The exact date of the demolition has not been announced. A special meeting will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall to discuss the demolition schedule with neighboring property owners.

The demolition is part of a redevelopment plan managed by The Coldwell Banker Commercial (CBC) Fisher Group from Mankato. The plan is to create a new multi-residential building and commercial retail space on the site after the former ballroom is removed.

George’s Ballroom has been part of New Ulm since the 1930s. It began as a bowling alley and bar. In 1945, it was expanded into a ballroom. George’s Ballroom hosted several popular bands of the era including Lawrence Welk, Henry James, the Dorsey Brothers, the Andrews Sisters, Glenn Miller, Whoopie John and the Six Fat Dutchmen.

George’s Ballroom closed in 1991 following a decline in the popularity of Big Band music. The building would remain mostly vacant for the next decade. In 2004, Brown County acquired the property through tax foreclosure. It was sold at auction. A new owner renovated and re-opened the building for a short time, but was once again deeded back to Brown County due to back taxes. The building remained empty for another 15 years. In Sept. 19 the Brown County board of commissioners authorized the demolition of the property. The building is considered a safety hazard, with trees and shrubs growing out of the building’s roof and mold prominent throughout the interior.

The final days of George’s Ballroom are here. Demolitions crews began preparing the site Tuesday morning. The start date of the demolition is expected to be announced during special meeting with neighboring property owners Wednesday afternoon. The demolition is part of a redevelopment plan to create a multi-residential building and retail space.

All artifacts from the building that could be salvaged have already been removed. The Fisher Group also plans to save the ballrooms famous marquee.