Evaluation, tour of Pastoral Center complete recommendations of how to proceed is next step

by Mark Kemmeter

Diocesan Coordinator of Staff

The Diocesan Pastoral Center, located at 1400 6th Street North in New Ulm, was erected in 1960. The original design of the building created a two-story chancery office that was flanked by residences on both sides. The Center is currently used as an office space for the twenty-plus people on the diocesan professional and support staff and as an eighteen bed retreat house.

Over the years, the building has been regularly maintained. Systems have been updated when possible. Roofs have been replaced and the exterior stone was recently tuckpointed. However, with many of the mechanical and electrical systems nearing the end of their life expectancies, it was necessary for a thorough evaluation of the Pastoral Center.

In 2004, an Ad Hoc Committee of pastoral leaders and diocesan staff was formed to suggest a procedure to Bishop Nienstedt for the evaluation of the condition of the Center. The Committee recommended that a preliminary condition/assessment study be conducted for the pastoral leaders in the diocese. In the winter of 2004-2005, the study was undertaken by KOH Architects of Mankato, Dolejs Associates of Mankato, Klassen Mechanical of New Ulm, and the Institute for Environmental Assessment. Mr. Eric Oleson of KOH coordinated and compiled the report. The report was released and presented to pastoral leaders in March of 2005.

On Tuesday, January 17, 2006, pastoral leaders and members of certain diocesan committees were invited to a tour of the Pastoral Center. The tour was led by Chuck Botz, the diocesan Director of Maintenance, and architect Eric Oleson, now associated with R. L. Engebretson of Mankato. They guided the participants through the entire building and provided commentary on the various conditions that were cited in the report.

Tour participants discovered that there are significant decisions that will need to be made about how best to address the overall condition of the building. Because of several recent electrical fires in the building, there is also some concern about how soon a plan of action will need to be proposed.

Bishop Nienstedt has asked the diocesan Property Committee to analyze the report and to make recommendations about the next steps in the evaluation of the condition of the Pastoral Center. The Committee projects that it will take at least another year of research before any recommendations can be proposed.