NEW ULM —

The Herman Heights improvement project began in April with the removal of the kasota stone retaining wall along Center Street and the construction on a new wall. As construction crews complete the top tier of wall, work has begun on the parking lot.

The Reinvest in New Ulm (RENU) projects approved by voter referendum in 2016, included parking lot renovations at Hermann Height and relocation of Monument Street further west on the Center to improve sightlines for drivers. Two paved parking lots will be created for the park. The plan would create nearly 90 regular parking stalls, four handicapped stalls, and room for coach buses.

As of Friday, the former Monument Street entrance is gone, replaced with a curb. The new park entrance was created at the top of the hill, but access to the park remains blocked until all improvements are complete.