This Frequency episode is devoted to the rebirth of West Seventh Street in Sioux City. Back in the 1930s to 1950’s, West Seventh was home to businesses owned by the Jewish population, plus people of the Black, Hispanic and Asian communities.
At one point, the area was dubbed the Jewish Mile.
It was also the place with a lot of live music taverns, where blues, gospel, jazz and rock and roll were played by musicians in such places as the 711 Lounge.
Eventually, the area got a rundown look, and West Seventh from Wesley Way to Hamilton Boulevard and farther west became known as a rough place.
However, a rebirth has been happening in recent decades, and that took a big step forward when the city of Sioux City started spending substantial money on the West Seventh Corridor Rebuild in spring 2014.
The aim was for it to be repurposed as a neighborhood concept commercial area.
The city worked to make Wesley Way more of a traffic connector, and calmed traffic along West Seventh by creating diagonal parking with bike lanes and tree lined/landscaped sidewalks.
Building facades were rebuilt and restored where possible to their original designs. Then in 2018, city utilities, such as sewer, water, storm sewer, and fiber optics were replaced. To increase walkability and economic growth, landscape elements, gateway elements, Perry Creek bridge aesthetic enhancements, new lighting, colored pavements, and unique bus shelters sought to give the West Seventh Street corridor a distinctive look and feel.
Many new family-owned businesses have emerged on West Seventh in recent years.
Peggy La, a proud Sioux City native whose family owns Hong Kong Supermarket, spent time this week to walk and talk down West Seventh. She pointed out the changes, recalled former businesses and gave an oral history of the area on an August afternoon tour.
Along the way, people stopped to share their impressions of the West Street rebirth, including Josh Collins, a barber, Robin Gordon, who works at the staffing agency People Ready, Da Kao restaurant manager Phong Doan, and David Meyers, the owner of Bob’s Watering Hole.
Click on the audio link above to hear the entire show.
*What's The Frequency, Episode 28.
