City Center Apartments open up downtown living options
Staff photo by Clay Schuldt
City Center Apartment began construction in 2017 and finished in summer of 2018 with residents moving into the building in late August. The building has 37 apartment units and is age restricted to those 55-years or older.
By Clay Schuldt Staff Writer
NEW ULM — After five years of planning and redesigning, the City Center Apartments on Minnesota Street opened in 2018. Residents began moving into the building in late August. By February, a little over half the units were filled. Project developer Jim Kretsch worked to build the apartments for the last several years. The process required working with the city for TIF approval, remediation of the soil, finance work and the demolition of two condemned houses before the ground was ever broken for construction. The building is an age-qualified apartment. Residents must be 55 or older to apply for one of the 37 apartments. The units come in nine different layouts with options for 1 bedroom, 2 bedrooms or 3 bedroom units. At this time 20 of the units are spoken for and Kretsch anticipates the move-in dates the end of August. The ground floor apartments facing Minnesota Street all feature private access. Residents living in these apartments can come and go without needing to move through the lobby. The apartments on the second and third floor each have decks offering a grand view of the surroundings. Those on the Minnesota Street side have one of the best views of downtown New Ulm available. The units on the opposite side of the building will have a view of the Minnesota River Valley and backyard gardens. Behind the apartment building will be green space with room for BBQs, a fire pit and even
a workshop for woodworking. The idea is to create a community for the senior residents who want to remain active. Kretsch said the goal was to build a community. The apartment will include many amenities for residents including bocce ball and pickle ball courts to cater to the active senior lifestyle. The extra amenities are to keep the community active. Other amenities to be added later include raised-bed gardens, a large outdoor deck, fire pit and grilling area and a children’s play area. The top feature with real estate is location, location, location and downtown New Ulm is hard to beat. The City Center Apartments are located within walking distance of dozens of New Ulm features. There are five churches within five blocks, Turner Hall is a few blocks away, German Park is a few blocks the other direction, the Post Office is half a block, the movie theater
Staff photo by Clay Schuldt
Jim Kretsch, project developer for the City Center Apartments, enjoys a view of Minnesota Street from the third floor balcony of one of the new units.
is just down the road and several restaurants are on the same street and the American Legion. The project has even
incorporated the old Oswald garage located next door. Crews were able to punch a hole through the basement concrete and
Staff photo by Clay Schuldt
Janet and Terry Dempsey sit down for a special Valentine’s Dinner in the City Center Apartments lounge. The residents of the apartment unit take part in monthly celebrations. In March, they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
connect the two structures. Right now the Oswald building is serving as storage for the construction crews, but there are several options for the future. Kretsch said a part of it will be used as an activity center and include gym equipment, but it could also serve as a loft apartment. He decided to keep the Oswald building because upon inspection it proved in better condition than initially thought. The poured-inconcrete walls and floor are not showing any cracking. The City Center Apartments is one of the largest construction projects in downtown New Ulm and it will have a long lasting affect on the community. In the short time since the building open, the residents have created a close knit community. The City Center Apart-
ments often holds group holiday celebrations in the lounge space. On Valentines Day they held a sweethearts dinner. In March, they will host a St. Patrick’s Day party. Since those moving into the apartments are expected to be downsizing seniors, the hope is The City Center Apartments will open up new homes throughout New Ulm for younger families looking to buy a house. The need for housing is vital concern in New Ulm and this project will help make that a possibility. The number of residents moving into Center Street Apartments is expected to increase in the spring. Kretsch said people are more likely to move in the warm months. There area two move in scheduled for March and April.