Siouxland Magazine - Volume 3 Issue 2

Siouxland Magazine | Converse / 20
Positivity Can Strengthen Our Community
By Alex Watters
Last month, staff with the state of Iowa’s
Department of Cultural Affairs was in town
shooting a video to showcase the newly
renovated Warrior Hotel. They asked a group of
city staff, community members, and two members of
the City Council to gather virtually and present on the
progress being made in our community. I welcomed
the opportunity to present on behalf of the City Council.
In doing so, I was so inspired and excited about the
progress our city had made in 2020, even in the midst
of a pandemic.
For the majority of the year, I was focused on loss and
sacrifice; however, for this brief presentation, I was
inspired by what we had accomplished and once again
looking forward to our future. In this magazine, you’re
going to read about strength, so I want to share some
of those accomplishments in hopes that they inspire
you to think of what is on the horizon and how you can
be a champion of our community’s strength.
Companies expanded and invested in Siouxland.
Sabre Industries announced its plans for a $25
million expansion to include a galvanizing plant and
76 additional jobs. Standard Ready Mix built a new
concrete plant for $7.6 million. CNOS opened a new
Sunnybrook location, and Meridian Clinical Research
relocated and expanded operations into Sioux City.
We saw the opening of multiple hotel projects including
the Warrior Hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott connected
to the newly renovated convention center, and most
recently, the Avid Hotel in Virginia Square. Numerous
apartment complexes have started construction, are
under contract, or recently opened, in addition to a
record number of homes being constructed.
Phase 1 of the riverfront redevelopment began, the
Expo Center opened, eight pickleball courts were
added to Riverside Park, and multiple trails were
constructed or connected to ensure you will be able to
stay active in 2021 and beyond.
In addition, Sioux City Gateway Airport secured a
direct flight to Denver, I-29 WAS FINISHED, and the
city completed an $11 million renewable fuels project
that compresses gas into a renewable fuel that is set to
generate approximately $5 million for the city annually.
I understand that there are certain things that we need
to improve and continue to work on, but I’ve noticed
that we as a community don’t talk about our successes
nearly much as our shortcomings. Whether it is the
journal or social media, it seems that when it comes
to our community, we are often the most critical of
ourselves.
For example, I have heard the common claim that all
we are building is hotels and car washes. However,
when you look at it from a different perspective, the city
does little, if anything, to recruit these businesses. Did
you know that Silverstar Car Wash has invested more
than $5 million throughout our community at their new
locations? Our hotels are nearly at capacity for the
weekend of February 20, when the Expo Center will
host a 150-team volleyball tournament with The Arena
Sports Academy, who will also be hosting a basketball
tournament at their own facility.
My point is this, if we want to continue experiencing
growth, investment, and be the community that we
hope to be, we need to start being a cheerleader and
a positive voice for our community. If something is
bothering you, please shoot me an email and allow me
an opportunity to look into it. And the next time you’re
feeling critical or negative about our city, and this goes
for me as well, I hope we can reflect on all we have
accomplished in 2020, a year of unforeseen challenges
and innovation.
Alex Watters, City Council of Sioux City
awatters@sioux-city.org
Photo Credit Jeff Gordon