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Eyeing parking, Minnesota Historical Society to buy archdiocese building

By Nick Woltman
Pioneer Press
November 4, 2015

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_29070173/eyeing-parking-minnesota-historical-society-buy-archdiocese-building

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is selling several of its properties as part of its bankruptcy reorganization effort, which will likely result in a settlement payout to victims of clergy sexual abuse. A for-sale sign May 27, 2015 in front of the archdiocese's Msgr. Ambrose Hayden Center, at 328 West Kellogg Boulevard, which has an estimated value of $2.4 million.

The Minnesota Historical Society has agreed to purchase the Msgr. Ambrose Hayden Center from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for $4.5 million.

The historical society plans to use the 60,000-square-foot building, which is across the street from the Minnesota History Center on Kellogg Boulevard, for offices, meeting space and storage, the organization said Wednesday in a news release.

The building's 129-space parking lot was a major selling point -- the History Center's parking lot overflowed at 52 separate events during the past year.

"We see the purchase of this property as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," historical society Director Steve Elliott said in the news release. "The unique location next to the History Center and near the James J. Hill House will help us address parking, space and storage issues."

The purchase agreement includes a 12-month lease-back provision that will allow the archdiocese to continue to use to building while the historical society finalizes its move-in plans.

The Hayden Center is one of three St. Paul buildings the archdiocese put on the market earlier this year as part of its bankruptcy. The archdiocese planned to use the proceeds from the sales to pay its creditors.

The historical society's executive council has approved the purchase, which is to be made using non-state funds. The sale must go through U.S. Bankruptcy Court before it can be finalized, which will likely take until at least mid-January.

Contact: nwoltman@pioneerpress.com




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