By Sara QuamThe Luverne Fire Department has decided to expand its current site rather than to build new in order to get an updated facility.The Luverne City Council reviewed plans Tuesday that have a cost estimate of $826,000.City Administrator John Call said, "I do commend the Fire Department for the work and study that went into this."A new building at a different location would cost about $1.38 million.The Luverne City Council still has to formally approve the project. The Fire Department wants an updated facility in order to bring all the equipment inside one building and to provide easier access for emergencies.Now, one ladder truck is stored in the city electric department building because it won’t fit in a current Fire Department bay.The preliminary plans have the addition going to the west of the current building, doubling its size and bringing it up to handicap accessibility codes.The building is used for some open houses and educational events, so accessibility is an issue for more than department members.The city has already purchased John Krogmann property for $40,000 that would allow for the expansion.Another garage across the alley from the Fire Department is owned by the Luverne School District, who will likely sell the garage and land, which has been appraised at $23,000, to the city. Rock County has said it is interested in purchasing the garage and moving it off site, so the city would end up spending about $13,000 for that acquisition.Holy Trinity Episcopal Church has expansion plans of its own that shouldn’t be hindered by this effort of the city’s. Also, The Southwest Mental Health Center will receive easements for parking similar to what they already have.The city has researched financing the expansion through bonds. They will be purchased at the same time as some tax increment financing districts go off the tax rolls, so property taxpayers won’t feel the difference, Call said.The project needs to have detailed plans and specifications, which will probably start under an architectural contract in January. The project will likely be bid by March.