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Annual gala 'LIFTs Luverne'

Subhead
Second-annual fundraiser draws 175 people for updates on local developments
Lead Summary
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By
Lori Sorenson

The Friday night LIFT Gala drew 175 people to Grand Prairie Events in Luverne where business leaders and organizations updated the community on the latest developments in town.
The night’s agenda featured 13 local projects and undertakings that were highlighted during the two-hour program.
“All these positive things that are happening are because of the people involved in our community,” said Luverne Mayor Baustian, recognizing the board members of LIFT — Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow.
 
Architect drawing for new Senior Center revealed
Some of Friday night’s program updates included big announcements and revelations, like the Senior Citizens plans for a new dining center and meeting space.
George Bonnema, president of Luverne Senior Citizens, unveiled architect drawings of the new $2 million facility and announced the launch of a community fundraising drive.
That campaign will kick off with an April 1 dessert and theater event when the organization’s new name will be announced. “I don’t feel like a senior citizen,” Bonnema said about wanting a new identity for the group.
The new building will replace the front “Lincoln House” structure and incorporate the existing kitchen and dining room spaces that will be remodeled and updated with walk-in coolers and modern activity spaces that the community can also reserve.
(See the related story.)
 
Architect drawing for new performing arts revealed
Another revelation that drew crowd response was the architect’s drawing of the fine arts center that will be completed with the school district’s building project.
The auditorium will seat 500 on the main level and 250 in the balcony will support spaces for back stage, technical and other needs.
It will be located in the center of the campus, just off the new commons and cafeteria area that will occupy the current “link” area between the elementary and high school buildings.
The current auditorium will become the music suite with increased space for band and choir, better storage for instruments and private practice rooms for students.
The current band and choir rooms will be the new weight rooms with better main-floor space and convenient location next to the high school gym.
District Superintendent Craig Oftedahl addressed the LIFT crowd Friday, thanking the community for its support of the building project.
(An expanded story will follow online and in print next week.)
 
Towne Square apartments and commercial space
Other building plans not before seen by the public were apartment sketches for the Towne Square project coming to the former Sharkee’s lot along Highway 75.
Don Jahnke said the exterior architecture reflected a rural setting, with a barn-like appeal, and he said the apartments themselves would be functional and attractive, to suit the needs of small-town residents.
All the units will have a balcony or porch, in-unit laundry, granite countertops and wood panel doors, radiant heat and other amenities all with Minnesota-made products whenever possible.
Jahnke talked about the Opportunity Zone that was established in the Highway 75 and Hatting Street area and said the Town Square project will be attractive to investors, especially since Luverne had so many other positive things going on.
He announced that the mixed-use development on the main level includes spaces for child care and assisted living, in addition to office space and an opportunity for a restaurant.
Those plans haven’t yet been made public and will be detailed in the future.
 
Wayfinding, pheasants, plaza and more …
Also on the agenda were presentations and updated information on:
•LuverneEvents.com
•Wayfinding signs coming this spring.
•C&B Operations expansion project in Luverne.
•Blue Mounds State Park water connection, the bison tours and Mound Creek restoration.
•2019 Pheasant Phiesta.
•Minnesota West – Luverne Campus.
•Luverne Sister Cities International.
•SWMN CEO program.
•Main Street Plaza.
•Premium Iowa Pork.
The Star Herald has reported on many of these developments as they unfolded, and in coming weeks will share the additional information presented at the LIFT Gala Friday night.
 
LIFT support growing
LIFT was established in 2010 as a collaboration of public and private sectors brainstorming about how to improve the Luverne community.
The annual meetings, which were at first free events at the Palace Theatre, celebrate accomplishments and review goals yet to be reached
Last year was the first time it was presented with a catered Bluestem meal for $40 per person as a fundraiser for LIFT.
Due to the strong support in 2018 for that format, organizers agreed to continue the fundraising tradition for future annual meetings.

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