. “Since there will be three new council members this upcoming election, the City would like to halt its recruitment efforts until after the FY 2027 budget cycle which concludes in April of 2026. Mr. Collett has agreed to serve as Interim City Manager until such time.”
Collett’s biweekly wages have been set at $9,230.76.
Former Crescent Park school
The council also green-lighted development and minimum assessment agreements with developers who plan to rehabilitate the former Crescent Park Elementary School into apartments.
In 2024, BNC, LLC, a real estate development entity owned by Bart and Nathan Connelly, purchased the former elementary school at 1114 W. 27th Street with the intent of redeveloping the property into a multi-family residential development. The project will include 36 market-rate apartments, including studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments.
The vote was 4 to 0, with Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore abstaining due to a conflict of interest.
BNC, LLC plans to invest over $6 million into the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, according to city documents.
“To assist with the redevelopment of the property, City staff has finalized a Development Agreement and Minimum Assessment Agreement with BNC, LLC. The proposed agreements would provide property tax rebates to help keep rents at an affordable level for tenants,” city documents stated.
Under the terms of the agreements, BNC, LLC will commit to investing $6 million to renovate the former school into 36 market-rate apartments, complete the redevelopment of the property no later than Dec. 31, 2027, and enter into a minimum assessment agreement of $2.8 million beginning Jan. 1, 2028, and continuing for a period of ten years.
The city, in turn, will provide 60% property tax rebates on the new incremental taxes created by the value added to the property for a period of 10 years. Total assistance is estimated at $335,000, according to the documents.
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Dolly A. Butz
City Government & Features Reporter
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