By Lori EhdePlans are coming together for a new business venture, "Plaza 75," on South Highway 75 in Luverne.Rich Dreckman has owned Align-Tech & Tire for seven years, and two years ago, he bought the True Value property after the hardware store burned in December 2001.The office and retail complex will be located just east of Align-Tech in what used to be the hardware store space.If the project comes together as planned, the 8,000-square-foot building could house anywhere from five to nine tenants, depending on who signs leases and what their needs are."It’s for any retailer looking for highway traffic exposure," Dreckman said. "The Department of Transportation count is close to 10,000 cars per day. … Parking and traffic count are the biggest appeal."So far, Dreckman said he’s got two renters — not yet signed — who have expressed earnest interest, in addition to about a dozen serious inquiries.Dreckman said interior offices will be connected by main corridors that meet in a center atrium.The exterior will be stucco with brick façade, with professional landscaping and a new asphalt parking lot with painted spaces."We’re using the roof structure that’s there, but it’ll be a brand-new building when it’s done," Dreckman said. "We want this to be a professional plaza that you can be proud to be in. We don’t want people thinking I’m putting up a tin building with offices inside."When tenants move in, a large sign, similar to those used by strip malls, will advertise all the enclosed businesses.Until recently, Dreckman used the adjoining property at the corner of Harrison and Highway 75 to sell used cars, but over Christmas dinner, his brother, Stan Dreckman, Fargo, N.D., had a better idea for that space."He, as an outsider looking in, could see something I couldn’t," Dreckman said. "He saw the 10,000 cars (per day) going by and all the parking space. … It’s just a better use for that property."If local interest is an indicator, his brother — also an investor in the project — had a pretty good idea."Sometimes the best market research is just talking to people," Dreckman said. "And 90 percent of the people who see this say it’s a good idea; it’s something we need in Luverne."Dreckman is getting his financing together for the project and said he hopes to get leases signed in the next six weeks. Construction will be completed in the next several months.Rental inquiries can be directed to Gene Cragoe, who’s handling lease contracts for the project, at Cragoe Realty, 283-2647.
