HPC

questions

razing of

old St. Mary's

buildings

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The Historic Preservation Commission debated for more than an hour Thursday how to handle St. Mary's Catholic Church's decision to raze its school campus, despite a city ordinance prohibiting the demolition of a designated landmark.

The commission finally approved sending a letter to the parish outlining the ordinance's implications as far as its planned demolition and inviting Rev. Douglas Grams, other parish officials and Bishop Clayton Nienstedt to the commission's next meeting, March 21, to discuss the church's decision.

The commission was reacting to a letter from Grams to City Manager Brian Gramentz informing the city of the decision to raze the school and the convent.

"It is with regret that the Parish of St. Mary's informs you that efforts to seek alternative uses for the school campus have come to an impasse," Grams wrote. "After consulting with its new bishop, the parish does not feel it can continue to maintain the buildings; that it is better to cut losses and raze them."

In his letter, Grams enumerated the efforts that had been made by the church to find an alternative use for them, including hiring a consultant to advise them of other uses.

"This is not a decision lightly made," he wrote. "Therefore, while we recognize the loss of historic designation is now inevitable, it is fiscally impossible to continue as we have the last few years."

However, Jim Bodine, new HPC chairman and the commission's response author, challenged Grams' claims of efforts made, saying that Brian Tohal, New Ulm's industrial development coordinator, said he had not been contacted by the church as to possible use of the buildings.

"And there are other errors in this letter," Bodine said.

"I don't think there's any point in going through this letter and saying this is wrong or that's wrong," said Commissioner Pete McClurg, who had earlier offered a motion approving the church's demolition plans. He subsequently withdrew his motion and offered the motion to table the matter until church officials could meet with the commission to discuss the matter.