The Levitt Shell in downtown Sioux Falls set for expansion starting in 2025

Vanessa Carlson Bender, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Updated ·3 min read
Rendering of upcoming expansion at the Levitt at the Falls in 2025.
Rendering of upcoming expansion at the Levitt at the Falls in 2025.

The Levitt at the Falls on Phillips Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls will be expanding, thanks to generous donations from philanthropists Dick and Kathy Sweetman, as well as First PREMIER Bank and The Friends of Levitt Shell Sioux Falls, the nonprofit managing all Levitt Shell programming.

Construction for this project is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2025 and is estimated to be complete by the spring of 2026, according to Friday’s press release. Levitt President and CEO Nancy Halverson said summer concert attendance at the Levitt at the Falls has become increasingly popular since its first season in 2019.

More: 2024 Levitt at the Falls summer concert lineup includes Terrance Simien, The War and Treaty

“With that enthusiasm has come a demand for more concerts, festivals, events and educational programming at the venue,” Halverson said. “To meet this growing interest, we are expanding the venue to include a community space for year-round programming, an expansion of our greenroom, offices for staff and storage for lighting and sound.”

The Sweetmans' generous gift will be allocated through their established fund at the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.

Sioux Falls philanthropists Dick and Kathy Sweetman made a generous donation to expand the Levitt at the Falls.
Sioux Falls philanthropists Dick and Kathy Sweetman made a generous donation to expand the Levitt at the Falls.

“Thanks to this very generous lead gift by Kathy and Dick Sweetman, Levitt at the Falls is poised to continue a legacy of building our community through music,” Halverson said.

Halverson said the Levitt is also currently seeking an additional $1 million to complete the $5 million project.

“We would welcome gifts of any size to help make this dream a reality,” Halverson said.

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The Levitt expansion will make an inviting and appealing entrance to another monumental addition in the downtown Falls Park neighborhood - Jacobsen Plaza.

The grassy area southwest of the band shell will comprise of a 2,600-square-foot space for Levitt summer camps and professional development for artists.

Rendering of the finished expansion at the Levitt at the Falls.
Rendering of the finished expansion at the Levitt at the Falls.

The Levitt will be able to provide year-round activities once staff offices are constructed west of the shell.

Sound and lighting will have its own space to manage live shows and store equipment in this area. With this, artists will then have the entire Levitt stage to perform on. Levitt staff will also be able to store other equipment in the ground-level storage space east of the shell.

The expansion will also allow for accommodations for artists including a backstage ramp, additional restroom, larger dressing room and even more space for performers to prep for shows.

“We are thrilled to champion the expansion of the Levitt, a cornerstone of our downtown’s vitality,” the Sweetmans stated. “The Levitt’s mission not only enriches the cultural landscape of Sioux Falls but also invigorates the heart of our community. We are honored to be a part of their journey and to collaborate with such an inspiring organization. Contributing to their vision is more than an investment, it’s a celebration of our remarkable community.”

Naming opportunities will be available with this project, Halverson said. To learn more, email nhalverson@levittsiouxfalls.org.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the dollar amount of the Sweetmans' donation to the Levitt at the Falls. The story has been updated to reflect this change.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: What we know about the Levitt Shell's upcoming 2025 expansion