The Storm Lake City Council has cleared a major hurdle in the push to build a new water treatment plant—voting unanimously Monday night to purchase nearly 90 acres on 90th Avenue for future public use, including the long‑planned facility.
The $2.45 million acquisition from the Marlin Friedrich Trust gives the city the land it needs to move forward on a project officials say is essential as the current 1978 plant nears capacity.
But before the vote, council members wrestled with one of the most sensitive questions surrounding the site: its proximity to Storm Lake Early Elementary School.
Councilperson Maggie Martinez voiced her discomfort, saying the city must be absolutely certain the location poses no risk to the district’s youngest students.
City Manager Keri Navratil reiterated that no construction decisions have been made and that design work is still years away. She also clarified that the portion of land closest to the school is not the area the seller will continue farming.
Councilperson Don Piercy Jr. pointed to the city’s water supply realities, reminding the council that the west side is the only viable direction for new wells.
Others emphasized the long‑term strategic value of securing land now—before development pressures or rising costs make it impossible.
Councilperson Matt Ricklefs said the opportunity was too good to pass up.
The purchase includes about 89.13 acres and allows the seller to continue renting the north 40 acres for farming through 2029. Closing will occur no later than Nov. 30, 2026, with the city placing $100,000 in earnest money in trust.
Monday night’s vote keeps Storm Lake on track with the timeline laid out by the Water Treatment Plant Advisory Committee, which warned last month that land acquisition needed to happen within six months to avoid delaying the entire project.
