Historic Sioux Falls home saved from demolition in 1980s spared by City Hall again

A 138-year-old home with deep roots in Sioux Falls history is in the Tomar Park neighborhood being targeted for demolition in the coming years.

But officials with City Hall say they're committed to preserving the two-story home at 208 W. Lotta Street known as the Schaetzel-Lyon House.

After the most recent spring flooding along Rose and Lotta Streets just east of Minnesota Avenue near the Big Sioux River, Mayor Paul TenHaken's administrative team devised a plan to start a voluntary-purchase program to buy flood-stricken properties there. 

In all, 55 properties are being targeted to become eventual green space, aimed at alleviating costly damages that come with both river flooding, and drainage and runoff issues during heavy rainfalls.

In most cases, the homes would be demolished after the city and the property owners come to voluntary terms. But T.J. Nelson, deputy chief of staff in the mayor's office, said the 208 W. Lotta Street home would be an exception.

"We're committed to working with the current owner or a future owner to relocate that home to another spot," he said.

It wouldn't be the first time the house was spared from government-sponsored demolition.

Home used to belong to Sioux Falls' first mayor

According to county records, the house has twice been relocated in its 138 years of existence.

Built in 1881, its original owner was Jacob Schaetzel, the first mayor of the city of Sioux Falls, and was located where the Washington Pavilion, formerly Washington High School, stands today. 

By 1904, the house had become property of William H. Lyon and moved to 746 South Phillips Avenue ahead of the construction of Washington High School in 1908. It sat there until the city took ownership of it in the 1980s.

"The city at that time actually wanted to demolish it, but the citizens spoke up and it was moved to this area in 1988," Nelson said referring to its current location.

The Schaetzel-Lyon House was registered as a historic place on the state registry in 1994.

Being able to spare the Schaetzel-Lyon House from demolition not once, but twice, speaks to the community's commitment to historical preservation, said Lura Roti, an owner of a historical Sioux Falls home and a member of the Sioux Falls Board of Historic Preservation.

"Historic properties throughout Sioux Falls do a great job telling our city's history and ... having it preserved more than once says a lot about the character of the people of Sioux Falls and the fact that historical preservation matters to them," Roti said.

Properties most devastated by the recent flooding are in the north-most area of the Rose-Lotta neighborhood within a few dozen feet of the Big Sioux River. But the historic house is in the southern stretch of the targeted area, which means the city has more time to find a new location for it, Nelson said.

Whether the current owners wants to continue living in the home or finding a new owner at a different location, Nelson said the city would study its options for aiding in the process. That could be by offsetting some moving costs associated with relocation — whether its waiving fees for street closures or contributing to the bill.

"The bottom line is we're committed to preserving that structure, and at the right point in time we'll help coordinate a new location for it in Sioux Falls," Nelson said.

More:Flood money for Tomar Park neighborhood gets first OK from City Council