NEW ULM – The contract for the 18th South Street Storm Sewer Lift Station project was awarded to Holtmeier Construction, Inc for $1.32 million, Tuesday.

New Ulm received five bids for the 18 S. Street lift station project. Holtmeier was the lowest bidder, which came in under the engineers estimate of $1.5 million.

City Engineer Joe Stadheim said the project was partially funded with a FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation fund that was approved in 2023 in the amount of $1.125 million. The remaining $195,000 cost will be funded through a city bond issuance.

The 18th Street S. lift station project is designed as a flooding prevention measure. During rain events, New Ulm is required to close the flood gates to prevent river water from coming back up on the protected side of the levee. When this occurs, the City sets up portable pumps to move snow melt and storm sewer runoff from the protected side of the levee to the river.

This is done to prevent flooding of homes, businesses and other critical infrastructure from runoff. However, the pumps cannot always handle the volume of runoff. The construction of a lift station would automate the process, saving city resources and protecting infrastructure, specifically the 20th Street S. sanitary sewer lift station.

The city has been working to start this project for over two years.

In 2023, New Ulm submitted a congressional direct spending request to fund the 18th Street lift station project. In 2024, the city was notified that projected funding was approved through a FEMA pre-disaster mitigation fund. The city officially received the grant documents for the project in 2025.

Councilor Tom Schmitz made the motion to approve the contract.

“I support this project of anti-flood disaster mitigation, storm sewer project and trying to keep the water on the Minnesota River side of our levy,” Schmitz said.

Councilor Larry Mack seconded the motion, approved by the council.