A request for $386,800 in funds for community development will be made soon by the City of New Ulm.

City Council members Tuesday night approved the community development program developed by the New Ulm Planning Commission. A pre-application requesting funds to finance the various projects must be submitted to the Region 9Development Commission in Mankato by March 1.

“I THINK this is one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever been involved in,” said Dr. Wyllis Akre, chairman of the New Ulm Planning Commission.

He said ideas for priorities were sought from the New Ulm Business District organization, New Ulm Industries, the Brown County Historical

Society, various individuals,’ plus planning com-mission and City of New Ulm officials.

However, the Community Development Act specifies that certain projects do not qualify for federal funds.“There were many good ideas,” Akre said,“but we didn’t bring many of them up because they were not covered by the act.”

PROJECTS TOTALING $433,550 were outlined in the planning commission proposal. Amount to be funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) totals $386,800 with cost to the city totaling $46,750.

City Manager Richard Salvati said that many of the projects in the community development plan could be initiated this year.

In order for projects to be funded, they must receive HUD approval.

The City of New Ulm must hold two hearings before submitting a final application for the funds. City Council members Tuesday night voted to submit the pre-application and to decide later whether all projects in the request, if they are funded, should be carried out.

The council also voted to have Salvati write to Senators Hubert H. Humphrey and Walter Mondale to seek their support for the HUD funds.

PROJECTS FOR which HUD funds have been requested include:

-Water main projects for various parts of the city,totaling $147,000;

-A wading pool at Riverside Park, $40,000;

-A pedestrian plaza in downtown New Ulm,$25,000;

-Sidewalk quadrants with sloped walkways to aid the handicapped and elderly, $15,000;

– Historic renovation of the Melges Bakery, $25,000;

-Funds to be used for rehabilitation of ho needing repair, $50,000;

-Funds to help restore or improve buildings in the downtown district, $50,000.

WILLIAM GAFFORD, council president, said funds for improving downtown buildings shouldn’t go “to some millionaire who isn’t doing his part” to upgrade buildings. “We want to make sure we are giving the subsidies to those who need them.”

Jerry Dannheim,representing New Ulm Business District, said the funds are being sought “primarily for some of the areas where there has been little or nothing done.

“I would say there would be a certain amount of bad feeling. But I think our overall point is that we’re getting a great deal of participation, and those participating would be happy to see the money go to those who have been stragglers.”

He compared the program to an inverted Christmas tree. “By putting a little bit in the (bottom),”he said, “we hope to get a lot out at the top.”

The funds are available for fiscal year 1975 .If funds are approved for New Ulm, the city could receive the funds soon, Salvati said.

MAYOR CARL “Red” Wyczawski said two things are significant about the pre-application:

– It’s important to get HUD funds the first year, he said. “Once you get those funds the first year,your chances are much better (to receive additional funds) the following year.”

-Region 9 and the Arrowhead Region,he said,are ahead of other regions in the state in submitting pre-applications. “It’s important we go in with a good program, and I think that here we have a good program.”

New Ulm Daily Journal

Feb. 19, 1975