NEW ULM Turner Hall, the venerable New Ulm landmark, is re-launching its fund raising campaign in mid-June.
The first phase of recent fund raising, which took place in 2005-2007, resulted in raising some $618,000 (including interest) for improvements, reported campaign manager Kathleen Backer.
The goal now is to raise an additional $600,000, said Backer.
The new drive will be co-chaired by Dan and Trudy Beranek, said Backer.
Turner Hall is financially viable in terms of day-to-day operation - but needs community support in preserving and renovating the historic building, Dan Beranek said.
"It's a very important organization to the community of New Ulm - a very important piece of its history," Beranek said.
"That's why we should try to make it financially strong - so, 20, 50 years from now it is still around, and that history extends further."
"We should try to make the building accessible to all age groups."
As a result of the 2005-2007 fund-raising drive, significant renovations have been, or are in the process of, being made, explained Backer.
A fire suppression system has been installed, enhancing fire protection throughout the building.
In addition, according to a written report by Turner Society President Ed Weber which Backer provided, an 800-square-foot temporary storage facility was completed to the north side of the building.
The structure is not attached to the wall because of Minnesota Historical Society requirements, and future plans call for it to be removed when a permanent storage addition is attached to the Washington Street side of Turner Hall.
The storage facility freed up two small rooms on both sides of the stairs leading to the upper level gym/banquet hall, which have been converted into wheelchair-accessible restrooms - "attractive and serviceable," said Backer.
The adjacent front entry has been renovated, with a few new touches (e.g. chandeliers), in keeping with the historic character of the building.
Two restrooms adjacent to the lower-level dining room are being renovated.
Concurrently with renovation, the society hired an architect to take a comprehensive look at needs, putting planning on a more systematic basis.
The Turner Society has a positive relationship with the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS), which provided a grant to fund part of the architect's fee, the Turners point out.
Some of the remaining renovation needs will be funded with remaining reserves - roughly $290,000, says Backer - and some with the upcoming fundraising.
The society has also applied for a MHS Legacy grant to help fund the next needed upgrades, and Backer is "cautiously optimistic" about the outcome of that process.
Sufficient reserves are probably available for a Washington Street entrance and the installation of an elevator that will make all levels of the building accessible to wheelchairs, according to Weber's report.
But more funds are needed for improvements such as lower level renovation, a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system for the Founder's Room, and a two-level permanent addition to the back of the building, to store the Turner Society's historic collections and also use as office space.
The upgrades to the Washington Street side would provide a main floor entry, through an elevator or stairway, adds Backer.
The parking lot area would be regraded to a level grade, and a new circular drive would be the main access to the building.
The deck would slide over to accommodate the addition.
