NEW ULM — Years in the making, the Markplatz Mall sale is moving forward.

Brown County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to accept the middle Marktplatz Mall sale parcel forfeited in June 2023 for a sale price of $35,913.97 plus applicable fees and any accrued interest of $1,266.94 due to blighted property conditions Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Scott Windschitl, seconded by Borchert. The sale price is based on back taxes due and payable 2023 taxes. Fees are $1,266.94 to be paid to the title company at least two days prior to closing.

“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said Windschitl.

Last week, the New Ulm City Council approved the sale of the middle part of Marktplatz Mall to EBMD LLC, a Minnesota Limited Liability company which already owns the north and south end of the former mall.

The left and right mall parcels were sold for $190,188 combined in April 2020. The building could be demolished if the developer so chooses. Development details have not yet been made public.

EBMD LLC was the only developer interested in the space. If an agreement has not been reached, the property would have been sold at public auction to the highest bidder.

Herberger’s department store once served as an anchor at the north end of the mall for a number of years before closing. No other mall anchors were found. The mall has been closed since June 2018.

Just a few doors down from the mall, hope remains for the former George’s Ballroom on Center Street. Brown County commissioners recently authorized the county administrator and assistant auditor treasurer to negotiate a development agreement with Coldwell Banker Fisher Group of Mankato to develop the former ballroom site.

A proposal including an architectural site plan by Oleson & Hobbie Architects of Mankato includes a mixed-used development plan with 90 parking stalls and 10,360 square feet of commercial space on the lower level.

The first floor plan features 22,995 square feet of commercial space, eight apartments and 26 parking stalls. Second and third floor plans include 21 apartments.