With rapid growth in Box Elder, Rapid City, and the surrounding area, it’s no surprise that “smart growth” has become the latest buzz term for nearly every candidate running for office. But don’t let anyone convince you that “smart” growth is some complicated formula requiring consultants, endless studies, and polished jargon to understand.
Sometimes what we really need is common sense.
Unfortunately, when it comes to what I believe is one of the most urgent infrastructure concerns in my district — something I’ve seen with my own eyes — common sense appears to be missing. Somehow, highway-level traffic is being funneled through a 23-foot-wide residential street.
On Diamond Ridge, that’s exactly what residents are experiencing. What was designed and built as a neighborhood road is now carrying traffic volumes it was never intended to handle. It’s so tight, two vehicles can barely pass (with only mere inches between each other) as cars also park on both sides of the road. Some homeowners feel forced to park their own vehicles on sidewalks or even their lawns just to avoid being sideswiped to replace their side mirror for a 2nd or 3rd time.
You don’t need a planning degree to recognize this problem. You can see it standing on the corner.
Last week, I joined Diamond Ridge neighbors wearing safety vests and to hold signs that read, “Drive Safe. Slow Down” simply to raise awareness and promote common sense for neighborhood safety. We are grateful that Rapid City Police and Public Works officials joined us for the demonstration, and since then, police have increased traffic enforcement in the area. Other city officials have also engaged in productive discussions to address concerns and find a solution.
District 35 is one of the fastest-growing areas in South Dakota. New homes continue to rise. Ellsworth Air Force Base’s expansion and the B-21 mission are strengthening our region economically and strategically. That growth is a blessing. It brings jobs, stability, and long-term opportunity.
But let’s not forget common sense:
- Growth means more pressure.
- More rooftops mean more cars.
- More cars mean more safety risks.
- More development means more intersections under strain.
When planning doesn’t keep pace or get ahead of these issues, traffic spills into neighborhoods. Residential streets quietly become cut-through corridors. Turning onto main roads becomes frustrating. Speeds increase. Risk increases. Families feel it before government does.
As a candidate for the State House, I understand that local streets fall under city responsibility. But the state plays a critical role in the larger system. The Legislature determines transportation funding formulas. State highways connect directly to neighborhood feeders. Military expansion requires coordination between municipal leaders, state agencies, and federal partners.
The state’s job isn’t to micromanage city hall. It’s to ensure fast-growing districts like ours aren’t overlooked when infrastructure dollars are allocated. It’s to make sure growth corridors near Ellsworth are planned proactively — not after congestion and safety risks escalate.
Taxpayers are right to be cautious about government spending. No one wants waste. But there is nothing fiscally responsible about ignoring predictable problems until they cost more to fix — or worse, until someone gets killed or hurt.
This is about common sense, or sure, call it “smart growth”. I can live with the buzz words. I can’t live with knowing that kids can’t do normal kid stuff in my district, like ride bikes and scooters, or shoot hoops in the driveway or play catch in their front lawn.
When subdivisions are approved, traffic impacts should be evaluated.
When base expansion increases vehicle flow, road capacity should be reviewed.
When neighborhoods raise safety concerns, they should be made our top priority.
Last week’s demonstration was paired with a letter to the City requesting traffic enforcement and traffic mitigation options, signed by nearly 100 residents on Diamond Ridge. Now we’re preparing a formal request to add barricades at the north end of the street to close the neighborhood off from throughfare traffic. And while this issue is being addressed locally, I am learning from this experience as I contemplate the role of state government and the importance of funding alignment, intergovernmental coordination, and long-term corridor planning so growth doesn’t ever create a situation like this again.
“Smart growth” doesn’t have to be a buzzword.
It can simply mean asking common-sense questions before the strain becomes obvious to everyone standing on the sidewalk.
Diamond Ridge is a reminder that families don’t experience growth in policy documents. They experience it in their driveways.
I welcome growth – but city and state leaders must be responsible (and held accountable) for planning, strong state-local partnerships, and practical foresight – to prevent another neighborhood nightmare scenario like what we’re seeing on Diamond Ridge.
Call it smart growth if you like.
Most folks would just call it common sense.
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