TYLER — Earlier this month, the city of Tyler acted to formally offer Avera Health an option to purchase about 21 acres of land for a new health care center. So far, however, it’s not yet known if Avera will take the offer, or what kind of facility they might build in Tyler if they do.

Currently, both the Avera Tyler hospital and Sunrise Manor nursing home in Tyler are part of the Avera Health network.

The city of Tyler and Avera have been in discussions about possibly building a new hospital or health facility for some time, said Tyler city administrator Terry East.

“It’s something we have been working on for almost four years now,” East said. There is a need to keep a hospital in the Tyler area, he said.

East said members of the Tyler City Council voted to approve a five-year option for Avera to purchase roughly 21 acres of city-owned land for $1. The land is located just south of the new RTR School building in Tyler, he said.

Under the purchase option, the city of Tyler would still be able to continue renting the land out until the end of the five years, or until Avera purchases the land. As part of the purchase option, Avera would also be responsible for demolishing the old Avera Tyler building, and giving the land to the city of Tyler.

In a statement last week, Avera spokespeople said Avera has had a vision of working toward a new health care facility in Tyler. However, there are not formal details available at this time.

“While we don’t have a formal plan or timeline in place at this point, that vision remains the same. We have a strong partnership with the city of Tyler, and we maintain open dialogue with city leaders on opportunities to enhance this thriving community,” the statement said.