New Ulm holds citywide retreat

Participants state six goals for community development

Editor's note: This is the first of two articles about a community-wide retreat in Chaska Feb. 9-10. The second article deals with youth participation in the retreat.

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

CHASKA - Community members have a better idea of how they want New Ulm to grow in the next five years, after completing a 24-hour retreat in Chaska on Saturday.

There was noticeable excitement and enthusiasm from the group - numbering just more than 100 overall - as they left the Oak Ridge Conference Center.

The group had met throughout the day Friday, then completed the retreat Saturday morning with a stated list of six goals and ambitious programs that could be completed by 2006.

Don Bargen, a pastor and professional speaker, was facilitator for the 24-hour retreat. He implored the group to be as clear as possible when listing priorities.

"What specific differences do you want in your community?" Bargen asked. "What are your desired outcomes?"

The six goals created at the retreat are:

· A decision to grow and expand the geographic size of New Ulm.

· The passage of a school referendum and strengthening support for area schools.

· Creating incentives for small businesses.

· Building an art & cultural center, which could involve rehabilitating an older facility, like George's Ballroom.

· Expanding recreation facilities, such as bike trails, improving the riverfront or creating an environmental learning center.

· Opening a new child care facility that will meet the needs of families in the area.

The retreat, dubbed "Continuing the Journey," was a community-wide event sponsored by the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce. This was the fourth city retreat; the most recent getaway was in 1996, when 85 community members participated. Many of the projects brought forward then, from planning bike trails and expanding North Highland to bringing a large retail store to town (Target) have been completed.

So, a new list, with six new goals to be completed in the next five years, was created over the weekend.

Topping that list is further geographic expansion of New Ulm. Many of the retreat members said they want to see land annexed into the city, which could then be developed into new housing, commercial or industrial space.

In recent months, the city has run out of all its existing industrial park land, and a new stretch of property must be found before any further industrial development can begin.

A smaller group analyzed this goal and made plans for creating a task force that will meet with city, county and township officials, along with property owners, to examine ways the city can expand.

The group also would like to see further development of affordable housing and rental units in town.

In education, retreat members believe that passing an excess levy referendum is only the first step in getting New Ulm schools on track. District 88 has fallen behind other schools in the state, several retreat members agreed, and a strong school system is essential to attracting business. Along with a referendum, the group hopes to further educate the community on needs in the schools. Students would be more involved in this process, under the plans.

For business development, retreat members said they would like to increase the number of retail stores while also drawing another sit-down restaurant.

Plans to generate new businesses include Web page and newspaper ads that would sell the community, along with a system of incentive packages that draw people to town for a night's stay, and further coordinated efforts with local banks to help new businesses get off the ground.

People interested in day care said they must build community awareness that a shortage of providers exists. The group hopes to raise funds and seek grants, acquire land and build a new facility in town. The group wants to work with city officials to find an ideal location for a new day care center.

Proponents of expanding recreation options said they will work on improving riverfront development and plan to create a river restoration task force. The group hopes to link the New Ulm bike trail, which will be constructed over the next four years, with a larger system of trails in Mankato.

An art and cultural center would be developed to round out the list of goals.

Barb Haroldson, owner of the Larkspur, spoke passionately about finding a use for George's Ballroom on Center and German streets. Haroldson contends that many objectives - from a youth center to a performing arts auditorium - could be accomplished by renovating and restoring the 50-year-old ballroom.

Retreat members focused on the city's positives, its assets. But the group also made a grocery list of concerns, such as inadequate school funding, inability to retain youth and a need to fill empty buildings, notably in the downtown area, the Pamida building, and the Randall's grocery store, which will close this fall.

"We have a tremendous city," said Jim Jensen. "But we also have some flaws. And some of those flaws have been uncovered."

Bargen said he was impressed by the wide list of positive assets that are found in New Ulm, from the town's diverse business structure to its strong hospitals and tourism base.

"I find that communities are very complex," Bargen said. "And people have very passionate ideas about this complex system."

Bargen has been facilitator at similar events for 16 years. "The interest came in through my ministry and my desire to build rural

communities," Bargen said. "It's a hell of a good job when you can work with people with this level of energy."

Another area that pleased Bargen was the large turnout.

"I'm impressed you have this many people leaving town for a weekend, especially with the bad weather," he said. "It shows civic commitment. It's reflective of a community spirit."

People who attended the retreat came away with many positive thoughts about the trip and the outlook for New Ulm.

"I'm pleased and impressed with the variety of faces I'm seeing here," said Curt Lambrecht of New Ulm. "There's a lot of new blood. That's exciting to me. It shows there are new people to town who are interesting in the community."

Colleen Skillings of New Ulm said it was a great idea to have the retreat out of town, where family issues and job concerns are set aside.

"People are connecting in this relaxed setting," Skillings said. "I think it's essential to have it out of town."

The Oak Ridge Conference Center, located four miles north of downtown Chaska, looks similar to a large hotel, with inn-style bedrooms, large meeting rooms, two huge fireplaces in the atrium and a gymnasium.

Cathy Olson agreed that distance from home allowed people to focus.

"I like the relaxed setting and getting a chance to meet people you usually wouldn't get to know," Olson said.

Tom Henderson said the last retreat left a "profound impact" on New Ulm, which made him decide to attend this year's retreat.

Marian Miller said people are often tied to their own concerns and don't often see the wide list of concerns and assets of New Ulm.

"It's great to see the big picture of the community," Miller said.

While the group ultimately limited its priorities to six topics, other projects discussed included speeding up the timetable for Highway 14 expansion, restoring Hermann Monument, and finding ways to retain college-level professionals and youth.

Another focus area was improving the city's infrastructure, notably sewer and water lines, which must be updated before major projects like adding industrial parks or annexing land can move forward.

Lois Stadick said the Baby Boomer generation also will seek more recreational opportunities from the town.

"Our generation will retire and be more active, and demand more things," Stadick said.

Green spaces and a focus on the environment was among the top assets the group identified. With nearby Flandrau State Park, the two rivers, city parks, clean air and a recycling program in place, the city has a good environmental foundation, retreat members agreed.