A Sioux Falls mansion escapes demolition after owners agree to finish construction by early next year.
In 2013, Vitaliy and Nataliya Strizheus, Ukrainian family, started building their dream home in the Prairie Hills neighborhood. The city issued eight building permits, but eventually all permits became nullified due to lack of construction progress.
After the city raised complaints in 2019, a circuit court granted permission to demolish the home in 2022.
The Strizheuses fought against the ruling, and they filed lawsuits for discrimination against their nationality. The judge ruled these claims as unfounded, and they were eventually retracted.
The city of Sioux Falls and the Strizheuses recently agreed to drop their claims against each other and reached an agreement.
The family now has until March 31, 2024 to complete construction on their mansion. If this agreement is broken, the family will forfeit their property rights to the city.
