Council mulls

final concept

for referendum

Deal with ag

society likely,

soccer fields

still a concern

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The City Council on Thursday debated design concepts for projects to be potentially funded with a local sales tax, zeroing in on a new, hybrid plan that builds on three options publicized in recent months.

The council is expected to choose a final concept in a follow-up meeting today.

The idea behind choosing a concept is to determine what projects would get funded if the tax passes a city referendum this November, officials said. A decision would enable city consultants Rozeboom Miller Architects to develop the scenario selected in detail, which in turn should help voters visualize what the vote is about.

If authorized by voters, the local sales tax, at half of a percent, can only be used to pay for recreational and civic center-style facilities in New Ulm, under the state law that authorized the referendum. The tax -- expected to generate some $9 million in construction funds over the anticipated 18 to 20 years of its life -- would help service city bonds to fund the projects.

While continuing to consider four options that group projects in different ways at different sites, the council on Thursday focused on a newly-evolving, hybrid plan.

The plan, dubbed Option Four, calls for building or upgrading projects at three locations: the Senior Center, the Family Recreation Center (Vogel Arena) and Brown County Fairgrounds.

It has an estimated price tag of approximately $11.8 million, which compares to respectively $9 million, $11 million and $9.9 million for the three earlier concepts.

Some highlights of the plan:

Brown County

Fairgrounds upgrades

Unlike two previous plans that included construction at Brown County Fairgrounds (Option One and Option Two), the new scenario does not locate any senior citizens' programs at that site.

Also in contrast to earlier solutions, it places the potential new building in the fairgrounds' southeast end, rather than to the north.

The new building, with a price tag of $8.5 million, would house two ice sheets, one Olympic size and one smaller, with seating for respectively 1,000 and 400.

One ice sheet would be year-round, while the other would double up as exhibition space.

The main, elevated entry to this building would be to the west, with parking accommodating 160 cars. A secondary, arena-level entrance would be located on the building's opposite end.

The two ice sheets would be separated by elevated, partially shared space (running east to west), with bleachers and support room (lobby, restrooms, concessions).

Senior Center upgrades

Under the plan, the Senior Center will be converted into a "community activities center" at a cost of $2.2 million.

The new building, almost twice as large as the existing, would house senior, arts and crafts, youth and other community programs.

A new two-level section would feature a multi-purpose performance/dining area with seating for 150-300, new entries on the east and west, arts and crafts studios and lobbies. The older, remodeled section would house a large kitchen and program and meeting rooms.

The site development includes increases in parking, a new entry and a dropoff.

The plan would accommodate a 125x125 feet skateboard park (which gets a $100,000 allowance) on the northeast end.

(This facility is similar to one featured in Option Three.)

Family Rec

Center upgrades

The plan also calls for remodeling Vogel Arena, at a cost of approximately $1 million.

It would convert the existing ice arena to three regulation-sized basketball courts, one of which can function as a multi-purpose gymnastics area.

Other highlights are a 145-155-meter running track, conversion of the existing bleacher area to locker rooms, office expansions and mechanical and electrical upgrades.

(This facility is similar to one listed in an earlier plan, Option Two.)

While some council members praised Option Four as an opportunity to gain extra space for city programs, others said an agreement with the Brown County Agricultural Society, owner of the fairgrounds property, may not materialize in time to meet the city's schedule.

"We'd be remiss if we vote to proceed with Option Four before we have an agreement," said council member Clark Tuttle.

Tuttle and others called for keeping other options open as well, by working out two sets of designs: one that involves construction on fairgrounds land, and one that builds on city property alone.

According to Council President Dan Beranek, however, the chances for a deal with ag society members are stronger than ever.

"I am 100 percent confident that we can work out a deal at a reasonable cost," said Beranek.

Potential terms for the deal include a long-term lease (50-100 years), for an annual $10,000 or a lump sum of $100,000, Beranek also said.

Council members also voiced concern that Option Four, the plan with the highest price tag, envisions no funds for soccer facilities.

That may cost the city the votes of "soccer parents", said councilor Ron Fleischmann.

"It doesn't do us any good to have a good plan, if it doesn't pass," Fleischmann stressed.

Also on the table are three earlier options.

* Option One ($9 million) calls for an addition to the Family Recreation Center to accommodate a second sheet of ice; and a fairly small new building at the Brown County Fairgrounds to house senior programs. It puts arts and crafts programs at the Senior Center, at a minor relocation cost.

* Option Two ($11 million) is centered around a major new building at Brown County Fairgrounds, with two sheets of ice and space for senior programs; and converting Vogel Arena into a three-station gym. Likewise, arts and crafts programs are placed at the Senior Center.

* Option Three ($9.9 million) calls for a major new addition to the Family Recreation Center, featuring a second ice arena and a two-station gym; and expanding the Senior Center to house both senior and arts and crafts programs.

Option Three, the council's favorite prior to Thursday's meeting, concentrates all projects on city property, and its price tag includes developing a soccer field at the Artstone complex site.