RAPID CITY (AP) - The leaders of a group challenging the construction of a $180 million arena in western South Dakota say they've gathered enough petitions to put the issue before voters.
The Civic Center Vote Committee tells KOTA-TV that petition organizers have collected 2,700 signatures that they intend to hand in to the city's finance office on Monday. The finance officer must validate 2,061 signatures to bring the issue to a vote.
Rapid City council members have voted in favor of the project. Local sales tax money would repay the $180 million the city is seeking in bonds for the arena.
Proponents and opponents of the project make of the committee. Member Don Frankenfeld says given the project's magnitude, "it's only right" that residents get an opportunity to participate in the decision.
