The Lolo and Lemanu Administration is looking at purchasing the Samoa Sports 3-story building, located across from Port Administration, in Fagatogo, for the local Medicaid office, according to Medicaid Director Sandra King Young. She told Samoa News they are waiting for the appraisal in order for the governor to make a determination whether or not to buy the building.

Samoa News saw Chief of Staff Fiu Johnny Saelua and the owner of the Samoa Sports Building, Galumalemana Bill Satele, seemingly going through the building for a ‘look-see’ last week, which led to questions that were only answered by the Medicaid director.

Asked how much the building will cost the government, the Medicaid Director, Sandra King Young responded they are waiting for the appraisal. Samoa News further asked about the third floor — would it be removed or renovated? Again, she answered that they are awaiting the appraisal.

According to people who have been up to the building’s third floor, it houses bedrooms and its ceiling is relatively low.

Because the three-story building does not have an elevator, Samoa News also asked the Medicaid director if her office will be complying with the American Disability Act (ADA), and she responded, “We're working under the assumption that the building needs to be ADA compliant.”

She told Samoa News last week that the reason they are interested in purchasing this particular building is that they plan to utilize the first floor and rent out the rest of the building to get matching funds for their grants.

Samoa News was told by government sources, who wish to remain anonymous that it’s pretty much a done deal, with the appraisal dictating the final price. The sports building is built on government leased land. Unconfirmed sources say the owner is said to be asking around $2Mil for the building.