Berg Hotel annex to be demolished

Demolition is another step in restoration project in downtown Sleepy Eye

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Another step in the rehabilitation process of the 103-year-old Berg Hotel on Sleepy Eye's West Main Street is set to begin Thursday, March 20.

Provided the proper permits are approved at next Tuesday's Sleepy Eye City Council meeting, a state permit is in hand and volunteer labor and equipment shows up, the 126-year-old annex behind the hotel will be demolished by Mathiowetz Construction and other local contractors.

Preceding the demolition, asbestos abatement work starts next Thursday, March 13.

Restoration of the annex in conjunction with the hotel building would have been desirable, according to Birdie Logue of the Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce. However, due to lack of funding, that won't be done. Current plans call for a parking lot plus trees, shrubbery, and possibly tables and chairs in the space now occupied by the annex.

"It's really a big push forward for us," said Logue regarding the annex demolition. She is also a member of the Berg Hotel Restoration Committee that meets every Monday night to do volunteer interior restoration work.

The hotel restoration project -- on top of the Sleepy Eye Economic Development Authority's 2003 list -- is aiding the effort by researching grant sources, providing grant writing and giving technical assistance to businesses interested in occupying the former hotel building.

Local and non-local businesses, retail and offices, are interested in moving into the building, according to Logue. Retail firms, the Chamber of Commerce office and a coffee shop would be added to the first floor of the hotel, Logue said. An art gallery that may include facilities for art classes and office space would be located on the second and third floors.

Meanwhile, restoration work continues to uncover interesting items in the former hotel building. Recent finds include a fireplace inside a wall and daisy trim in a drop ceiling. New windows, tuck pointing and two entryways are part of the plan.

"The building is a fabulous piece of architecture," Logue said. "We're going to keep it as historically correct as we can. People will be able to stop in, sit down, get some coffee, shop and visit offices."

Funding is the biggest obstacle to the project. The building was donated to the Sleepy Eye Area Foundation recently by Edina realtor Don Henderson. A room in the building will be named after Henderson. The project has 503C (non-profit organization status).

The hotel restoration committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. today in the Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce office . Fred Sabongi of the Sabongi Consulting Group Inc. of Eagan is expected to reveal final plans for the hotel restoration project.