The ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity for Sioux Falls will be a ‘whole other downtown,’ the mayor says.

What a way to go for Paul TenHaken.

Our Sioux Falls mayor for the last eight years will leave office by the end of the year, but he couldn’t let his desk get away before announcing one of the most “monumental” changes for the city yet: The Smithfield Foods pork plant is getting out of dodge.

When will the new facility open?

On Feb. 16, Gov. Larry Rhoden and TenHaken welcomed Smithfield Foods CEO Shane Smith to announce that the century-old food processing facility would begin construction on a new plant next year, with plans to open as early as 2028.

Where will the new plant go?

If approved, it is expected to become part of Foundation Park northwest of Interstates 29 and 90.

“This highly automated facility will represent a major investment in Sioux Falls, the State of South Dakota and the future of American agriculture,” Smith said during the announcement. “This investment supports our long-term strategy of continuing to grow and optimize our value-added package meats and fresh pork operations to deliver innovation, convenience and value to our customers.”

What would replace the current facility?

When TenHaken took his turn on the stage Feb. 16 at the Canopy by Hilton in The Steel District, he announced what’s next for the 120 acres on which Smithfield stood, naming it The Sanford District.

After what will be “probably five years” of remediation, TenHaken said possibilities are “endless,” including retail and residential, commercial opportunities and schools. “Maybe a new Whittier, maybe a medical school and recreation,” he said.

“This is going to make Sioux Falls much more attractive,” he said. “…It will be a whole other downtown.”

More: South Dakota state officials announce Smithfield Foods is moving.

Years of “urban planning” will mean a “collaboration between the city, the development foundation, (Downtown Sioux Falls), the parks departments and the community to figure out what the long-term impact looks like.”

How is T. Denny Sanford involved?

And none of it would be possible without Sioux Falls philanthropist and billionaire T. Denny Sanford, who attended the press conference, the mayor said.

TenHaken said Sanford “stepped up” to donate $50 million to the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, which will then partner with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to see the purchase through.

“The gift from Denny basically made it possible for us to purchase that land and have the money we need to remediate the land,” he said.

Most recently, Sanford donated $20 million for a new track and field facility at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

The new fieldhouse will be named for USD alumni Bill and Jill Gassen, called the Gassen Family Fieldhouse. Bill Gassen is president and CEO of Sanford Health.

This $50 million donation is Sanford’s largest monetary gift to the city to date.