By Jodi Schwan

A tribute to former city planning director Steve Metli will be included at the new Arc of Dreams site downtown.

Metli Plaza will be a prairie garden looking out over the Big Sioux River and the city’s skyline.

It will be on the west-side visitor center area of the Arc of Dreams and will include a “community dreamer” wall at the plaza to honor everyday citizens who have made an impact on Sioux Falls.

Steve Metli

“With Steve’s great vision and dreaming, it’s right for him to be the first one,” said Craig Lloyd, Metli’s close friend and owner of Lloyd Cos..

Craig and Pat Lloyd, along with Tom and Kathy Walsh, are pledging to match up to $50,000 in donations to launch the estimated $250,000 project.

The Arc of Dreams will sit on both sides of the river between Cherapa Plaza and Raven Industries.

“I remember Steve telling me a strong community has to have a strong core to be robust and vibrant,” said Paul Schiller, who along with his wife, Koni, also is helping raise money for the plaza.

The plan is to finish Metli Plaza along with the Arc of Dreams next July.