Feb 24Redevelopment Plans Move Forward at Good Counsel Hill in Mankato
Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SWMHP) is moving into the next phase of redevelopment at the historic campus of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mankato. Following a recent community meeting attended by approximately 50 neighbors, residents, and community partners, plans are advancing to bring new housing and community spaces to the iconic hilltop property.
The first phase of construction is scheduled to begin this spring and includes eight single-family homes on the former pasture site adjacent to the Tourtellotte Park neighborhood. Three additional homes are planned for 2027. These homes will be offered at affordable price points through SWMHP’s Partnership Community Land Trust, creating long-term homeownership opportunities while maintaining neighborhood character. Home designs have been thoughtfully developed to complement the surrounding historic homes, blending traditional exterior styles with modern interior features.
On the hilltop portion of the campus, nearly 50 apartments will be created within existing buildings that formerly housed the School Sisters of Notre Dame. These units will include a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts, with occupancy anticipated by the end of 2026. Five guest suites near the chapel will provide short-term accommodations for visitors and those connected to campus events.
A second phase, planned for 2027, will convert Notre Dame Hall into an assisted living and memory care facility. Originally designed in 2003 to serve aging sisters, the building is well-suited for continued use in a similar capacity. Future phases, including redevelopment of St. Joseph Hall, may add 50 or more additional apartments later in the decade, potentially supported by state affordable housing resources to ensure long-term affordability.
In addition to housing, plans include adaptive reuse of the campus chapel as a venue for community gatherings, performances, and events. The overall vision blends housing, nonprofit office space, assisted living, and public gathering areas — honoring the legacy of the site while positioning it for long-term community benefit.
Community feedback has been largely positive, with thoughtful engagement and growing interest in homeownership opportunities following the public meeting. SWMHP will continue working through city planning and land-use processes in the months ahead, with the goal of welcoming residents to Good Counsel Hill by the end of this year.
This redevelopment represents a significant investment in preserving a historic landmark while creating new housing options that serve families, seniors, and the broader Mankato community for decades to come.
Read the full coverage by Mark Fischenich in the Mankato Free Press (article and photos by Mark Fischenich).