WINONA, Minn. – A troubling question about the 700-seat Masterpiece concert hall and art gallery being built next to the city library on Fifth Street has been: Where will all the people park? The answer: Fastenal founder Bob Kierlin, who is building the concert hall, has been buying up nearby property quietly. In recent weeks Kierlin has spent $2.4 million for eight houses that will be leveled – one on Fifth across from the Masterpiece site and three just down the block. He also has bought four houses across from the Courthouse on Fourth Street. These lots too could be sued for parking. The acquisitions showed up property records and in a map for city zoning agency approval. Kierlin also wants to buy other property in the residential area, sources said. All are within easy walking distance not only of the proposed Masterpiece Hall but also of Kierlin’s Main Square complex of apartments, shops, and a private school for toddlers and pre-schoolers. Main Square was built in 2018.
Grand scheme
Bob Kierlin and Mary Burrichter conceive of Masterpiece Hall as a national attraction for performing and visual arts. Gradually they plan to place their art collection in the new concert hall. The collection now is at the Minnesota Maritime Art Museum, which they built on Riverview Drive in 2006 but which never lived up to their attendance expectations.
Existing venues
Masterpiece Hall would be the only Winona venue dedicated solely to extraordinary music and musicians. Other Winona venues:
> Somsen audtorium, Winona State University: 900 seats.
> Page Theater, Saint Mary’s University:455 .
> St. Cecilia Auditorium, Cotter High: 400.
> Fusillo Theater, Winona State: 450.
> Plaza Hotel, meeting rooms: 60 .
Transforming downtown west side. Closely packed houses, many nearlt a century old, all modest, many nondescript, some poorly maintained, are facing the wrecking ball to create concert hall parking.
Map legend. The Masterpiece Hall site is the large green-framed square. It bearing Lot Number 32327010. Recently acquired houses are framed in yellow.The dark square in the upper left is parking for the new Fastenal office building at the red-colored Highway 43 Street corner to the Interstate Bridge.