By Lori Ehde
Wednesday was a big day for the city of Luverne and its medical community.
Sioux Valley Hospital announced it will take an option on land north of Luverne for a new hospital and clinic.
Plans for a new hospital have been in the works for more than a year, but deciding on a location was one of the biggest first steps.
In the previous few months, locations had been narrowed to property north of the Veterans Addition and land south of the Interstate west of Pamida and the Magnolia Steakhouse.
"We’ve held meetings with our potential neighbors to the north, Luverne community leadership and received input from our physicians and staff," said Jerry Carl, CEO of Luverne Community Hospital.
"They all determined the north site would serve our community best."
Planners in the process of deciding a location indicated that the northern location simply presented the fewest barriers to development.
For example, the southern property had issues of helicopter airspace competing with airport fly zones, potential barriers to expansion by gravel mining to the west and more costly work for road access and water and sewer connections.
The northern location will still require infrastructure costs, but it clearly presents fewer potential problems.
The land belongs to the Christensen Estate, handled by Joel Christensen.
It abuts the Veterans Addition to its south, Highway 75 on the west, Blue Mound Avenue on the east and the gravel township road on the north.
There are 63 acres of farm land available, but current architect plans call for the hospital and clinic buildings to occupy roughly 20 acres, including parking.
Additional ground could be negotiated for future expansion, possibly for medical services buildings.
Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System leadership gave the nod in a Tuesday meeting to move ahead and work with the city of Luverne on purchasing the current hospital property and secure city financial assistance to proceed with the building project.
Sioux Valley will also commit "significant dollars to build the new hospital and clinic," according to a statement released Wednesday.
To date, plans have called for a $17.5 million project, but details hinge on financing.
"We are pleased that the Luverne community is supportive of this project," said Dave Link, Executive president of Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System.
"That support will allow Luverne to expand health care services — and to keep health care close to home."
Open forum meetings will be scheduled prior to the City Council decision regarding the purchase of the current facility and the economic development grant.
"This is exciting news for the Luverne community," said Mayor Glen Gust.
"We look forward to working with Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System and welcome community input as we proceed with this major endeavor for the city of Luverne."
