With approval from the City Commission this evening, the City of Pierre is selling off some of its underutilized property and picking up some new space near the city-owned cemetery.
According to City Administrator Kristi Honeywell the move allows for the expansion of the cemetery and access to that expansion.
“We have about 50 acres of property north of city limits near Snake Butte that is primarily used for a tower lease,” said Honeywell. “We’re selling that piece of property to Darrell and Deborah Beck; in exchange, they’re giving us $100,000 and about 30 acres located near Riverside Cemetery.”
This land trade further cements the City’s plans for the future of Riverside Cemetery. Recently the City acquired about 50 acres of land north of the cemetery to gain better access to land earmarked for cemetery expansion. These two pieces of land are adjacent.
Riverside Cemetery is owned and maintained by the City of Pierre. Active since the late 1800s, the original 35 acres is the final resting place for more than 5,700 people. Each year, an average of 70 additional burial sites are occupied. The expansion area can provide more than 12,000 additional burial plots.