By Sara StrongLuverne Economic Development Authority Director Dan Statema will negotiate with Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System for two city lots Sioux Valley wants to use for an additional driveway to its new facility. The LEDA directed Statema to handle negotiating after its Monday meeting.When completed in 2005, the new clinic and hospital will be at the north edge of Luverne. The property abuts the Veterans Addition to its south, Highway 75 on the west, Blue Mound Avenue on the east and the gravel road on the north. Sioux Valley would like lots 2 and 3 of the Veterans Addition to build another road to the south of the new campus that would mostly be used for employee access.City Administrator Greg LaFond pointed out that Sioux Valley has other potential residential lots in the parcel it recently purchased. The land isn’t platted, but could be worth two lots to be traded for the two city-owned lots. LaFond said, "The $2 million in infrastructure is a significant investment on the part of the community."The city is also granting Sioux Valley $2.5 million and loaning it $1 million for the hospital and clinic project, which is seen as a major economic development boost for the city.EDA member Bob Latham said he’d favor selling the lots or trading for other land. "I don’t think we can afford to give the lots away," he said. The Veterans Addition lots would normally sell for $13,000.The main hospital and clinic access will be on its south side from Veterans Drive. Other access will be available on its north side from the gravel road that will be paved by the county. The newly paved county road will also include curb and gutter work and a sidewalk.
