Access to Hermann Monument will be restricted this year. Following a site inspection on March 30 it was recommended public access to the monument be limited for safety reasons. Journal file photo

NEW ULM – The New Ulm City Council formally accepted a Hermann Monument use assessment restricting public access to the monument.

The assessment was recommended for approval last week by the New Ulm Park and Recreation Commission and came before the city council for final approval.

Park and Recreation Director Joey Schugel said that before Hermann Monument is open to the public each year, a site inspection is conducted. For the last seven years this inspection has been done by Structural Engineer Brent Krohn. The inspection was conducted on March 30.

“With that seven years of experience, Krohn is very familiar with the monument and the conditions of it coming out of the winter cycle,” Schugel said. “This is the first year that Krohn has recommended that we restrict pubic access to the monument, which is schedule to open the first weekend in May.”

Schugel said private access to the monument could still be possible to individuals or groups deemed appropriate by the city under certain conditions.

The condition would require city staff inspect the monument for any further visible damage or deterioration immediately prior to entry and city staff leads and supervises anyone approved to enter the gates of Hermann Monument. Anyone entering would also be required to sign a liability waiver approved by the city attorney.

“This would be a big change from years past,” Schugel said. “We anticipate adding temporary signage to the site.”

The signs would provide visitors with information on why access to the monument is restricted with links to the city’s website for additional information.

News of restricted access comes shortly after the city received a report on costs associated with Hermann Monument’s deconstruction and reconstruction from MacDonald & Mack Architects. The report found water infiltration into the monument over the last 70 years had created a freeze-thaw cycle that was eroding its base, leaving reconstruction as the only option.

The cost estimate for deconstruction and reconstruction of the monument is projected at $11.6 million.

“We knew this was coming some day, but it is disappointing” Councilor Eric Warmka said of the restriction.

Councilor David Christian made the motion to file the assessment restricting access to Hermann Monument with a second from Councilor Tom Schmitz. It was passed by the council.