Bids totaling $59,300 to construct a shelter at the Minnecon Park were accepted Tuesday by the New Ulm City Council.

This total was $2,700 over what had been approved by state and federal agencies participating in the Minnecon Park project. The difference will be made up by the city, said City Manager Richard Salvari.

Landscaping the site will cost another $1,780, according to the low bid, from Minnesota Valley Landscape of Minneapolis. This is $580 over the budget, which will also be made up by city funds.

Winning bidders for the shelter were Salonek, Inc. of Springfield, $47,498 for the general construction; Wilfahrt Brothers of New Ulm, $4,390 for electrical work (only bid received); Schanus Plumbing, of New Ulm, $7,416 for plumbing work.

Bids received to build a footbridge were rejected as too high. They ranged from $25,745 to $54,050. The city had $8,200 in its budget. The soil of peat, trees and fill create a problem for foundation, the architect said.

“To build a concrete structure requires considerably more shoring than usual,” said architect Richard Evjen.

Proposed to redesign the footbridge as a lighter structure.

Construction on the shelter is to start immediately and be done in 45 working days, Evjen said.

Total cost for land acquisition, relocation and initial development has been put at $198,000. Financing comes from federal ($97,400), state ($80,600), county ($7,000) and local ($13,000) funds.

New Ulm Daily Journal

June 2, 1976