Luverne City Council members met in closed session Tuesday, June 22, to discuss the purchase of a residential lot on East Maple Street.
They approved $108,600 to buy the property at 315 East Maple Street from the Pam Bode estate.
The council intends to move the house and garage at a later date to 115 West Warren Street, which the city bought in 2018 for $35,000 from James Mehlhaff.
The lot was cleared and prepared to sell as future residential housing, and moving the Bode house and garage would fit the city’s intent for that parcel.
Meanwhile, the Maple Street purchase means the city owns all but one parcel in that half of the block — Clint Mulford’s property on Spring Street.
The city bought the others as follows:
•319 East Maple St. from Adam Smedsrud for $15,000 in 2019.
•321 East Maple St. from Clint Gehrke for $6,000 in 2019.
•313 East Maple St. from Chase and Ray Mangel for $50,000 in 2019.
•113 South McKenzie St. from Michael Rogers for $35,000 in 2016.
•117 South McKenzie Street (former laundry business) from Ek/On Ektanitphona for $48,000 in 2020.
The lots share the alley to the north with the History Center property on Main and Spring streets.
According to Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian, the other structures are not being discussed by the council at this time.
“All other structures were purchased for blight removal,” Baustian said.
“The Bode property was a property of opportunity that allowed the city to own almost an entire half block for future development — which will be decided at a later date, or if an opportunity becomes available for development.”
City buys corner lot at Main Street and Highway 75
In a separate city land acquisition, the council signed a purchase agreement for $150,000.
The lot at Highway 75 and Main Street was formerly owned by Dennis and Norma Remme for the Remedez salon and Remme Construction offices.
The city already owns the adjacent properties to the south and west of the Remedez lot.
The city purchased the lot at 309 West Main Street from Dale and Karen Bosch for $75,000 in 2015.
The property, formerly owned by Harold Van Wyhe, was demolished and the lot was prepared for future commercial use.
The lot at 108 South Kniss was owned by Jennifer Oakes, who sold it to the city in 2018 for $39,000. It previously belonged to Ken Vander Poel.
For now, the council indicated it will keep the Remedez structure to lease it out for commercial use.
“The council will likely have a long-term visioning meeting to consider the property and its best use,” said Mayor Pat Baustian.
“I think the council realized that owning the other two properties makes this a good one to also have for future development.”