Lee Schull Donates Downtown Watertown BPI Building to Codington Connects for Community Resource Center
- Steve Jurrens
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - In an intergenerational and transformational moment for the Watertown community, local business leader Lee Schull and Schull Construction Company have officially donated their downtown corporate office, known as the BPI building, to the nonprofit organization Codington Connects.
The generous gift of real estate will provide a permanent home and collaborative center for Codington Connects, an organization dedicated to convening local resources to address critical challenges such as housing and childcare shortages.
Michael Klatt, Strategic Advisor to Lee Schull, opened the presentation by reflecting on his early involvement with Codington Connects, which began a few years ago during a local childcare crisis when a facility was at risk of closing.
Klatt emphasized the magnitude of the donation, noting that while the Schull family has historically supported countless churches and nonprofits anonymously, Klatt requested that Schull make this monumental gift a public announcement to inspire others.
“We hope that it will inspire others to think the same way, that they will look at their charitable opportunities and giving, whether it’s real estate or farmland or stocks... to help other worthy charities,” Klatt shared.
A Four-Generation Legacy of Building Watertown
Taking the podium, Lee Schull reflected on his family’s deep, four-generation roots in the area. He shared that his great-grandfather, Robert Schull, immigrated to the region, became a successful farmer, and built the Palace Apartments in 1920. That legacy of building the community continued when Lee’s father, Les, started a construction company shortly after World War II in 1946.
Lee himself returned to Watertown in 1977 to join Building Products Incorporated (BPI), eventually becoming president in 1983. Today, he has passed the reins to the next generation. During the event, Lee proudly introduced his family in attendance, including his wife of nearly two years, Lisa, his daughters Katie and Kari, and his sons Kyle and Collin, who are now leading the family business.
“I’ve had a wonderful family I raised here,” Schull said. “I just want to say thank you to Watertown. It’s a tremendous community”.
Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future
This philanthropic milestone is also a testament to the remarkable life of Lee’s late wife, Jan Schull. For over 30 years, Lee and Jan worked together as steadfast supporters of charitable causes, funding ministries from Malawi, Africa, to senior care facilities in the Twin Cities.
Jan, who passed away in 2021, left an indelible mark on Watertown. As an advocate for local youth, she dedicated her time to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Watertown School Board, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Lake Area Technical College Foundation. Widely known as a “second mom” to countless people in the community, Jan’s lifelong passion for helping others perfectly mirrors the mission of care and connection that Codington Connects seeks to provide.
Sharing that his morning Bible readings from First Kings and Acts spiritually affirmed his decision to make the donation, Lee expressed his desire for this public gift to serve as a catalyst for local generosity.
“When we recognize that all our gifts come from our Lord, we know that stewardship is critical,” Schull stated. “By providing this gift, it is my hope and confidence and that of my wife Lisa and our entire family, that others will be inspired to support those organizations that truly make a difference to all of us”.
Transforming the Space
Catalyst Construction has been retained to manage the renovations and adapt the commercial space for its new charitable purpose. The construction firm has a special connection to the property, having established its first South Dakota office inside the BPI building during the COVID-19 pandemic through the generous support of Lee Schull.
Mike Feltes, Director of Business Development for Catalyst Construction, emphasized the power of such public-private collaborations.
“We don’t just build structures; we build opportunities,” Feltes noted, adding that the project is about transforming a physical space into a hub where community relationships can be strengthened.
During the event, Codington Connects President Sara Foust shared her profound gratitude.
“This building gives us a true home to expand services and welcome partners,” Foust stated.
She announced that the newly established center will house essential public resources under one roof, partnering with the Department of Health, WIC, and county community services.
As the downtown building officially transitions from corporate real estate to a community lifeline, Foust offered a new vision for the historic location.
Moving forward, she noted, the iconic BPI acronym will take on a new meaning for the nonprofit: “Building Partnerships that Inspire”.
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