Lincoln Co. residents concerned about the prison’s effect on the housing market and safety

SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) – The new men’s prison has caused a lot of confusion among Lincoln County residents.

A Lincoln County resident is talking about how the expected jail is causing confusion for her and her neighbors in the real estate market.

The jail is expected to be built west of 477th Avenue in Lincoln County. The project is not expected to be completed until 2029, but that hasn’t stopped residents from voicing their concerns in 2024, fearing for the safety of their families and even the market value of their homes.

“This is the only thing my father left me, and he loved our country so much,” said Lincoln County resident Mary Geraets.

Geraets is an English teacher at Harrisburg High School. Although she doesn’t want to sell her father’s house, like 23 of her neighbors, she has thought about it.

“Our land was originally valued at around $600,000, and now some real estate agents say it could only fetch $300,000 to $350,000,” Geraets said.

Local real estate agent Tony Ratchford told Dakota News. Therefore, it is often best to have some patience with projects developing near your home.

“You better have clarity about what’s really there before you panic and start selling properties where you don’t know what the impact will be,” Ratchford said.

Ratchford also noted that a 50% drop is hard to imagine and that properties with land development projects typically don’t drop more than 5 to 10%.

However, it is the uncertainty that causes the hesitation. Final costs and plans are expected to be presented at the November Appropriations Committee meeting, but costs have nearly doubled over the year.

The design phase of the correctional facility is expected to be fully completed by January 2025.

For about half a decade, it will be a balancing act for Lincoln residents deciding whether or not to sell their homes.

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