SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- By the end of fall 2026, the Levitt area in downtown Sioux Falls could have a different look. The outdoor stage will be there but the plan is to formalize a second stage behind that as well as a multiple-purpose room for Levitt-related activities such as camps. Another addition would be a stage storage area. It's a $4.5 million privately funded plan for a 7,000-square-foot building that includes an atrium look for offices and a multi-purpose room. Former Sioux Falls Apple Tree child care center sells "We knew that the city was investing in all of the Falls Park District," Nancy Halverson, the executive director of Levitt and the Falls, said. The plan for addition at Levitt is "to make it beautiful...a stunning entrance" to the Falls Park District, she said on Wednesday. The proposed Sweetman Atrium at Levitt at the Falls. City of Sioux Falls graphic Don Kearney, the city's parks and recreation director, said at Tuesday's city council meeting the project is different from others in the city. "The key thing to this project is, which doesn't happen often, but in this case it does, 100% of the funding would be provided by the Levitt," Kearney said. About $2.25 million will be for the Sweetman Atrium, another $200,000 would be for the Lust Family Second Stage. The multi-purpose program room would be the Dakota State University room with a value of $500,000. Any remaining balance would be paid by the Levitt, Kearney said. The Levitt is in a $5 million campaign for improvements, Halverson said. The city will take bids on a $4.5 million project. If a total of $5 million is raised, the remaining $500,000 can be used for stage lighting and other improvements at the Levitt, Halverson said. The project is a partnership between the Levitt, the Sioux Falls Community Foundation and the city of Sioux Falls. The city owns the Levitt grounds and maintains the lawn, provides the electricity and other services. The Levitt is responsible for the summer concerts and other programming on the grounds. The city would own the new addition and would allow the Levitt to operate it. The orientation of the new addition means as an attendee is looking toward the main stage the left and right side of the stage would have new additions. City of Sioux Falls graphic The project would provide a "stunning" entrance to the Falls Park District area but it also has a practical purpose. Halverson said when concerts are delayed or canceled because of bad weather, stage equipment is "shoved in the hallway where the artists' dressing rooms are." The addition provides a storage area right off the stage. The Levitt provides 50 free outdoor concerts each season. The concerts drew 90,000 attendees in 2024. The Levitt also offers programming. According to Levitt, its outreach programs reached 7,000 people in 2024. Some of those programs were for adults such as the 188 participants in the six networking and professional development events for area artists inpartnership with Startup Sioux Falls. Others were for kids such as the three-week summer camp for kids. The addition will provide space for those programs including a planned partnership with DSU. José-Marie Griffiths, the president of DSU, is a musician who understands the connection between music and technology, Halverson said. DSU will help with future combined music and technology camps for youth. Halverson said the Levitt already has a type of second stage but the project would develop and enhance that area. There is a barn-type door at the back of the Levitt stage with roughly 12 feet of space, Halverson said. "It's been really useful for private events," she said. But, the project will "reclaim" it as more of a performance space. There will be a connection between the indoor and outdoor space which will allow for events to happen inside and outside, she said. The new space would also have room for offices. The Levitt now has offices at the Gourley Building on Main Avenue. Passersby have seen Levitt staff hauling items to and from the Levitt. It's time to have offices on site, Halverson said. Utility work would start in April, Kearney told the council. The major construction would start in September after the concert season. The exterior would be completed in the spring of 2026 with final completion in September of 2026.