Ballroom renovation continues

Neuwirth's

great-niece

pays visit to

ongoing project

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Slowly but surely, the new owner of George's Ballroom is moving ahead with building renovation.

Randy Danielson was applying wood varnish to the lower walls of the bar room Monday as the heat index flirted with 90 degrees. It was noticeably cooler inside than it was outside.

Danielson, who farms and has a construction business in Arlington, has been working with his wife and a friend in the building for long hours during the past month.

After applying lots of elbow grease to remove mold, apply paint and varnish, repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing fixtures, he has visions of renting the ballroom out for wedding dances and private benefit events before long.

Fans in the ballroom ventilation system were operating. Fresh paint was on the walls and ceiling.

The bar room walls had fresh, dark green with cream-colored, hand-painted trim, designed to match original tones. The ceiling was cream-colored and a dark pink hue.

The terrazzo floor looked much better than it did last April. It wasn't easy. Danielson took on floor rust spots with cotton swabs, a wire brush and muriatic acid.

Lavatory fixtures have been refinished.

An old piano is in the bar room. Danielson, who said he loves music, plays it during work breaks.

Outside, neon lights shine through glass blocks and underneath the barroom sign.

Last weekend, the great-niece of former ballroom owner/operator George Neuwirth, who now lives in Oregon, visited Danielson at the ballroom.

"She stayed here for quite a while, gave me lots of historical information. She said her family supports what I'm doing here 100 percent," Danielson said.

He was the only bidder for the building that was sold for the minimum amount of $1,000 at the Brown County Courthouse last year. Danielson likely saved the building from demolition, that was estimated to cost $200,000 itself.

Brown County seized the property a couple years ago to pay $98,000 in past due taxes.

The property includes three bars, a bowling alley, raised stage, 90x90 dance floor and upstairs apartments. The ballroom features huge, colored indirect lighting on the walls and ceiling.

Danielson repaired parts of the roof and drains that were clogged with leaves. He repaired steam heat problems by replacing four broken elbow pipes.

Danielson was told it would cost more than $400,000 to replace old air conditioning units. He bought air conditioning units for much less money at an auction.

Two years ago, two St. Paul architects released the final draft of their reuse study. It was felt that any type of redevelopment should have a purpose similar to the one Neuwirth originally intended.

Local sentiment leaned strongly to reopening George's as a place to rent for wedding dances, receptions and concerts. It was noted that New Ulm continues to have a vibrant musical community and many local firms seek a venue for company parties.

The 31,650-square foot building was built in 1946. and was operated until the late 1980s. It was the heart of polka music in New Ulm for decades.

(Fritz Busch can be reached at fbusch@nujournal.com).