Major new apartment complex planned for Watertown’s north side

February 16, 2021
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–Plans are in the works for a large apartment building complex on Watertown’s north side.

The City Council tonight will consider creating a development subsidy known as a Tax Increment Financing District for property located at the northwest corner of Highway 81 and 16th Avenue Northeast.

That’s where a developer known as The Plains Apartments LLC plans a $20 million project that will include three apartment buildings consisting of 72 apartment units in each building, or 216 units in total.

The proposed construction site is currently vacant after a residential home was moved off the property in 2018.

A city document says the project will, “promote economic development and affordable workforce housing to create jobs, assist with filling employment vacancies for employers, and create and rehabilitate new infrastructure and site improvements.”

Also at tonight’s meeting, the council will consider a special event liquor license for a rock concert at the former Shopko building, now known as Crossings Plaza, which is scheduled for this Saturday night. And prior to the council meeting, the Public Works, Finance and Safety Committee will hear a discussion from Watertown police on the use of “smoke shacks” in the city. 

The meetings were moved back one day from their regularly scheduled date due to the President’s Day holiday.