The plan for the new building was presented to the New Ulm Park & Recreation Commission on Monday. Park and Rec. Director Joey Schugel that the battery and city have been working on a building replacement plan for years. Park and Recreation is also part of the planning because the battery building is located on parkland.

The current New Ulm Battery building is located at 208 N. 21st Street and is adjacent to the trap/skeet range and New Ulm compost site. The plan is to construct the replacement building at this site as well.

Schugel said the site does have space to accommodate the new building.

Schugel was uncertain when the battery’s current building was constructed but said “It needs replacement.”

Submitted photo of the property. The red outline marks the location of the new battery building.

“It is past its life expectancy,” Commissioner David Christian said.

Commissioner Jeff Gulden supported the project, saying the new building was “well deserved.”

Commissioner Chairwoman Carisa Buegler agreed the battery deserved a new building. She said the battery had long provided a unique service to the community.

The commissioners made a recommendation to the city council to approve the new battery building site plan.

The site plan and recommendation will come before the New Ulm City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 16 for final approval.

Schugel said with council approval, the city began the project bidding. The plan is to have the new building constructed by mid-August.

At this time, there is no plan to demolish the old battery building once the new building is constructed. Schugel said the old building could still be utilized for storage purposes.

The back section of the battery building includes horse stables that are in good condition. Schugel said the battery still has use for the horse stable. In the event the city ever chooses to demolition the building, the stables will likely be kept standing.