How to support new housing developments in Flandreau — and what’s most needed — has once again taken center stage for the local development group and the city council.
City Administrator Cohl Turnquist shared the final results of a fall survey aimed at residents, area families, and commuters. The goal? To get a better sense of what people want in housing, what they’re willing to support, and what they’d pay for adequate single-family dwellings.
Out of 152 responses, one statistic stood out, Turnquist told City Councilors this past week during their regularly scheduled meeting: 45% of participants said they couldn’t find adequate housing in Flandreau for themselves or their families.
“This reaffirms what we’ve long known, but until now, it was mostly anecdotal,” Turnquist explained.
The results have sparked renewed energy for discussions with developers about a potential project on Flandreau Housing Authority-owned land along Broad Street. The survey also showed strong interest in apartment complexes, particularly from business leaders.
“Our workers need somewhere to live,” Turnquist said.

Still, there’s a steep hill to climb. For more than a decade, efforts to bring new housing to Flandreau have stalled due to the high cost of construction and concerns that renters won’t pay the amounts needed to make projects sustainable.
Developers have been wary of investing in smaller, rural communities where there’s uncertainty about whether they’ll see a return on their investment.
Despite these challenges, Turnquist noted one promising takeaway from the survey: respondents seem willing to pay rents comparable to those needed to offset construction costs.
That’s a good sign, he and others agreed, for developers and for the community.
Mayor Dan Sutton is optimistic about what a new housing development could mean for Flandreau. “It (new rentals) could free up single-family homes for people to purchase, while also offering a place for commuters or those not ready to buy a home. It’s a win-win.”
Also heard at the most recent meeting of the Flandreau City Council:
● Updates were shared on the first Ambulance Task Force meeting, with a February 28 deadline looming. See related story for more information.
● The old fire station was appraised at $280,000, with its future tied to the city’s decision on the ambulance service.
● New police officer Zachary Deal was introduced.
● A newly formed Rec Center group is exploring downtown spaces for an indoor athletic facility focused on youth sports. More updates are expected at an upcoming council meeting.