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What to do with large and empty retail spaces

NEW ULM — The New Ulm City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance Tuesday to expand allowable commercial uses high density business districts (B-3), targeting large retail spaces that have sat vacant. The council voted unanimously to approve the first reading of the ordinance to amend the city code to give property owners more options when attempting to lease large commercial buildings. City Planner John Knisley said with the shifts toward online shopping, there are several large retail buildings vacant across New Ulm, including the former Runnings property on the city's ...

Peter Wendinger discusses 65 years of New Ulm polka

NEW ULM — Musician Peter Wendinger spoke at the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame during Bavarian Blast weekend in July about his career and the history of polka music in New Ulm. "I live right outside of New Ulm, in a little village of St. George. And when you associate my name, you've got to ...

The rural STEM school revolution begins at River Bend

NEW ULM – River Bend Education District 9th grade student Natalie Haney sat on the floor to the school building Wednesday, carefully reading the technical information on the box containing new robotic technology. The robotics technology was given to River Bend as part of a new program ...

New Ulm approves $926K water main project for Schell’s Brewery

NEW ULM — Tuesday the New Ulm City Council unanimously approved a $926,647.33 contract for a major underground water main project near Junior Pioneer Park and approved preliminary plans for a 2027 street reconstruction following input from local residents. The council awarded the water main construction contract to GM Contracting, Inc., which submitted the lowest of two bids for the project. GM Contracting’s bid came in $20,000 lower than the competing proposal. City Engineer Joe Stadheim said that while the total bid came in higher than initial engineering estimates prepared by ...

NU city council sets 2045 traffic safety goal

NEW ULM — The New Ulm City Council approved a comprehensive long-term plan aiming to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries on city streets by 2045, while also accepting a corporate grant intended to foster positive law enforcement connections with local youth. Nicole Beckman, a senior consultant with SRF Consulting Group, presented the final draft of the New Ulm Safety Action Plan to council members during the meeting. The plan establishes a bold vision target of zero traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries within two decades, alongside an interim goal of ...

Brown County Commissioners receive annual MnDOT update

NEW ULM – Brown County is not expected to see any major MnDOT projects over the next years. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) district engineer Zack Tess and MnDOT district planning director Samuel Parker provided an annual road system update for the Brown County ...