Special: Smithfield moving from Falls Park. What does it mean for history and future of Sioux Falls? (Patrick Lalley joins)

How do we even begin to describe how big of a gargantuan, monster, mondo, monumental, mammoth, seismic whopper of a deal Monday was for Sioux Falls?   The city's fourth-largest employer and one of the largest meat packing plants in the nation is moving its 117-year-old operation from the precipice of downtown Sioux Falls and next to the city's namesake and No. 1 tourist attraction — where, frankly, it has been an eye sore and on northeast wind-blowing days a nose sore — to free up 120 acres of land for new development that will impact generations to come.   It is made possible by a $50 million donation from the wealthiest person in the state. The governor, mayor, every city councilor, and all of the heavy hitting business titans of Sioux Falls were there to marvel in the moment. Other than that, no big deal.    But, a big enough deal to turn Happy Hour with John Gaskins — for a day — from a local sports show to a local city show. Sioux Falls Live editor/reporter Patrick Lalley, a Sioux Falls native, joins the host from Orion Pub downtown to break down one of the most significant announcements in the city's history.   Let's go Lally-gagging.   In case you really live under a pink quartzite rock, here are the major details about the big deal from our Sioux Falls Live and Dakota Scout story from earlier Monday:  Smithfield Foods will vacate the site of its pork processing plant near downtown Sioux Falls and build a new slaughterhouse, following a $50 million donation from billionaire banker and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford. Smithfield, which purchased John Morrell and Co. in 1995, will build a new modern processing plant in northeast Sioux Falls, clearing the way for the current site next to the city's iconic Falls Park to be redeveloped. The Smithfield plant occupies more than 80 acres of land, according to city records. The new facility will open in Foundation Park near Interstates 90 and 29. Smith said the announcement was a major development for agriculture in South Dakota and the United States. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," for Sioux Falls, Smithfield employees and agriculture, he said. Hundreds turned out for the announcement including Gov. Larry Rhoden and Mayor Paul TenHaken, as well as Sanford. The deal had been under negotiation for more than a year. So, what do we make of all this? What are the most important angles to hit and details to tackle? In the history of the city, what news events or announcements can even compare? Lalley was born and raised in Sioux Falls, just up the hill from the Orion Pub near St. Joseph's Cathedral. He has lived here for all but three of his 60 years. He has seen — and for almost four decades covered as a journalist — the titanic transformations that have taken Sioux Falls from a "cow town" of under 100,000 people just 40 years ago to a booming, burgeoning, robust corporate and economic hub of nearly 225,000 and ever-growing. It didn't happen overnight, but land deals like this can thrust a city into another dimension. What will that dimension be? There will be 120 acres to play with, and rest assured some political jockeying to stake claim to that land has already started behind some curtains. It's a juicy conversation happening in pubs all over town. Ours was recorded for your information and, maybe, your entertainment. It's what Happy Hour is all about. Enjoy.