George's

owner

stresses

finances,

practicality

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Now that George's Ballroom has a new owner, lots of people have ideas on what Randy Danielson should to do the building.

The Save George's Ballroom Committee held a meeting Thursday night at which two St. Paul architects released the final draft of their reuse study and Danielson fielded questions and responded to comments from the audience.

While everyone at the meeting agreed that redevelopment is the correct road to take with the ballroom, the reuse panel stressed that any new idea on how to use George's must have a positive cash flow in order for a successful renovation to take place.

The final draft reuse study made similar recommendations to the version released in March. The team that investigated George's felt that any kind of redevelopment must have a purpose similar to the one George Neuwirth originally intended.

Many of the people who attended the meeting offered stories and ideas. Sentiment leaned strongly towards reopening George's as a place to rent for wedding dances and receptions and for concerts.

Others pointed out that ballrooms in some other communities still see solid business and that while New Ulm has a vibrant music scene, many musicians are looking for more places to play. Additionally, many local companies are also seeking a venue to have an annual company party.

Danielson and the two architects, Thomas Zahn and Bob Claybaugh, stressed that times have changed since the ballroom's heyday -- and if George's were redeveloped, it probably wouldn't host dances five nights a week. However, it could certainly be rented out for a dance.

Brown County sold the ailing landmark at a public auction earlier this summer for $1,000 after it was confiscated from the daughter of the original owner for non-payment of property taxes. The ballroom shut its doors in 1989.

The sheer cost of bringing George's up to current building codes dominated the discussion. Estimates made on the ballroom have been as high as $300,000 even though George's is still mostly intact.

Danielson said he bought the ballroom not realizing what he was getting himself into. He said several times that he would like to bring George's up to code and rent the space out for dances and parties.

"I think New Ulm is big enough and up-and-coming enough to support it," Danielson said. "It could really bring people to New Ulm because it has this aura about it."

He said later that finances are a key factor in his actions.

"I'm not doing this to be a nice guy. It needs to make a profit," he said. "That's not the only thing I'm concerned with, but that's what's driving it and I think it can make a profit."

Conversations with local officials and business leaders have raised some issue with the possibility that a revitalized George's would attract business away from places like Turner Hall, but the idea that Danielson said he has in mind would be to use George's to enhance the other businesses in downtown New Ulm.

Local musician Leon Olson said he remembered playing the last dance job in George's in 1987. He said 3M, Kraft, the New Ulm and Nicollet fire departments and the Sibley County Pork Producers were regular customers at George's for dances.

Danielson replied that the entertainment industry has since moved into the home and said "that's why you're not going to see it like it was. That's just not going to pay for itself anymore."

Danielson said he's still looking for advice and help and is "willing to listen to anything" but emphasized that any idea is going to have to pay for itself.

Danielson has been working to remove mold from the building.

One woman asked Danielson if it would be possible to have a fund-raiser at George's once the mold is cleared out. Danielson said he's willing, but wants to wait until all the mold inside is taken care of and the dance floor is completely torn out.