George's owner looking for community input

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

ARLINGTON -- Randy Danielson recently joked about buying George's Ballroom.

Hours later, he became the owner. Danielson made the only bid for the 57-year-old ballroom at a special Brown County auction last Wednesday. He won the auction by bidding the minimum amount, $1,000.

Since then, people have come up to him on the streets of Arlington with questions about the aging landmark's future and stories and memories about days gone by. Although Danielson has no memories of George's himself, he said he's fond of the idea of helping a small town keep part of its heritage.

"I bought it because I thought it was a good deal," he said Friday. "And I enjoy taking the challenge of creating something out of nothing."

George's Ballroom was seized by Brown County to pay $98,000 in overdue taxes over a year ago. Officials later had estimates made on the cost of demolition, which stood at about $300,000. Demolition would have likely been the fate of the ballroom if it hadn't sold Wednesday morning, according to Jean Prochniak, assistant Brown County auditor-treasurer.

Danielson, a farmer and construction worker, said he plans to start working on improvements to the building. He said he's going to start with everyday household chores like cleaning out the storm drain pipes, mowing the lawn and trimming the hedges.

But there's one problem at this point: Danielson said he's not quite sure what to do with George's now that it's in his hands. He said he'd like to gather input from community groups -- particularly from those who George's was dear to -- in order to form ideas on re-use. He said he will probably hold off on making major repairs until after he's spoken with local officials and others.

Danielson is originally from Le Sueur and moved to Arlington about 15 years ago from Salem, Ore., where he bought several derelict houses, fixed them up and then sold them on the market. He recently purchased a grain elevator in St. Claire, which he demolished and later sold for parts.

"This is the biggest property and the biggest project I've ever done," he said. "It would go against the grain to see that building torn down."

He said he made an offer on a building in Arlington that was originally refused by its owner. When that property was sold on the auction block two years later, he asked one city official why he wasn't contacted. The official replied that he didn't know Danielson was interested.

Around the same time, the city of New Ulm had just handed George's back over to Brown County, which decided to put the ballroom on the auction block.

Danielson said city's recent re-use study is "just a list. It really doesn't mean that much to me." He emphasized that he doesn't want to tear George's down and doesn't think of the ballroom as a "get-rich project."

Danielson said he toured George's about a month before the auction. He thought the building was too good to be torn down. Once the county handed him the keys, he switched the electrical service to his name, went inside and turned the lights on.

"That had to be one awesome building in its day," he said when asked about his initial reaction.

But that building has some serious problems, he said, even though the cost estimates for restoration are "on the high side" in Danielson's opinion. He said the roof replacement will likely cost $55,125 -- the figure mentioned in the county's assessment -- but the electrical, plumbing and heating systems could be fixed for less.

The wood on the main dance floor is in poor condition but the terrazzo marble beneath it is still danceable, Danielson said. Leaving that floor, which is the original from 1945, in place could save $70,000 - 80,000, he said.

The lighting in the main ballroom works fine and probably doesn't need $50,000 worth of restoration work. He said he could work with sources on estimates for the ceiling and heating that could come in at $100,000 less than the figure in the county report.

The booths will still work if they are cleaned up and the glass block can be fixed for $12, versus $250.

"The basic thing is that I'm interested in the idea. I'd like to see this become more of a community project," Danielson said.

So if you should happen by George's Ballroom and see a pickup truck outside, stop in. Danielson said he'd be happy to let people look around.