The estimates are in, the cost to deconstruct and reconstruct Hermann Monument is estimated at as high as $14 million. The cost to deconstruct is around $2 million and the rebuild is between $8 million and $12 million.

NEW ULM – The cost to deconstruct the Hermann Monument could be as high as $2 million, with another $8 – $12 million to reconstruct the monument.

These figures were presented to the New Ulm City Council during Tuesday’s work session. The estimates were presented to the council to begin the planning processes for funding the high-cost project.

For years, the city has been working to repair or renovate the Hermann Monument. Water infiltration has created structural problems and undermined the monument’s integrity. In 2019, the city conducted an assessment of the monument and confirmed there were substantial structural issues with the monument. This led to discussions with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) regarding the reconstruction of the monument.

New Ulm Building Official Ellwood Zabel said the plan is to remove the Hermann and lion statues from the monument and set them off to the side. Then, starting with the dome and working down the monument, disassemble it piece-by-piece. Along the way, the deconstruction crew would determine how much of the monument could be salvaged for the rebuild and determine how the monument was constructed to rebuild it.

A feasibility study completed last September by MacDonald and Mac Architects confirmed the deconstruction and reconstruction process was a viable option. Since receiving the study, city staff has worked to put together a rough estimate of how much it will cost to acquire deconstruction documents, the cost to deconstruct and the cost to reconstruct Hermann. Last week, the staff received a cost estimate for the different phases of the project.

Before this process begins the city will need deconstruction documents to help bid out the project. These documents are estimated at $284,950.

The actual piece-by-piece deconstruction of the monument was estimated at $1.12 million, but Zabel believed the cost was closer to $2 million.

He said that since the city does not know what parts of the monument can be salvaged, other experts will need to be brought in to test the material.

As an example, Zabel said the 10 columns holding up the monument could be in great condition, but the city will need to have them structurally tested to ensure it is safe to reuse them. In addition, the material that can be reused will need to be stored until reconstruction, increasing the overall cost.

City Council President Andrea Boettger asked how much of the monument is likely to be salvageable.

“That is the big unknown,” Zabel said. He believed some of the metal components could be saved but doubted the stone and brick were salvageable.

Another issue to consider was the cost of restoring old material versus fabricating new material. Even if some material could be saved, the cost of refurbishing and storing the old material might be higher than creating new components.

For comparison purposes, staff received an estimate for a simple demolition of the monument that did not include salvaging parts of the monument. This would cost $416,000.

Though the demolition of the monument was lower cost than the deconstruction, there was a risk the monument could lose its National Registry of Historic Places status and lose support from SHPO.

City Planner John Knisley said if the city is going to seek state or federal funding for this, they will need to follow SHPO guidelines, which recommend following the deconstruction process.

Knisley said if the city decides to forego deconstruction in favor of demolition, the city might not be eligible for state or federal funding for the reconstruction of the Hermann Monument. Reconstruction of the monument is the most expensive phase of the project, estimated at between $8-12 million.

“Even if we do the deconstruction, we’re not assured of saving the National Registry,” Zabel said. “We still have to go back and reapply for it.”

Mayor Kathleen Backer said being on the National Registry of Historic Places can be beneficial, but it can also be a detriment when trying to improve things.

“I am not so concerned about losing the designation at this point,” she said. “It’s more about doing something about the monument.”

Councilor Larry Mack asked about the time for this project.

Park and Recreation Director Joey Schugel said with funds put aside, the city could sign contracts to get deconstruction documents and start getting bids. However, the city has no funding source to award bids.

At the same time, if the city wants to seek out state bonding in 2026, it may need to have deconstruction documents and bids in hand.

Zabel recommended contacting state legislators Sen. Gary Dahms and Rep. Paul Torkelson regarding the bonding process.

The city will also need to check with SHPO on whether funding support was dependent on the monument’s National Registry status.