Former hospital sale the topic of Jan. 5 public hearing

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The sale of the former Jackson County Regional Health Center building and property may take place as early as Jan. 5.

The hospital Board of Trustees will host a legally required public hearing at noon Wednesday, Jan. 5, to hear public thoughts on the transfer of the property at 700 W. Grove St., Maquoketa.

To participate, call 1 (877) 853-5247, enter meeting number 952 6452 7798#, and when prompted for a participant code, dial the # button again.

The Jan. 5 agenda includes the public hearing followed by approval of the real estate transfer.

After receiving limited interest in the property since the former hospital closed in March, the trustees decided late last summer to accept sealed bids as part of an auction of the property. Rick Levin & Associates in conjunction with Hallberg Auction & Real Estate conducted the auction.

Through advertising and facility tours, the firms garnered “multiple” interested parties, Levin said. 

The hospital has a specific buyer to whom it intends to sell, according to Levin and hospital trustee Gloria Jorgensen. They will not name the buyer until after the deal is finalized, Levin said.

Based on community feedback at various public meetings and events over the last couple of years, “I’m excited” about the purchase, Jorgensen said. “The public will be very happy” with the prospective buyer’s intended use for the Grove Street property, she added.

A closing date is tentatively set for Jan. 31, according to Levin.