Hill City Prevailer

Council shoots down BID project bid

Published by admin on Thu, 03/11/2021 - 9:34am

By a 0-3 vote, the Hill City Common Council shot down a low bid of  $1.117 million to renovate the Hill City Senior Center and add public restrooms to the building.

The project was one of two projects proposed by the Hill City Business Improvement District Board (BID Board); however, at its meeting last month the BID Board balked at that price and wanted to focus on parking spots and alleyway maintenance behind the senior center (the first BID project) as well as a separate restroom project.

Where to park large vehicles in Keystone?

Published by admin on Thu, 03/11/2021 - 9:34am

A discussion on where to park busses and recreational vehicles (RVs) during the summer tourist season took place at Keystone’s most recent town board meeting.

“Unfortunately in the town of Keystone oversized vehicles in general, I really don't know where to park them. The only spot I really have right now is on Roy Street….My recommendation is we don't take away from employee parking because that’s full. We really can't take away from Swanzey Street,” said Pennington County Sheriff’s Office deputy Chris Plawman.

Fire mitigation hot topic in Keystone

Published by admin on Thu, 03/11/2021 - 9:33am

A roundtable discussion concerning fire mitigation took place in Keystone  March 2. Representatives from private industry, the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota Wildland Fire, Pennington County and local fire departments and agencies outlined treatments currently taking place and future potential projects.

The meeting was an early conversation that will eventually include landowners and policymakers.

Building permit fees may increase

Published by admin on Thu, 03/11/2021 - 9:33am

Building permit fees are being reviewed in Hill City.

Last week, there was an error in reporting in a story regarding building permits. The cost per square foot is not going up; rather, the cost for the building permit itself could be potentially going up.

Large parcel being developed

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 10:52am

A large tract of land on Hwy. 16A is being developed for retail and residential use.

The parcel includes 20 acres in Keystone city limits and approximately 23 acres outside the city’s limits.

Developer Cody Schad, of Schad Corporation, is hoping the property outside the city will one day get annexed.

The process would involve petitioning the town board to include the property into its boundaries.

Adult reading contest under way

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 10:52am

“May the Luck of the Irish be always at hand/And good friends always near you/May each and every coming day/Bring some special joy to cheer you,” “Book of Irish Blessings.”

The Adult Reading Contest is on its way, but there is still time to register and participate.

For every 150 pages that are read a registered can put their name in for the weekly prize drawing. The contest ends March 29 at 10 a.m.

Keystone gets bridge grant

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 10:52am

Keystone was awarded one of two bridge improvement grants (BIG) for which it applied.

The grant was awarded in the amount of $349, 200 to replace the T design bridge on Roy Street. The estimate for the entire project is $436,430.

The box culvert design bridge was “ not eligible” according to BIG grant recommendations.

More coverage for responders

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 10:51am

The current legislative session will possibly mean new communications towers for Keystone, Hill City and Rockerville.

House Bill 1265 allocates  $2,400,000 to “expand coverage of the state radio system in the Black Hills by adding additional state radio tower sites and the necessary equipment and antenna systems for the radio towers to be operational.”

The need for such equipment became evident prior to then-president Donald Trump’s visit to Mount Rushmore last summer.

Commercial building fee could increase

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 10:51am

The cost of building in Hill City could potentially be going up.

The Hill City Planning and Zoning Commission decided Monday that the cost for a commercial building permit will be $200 per square foot. It was $72. This was a discussion item, and no vote was held.

“At the last planning and zoning meeting, the commission decided to go with $114 per square foot for residential,” said Dani Schade, development service coordinator. “You also wanted to increase commercial.”

Community center updates approved

Published by admin on Thu, 02/25/2021 - 10:08am

Updates to the Keystone Town Gym were approved at the most recent Keystone Town Board meeting.

The town approved a bid from Black Hills Flooring to install new carpet on the gym floor. The town will paint the walls of the gym a new color prior to the carpet installation.

The carpet was chosen over a possible switch to sound panels due to the durability of the surface to take dings from tossed balls. The $14,956 bid will be adjusted since the town is opting out of a carpet pad.