Tre Ministries plans next steps after clearing redevelopment site along Minnesota Avenue

A vacant city block in central Sioux Falls is slated to see the initial construction of housing this year, though a final plan hasn’t been determined for the whole property.

The faith-based nonprofit Tre Ministries demolished multiple residential and commercial properties from 18th to 19th streets between Minnesota and Dakota avenues late last year and early this year.

Tre Ministries was founded in 2018 in the former Tre Lounge at 33rd Street and Spring Avenue and the following year moved to 900 W. 11th St. Founder Sandy Bergen estimates that thousands of young adults are served there every month.

“It’s word of mouth, mostly,” she said. “We have different programming every night.”

That can include everything from help with processing grief and learning how to change a tire to what to know about buying a house and what options exist for churches in Sioux Falls.

“It doesn’t matter what your past is. What matters is where you’re headed, and we’re just here to support that,” Berven said.

A desire to offer more all-encompassing support helped drive the concept for offering apartments to young people participating in the organization’s Christian leadership program.

That’s the concept for part of the development, which is slated to include 36 apartments, with a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom units. Residents would move in for a year — the same time it takes to complete the leadership program. That program includes hearing from leaders in the community, with personal development through mentorship and community service.

“From what I’ve seen, young adults sometimes need to remove themselves from their environment, from their social setting,” Berven said. “This is a great opportunity to take the steps to find a new peer group, find (their) path, find (their) weaknesses and figure out how to actually move forward.”

The apartment community has been named 18:19 — a nod both to the streets that border it but mostly to Psalm 18:19, which varies according to the translation but talks about how “He brought me out to a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”

It spoke to Berven because the hope for the community is that “people feel rescued. They feel that hope and connection.”

The development concept still is being finalized. When it was presented to City Hall a year ago, it included a mixed-use concept with residential above and Tre Ministries among the lower-level occupants, along with opportunity for other commercial tenants.

A final determination for the overall site design hasn’t been made and will depend in part on financing.

The site demolition was funded with support from the city of Sioux Falls. The city has a $500,000 deferred loan at zero interest available to Tre Ministries that allowed the site to be prepped for construction.

“Removing those dilapidated houses along the Dakota side was helpful to the neighborhood as a safety concern,” said Logan Penfield, the city’s housing development manager. “We wanted to push up the demolition … and not wait the winter while they finalize their building plans.”

The remaining development will depend largely on donations.

“We’re bringing together the same people that came together that had a vision for the whole program,” Berven said. “We’ve had great people that have stepped up for that and understand what we’re trying to build.”

The Broin family is among them. Tammie Broin met Berven through POET, the family’s company, and was struck by her vision for Tre Ministries.

“We see a need for young adults,” she said. “My kids went to a Christian event in high school and found a lot of friends and connected to a lot of people.”

Her daughter Miranda also is involved helping Tre Ministries with communications support. At 29, she sees a need for something like it among her peers.

“There are a lot of resources living at home and if you go the traditional college route, but if you don’t use that path, you’re an adult for the first time and looking for resources,” she said, adding that it also can be hard for people in their 20s to find friends, especially if they’re not from Sioux Falls.

“You realize you don’t really know what you’re doing and you have to figure it out.”

On a recent Monday morning, a handful of young adults already had found their way to the current Tre Ministries building. The space clearly has multiple uses — there’s room for studying and socializing, private areas for closed-door meetings and a large space that can be used for speakers or performances, plus snacks, games and plenty of coffee.

At about 6,500 square feet, it wouldn’t change much in size with a new space, but it would be a layout more conducive to the organization’s programming.

“There’s a misunderstanding for some that they can only come in if they’re strong in their faith, and it’s not true,” Tammie Broin added. “The doors are open for everybody.”

The commonality is longing for a sense of community, Berven added.

“They’re in that spot. ‘My friends are getting married and I’m not,’ or ‘I got married and have children and none of my friends do.’ Or ‘I have a different career path or life choice,’ or ‘I’m tired of going to bars and finding things that don’t make me a healthier person.’ And they walk in the door and find community.”

The hope is to break ground this summer. Details about the site layout and a broader fundraising effort are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

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