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Chaska Building Center plan approved
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At least part of the plan for the redevelopment of the former Chaska Building Center has been approved. Monday night, the Chaska City Council voted unanimously to approve the concept plan for the western portion of the 11.4 acre site to the east of the intersection of Yellow Brick Road and Chaska Boulevard.
Discussion on the eastern half of the site was tabled until work on the Downtown Master Plan is complete.
On the western portion of the site, the current redevelopment proposal would result in two structures undergoing “extensive renovation” to make way for office/retail space and a mill working business.
The proposal for the eastern portion of the site includes removing buildings to make way for a small grocery store, a restaurant and several retail operations.
Former Chaska City Administrator Dave Pokorney, representing the land owner Klingelhutz Land & Building Company, stated that the location, which has sat vacant for two years, was “one of the toughest redevelopments” in Chaska.
“The site’s too big,” he explained.
But while acknowledging the “huge challenge” the site represented, he noted that it offered a “huge opportunity” for downtown.
“The owner is committed to doing something right with the site,” he said.
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The council expressed a desire to tread carefully on the redevelopment to make sure it complements downtown.
“This could really change what’s happening in downtown,” said Kevin Ringwald, Chaska director of planning and development, noting that if done well it could bring jobs and drive more business downtown.
Pokorney acknowledged that the current site is “ugly,” saying, “When we’re done, the buildings will look better than they do today.”
The project will be subject to two more council approvals before any construction can begin but Pokorney is hopeful that they can begin Phase 1 yet this construction season.
-Mollee Francisco, staff writer
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They are serious? Kevin...
Back to page topThey are serious? Kevin Ringwald is serious? Really Kevin, have you no shame? It appears as though somebody was snoozing during ethics class. Can't think of a more sickening conflict of interest.
We are going to allow KLINGELHUTZ LAND & BLDG CO to destroy their own property and have the taxpayers foot the bill and give John the largest portion of his property back. Not just give it back, slap a bow on it, stick it on a silver platter. Has an environmental study been done on the property. Surely, he'll find a way around that.
The guy has bankrupt his own business how many times in the past? John has not paid the taxes due for 2010. We are talking $77,812.23 PAST DUE for 2010. I suppose we will forgive that amount through an amicable deal set up by Kevin Ringwald.
What on earth makes this thoughtless City Council think that John will not repeat the same mistakes he has in the past...how many time? I suppose we will continue to raise all of the smaller businesses taxes in downtown until they are ALL gone as well.
City of Chaska, YOU ARE INCAPABLE OF MAKING FINANCIALLY SOUND DECISIONS. Take the property back for his failure to pay taxes and come up with a LONG TERM plan. This short term garbage set up to fail as it has in the past WILL NOT WORK....again.
That smell of change is getting stronger....
I agree with reader 12... I...
Back to page topI agree with reader 12... I see many vacancies in every retail area in the city limits, brand new buildings with plenty of parking. This is favoritism to the rich and a poorly structured attempt at revitalizing downtown, as this area is nowhere close to downtown traffic and will moost likely take from downtown business, not add to it. Get a backbone, city council!!! Work for the interests of the people, not for one person
Challenge to Chaska...
Back to page topChallenge to Chaska Herald:
1) Check the facts of the comments (Past Due Taxes) and and Verify these.
2) Tell us a little more and what is really going on in City Hall.
3) Print a story covering ALL Mayor and Council Member attendence since the Special Election to verify what another comment wrote.
Delinquent taxes were...
Back to page topDelinquent taxes were printed in the March 18 and April 1 editions of the Chaska Herald. You can verify the numbers for yourself here: http://www.chaskaherald.com/news/legal-notices/public-notices-april-1-20.... Chaska delinquent taxes are listed on the CKHB30040110 pdf and on page 30 of the April 1 issue (page 29 for the March 18 issue).
You can also verify council attendance for yourself on the city's website (www.chaskamn.com) where all of the minutes from this year's meetings are posted. Chris Schulz has been absent twice since the beginning of the year.
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at [email protected].)
Monday night's council vote...
Back to page topMonday night's council vote was only to approve a concept plan. There was no discussion of any public subsidy of the proposed project.
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at [email protected].)
They are part of one big old...
Back to page topThey are part of one big old boys club.
All of these individuals are good friends. Pokorney, Roepke, Van Eyll,Ringwald, Mayor Windschitl, Councilmember Schultz. How can it be a suprise to anyone that these deals get done? If you are suprised you are not paying attention.
There is no one on the City Council that will question anything.
All of these individuals have done everything they can to make sure that there is no dissent to their agenda. Why do you think Windschitl ran for Mayor? Has he done anything positive for the City since taking office, other then be a placeholder and a yes man for this group?
People of Chaska wake up. This group stands behind the word Community to get what they want done. If you oppose it then you are not for community and against the better good.
WE the People have an election this fall. WE the people can put three new people on the Council. The Mayor, Ward 1 and Ward 3.
Hopefully what we are seeing in all areas of the US will spill into Chaska. We need some people that will not tow the line for the good old boys.
Much agreed...
Back to page topMuch agreed "chaskacounterpoint":
Why do we need another Grocery Store downtown?
What does the City have against Cooper's?
What is so difficult about Re-Develoment of that former Chaska Building Center Site?
I guess I will have to get involved again and start attending Council Meetings when I can and delay other meetings and I would urge others to do the same.
IMO; It is time for the City to quit giving away (Playing Robin Hood) the bank to a small select group of people.
Giving away TAX Incentives to certain Businesses only to compete with another Business down the Street makes absolutely no sense to me, except seemingly to put someone else out of business.
Let the Market be Free to decide who comes and who goes and quit giving our Tax Dollars away via TIF districts or any other means.
If some of the comments post previously are True (Which I have no reason to believe otherwise), then we have a Serious Ethics and Moral Dilemma in Chaska City Hall.
Carroll - a clarification to...
Back to page topCarroll - a clarification to your comments. The council only approved the concept plan for the western half of the site on Monday night. The grocery store is part of the proposal for the eastern half of the site and discussion of that, as stated in the article, has been tabled until the Downtown Master Plan is complete. Both Chaska's Planning Commission and the City Council were in favor of holding off on approving any concept plan for the eastern portion of the site until the Downtown Master Plan was on the table so that there could be a discussion about how such a proposal might fit with other businesses in downtown.
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at [email protected].)
I am suprised Councilmember...
Back to page topI am suprised Councilmember Schulz was at a meeting. Does the Chaska Herald know what his attendance has been? It seems that when I have caught different meetings his chair has been empty.
Can the Herald ever look at...
Back to page topCan the Herald ever look at the connection between the former Mayor's,(Community Asset Development) a former City administrator, current administrator, current Mayor, current Coucnilmemebers and who they have supported in prior elections. It amazes me to how all of this goes on in Chaska and the Herald looks the other way.
Maybe it is time for the Minneapolis Press to get involved to expose the relationships and deals? The people are tired of the back room deals and how it all gets done in Chaska.
Schulz absent 20% of the...
Back to page topSchulz absent 20% of the time. Based upon 2 missed meetings out of 10. Not acceptable for someone who has higher aspirations.
I think the policing and...
Back to page topI think the policing and expose's are best left to the mainstream media. Molly, Mark and the rest of the Herald staff do a wonderful job of reporting facts and the goings on within the city.
The herald is not to blame. The ones that need to and sometimes are confronted, simply don't listen. Congested with greed and ego, they just don't care.
The main players in these new comp plans are has-been's and their careers are pretty much done. Washed up if you will. I would advise those players to keep an eye on the playing field. The younger, wiser future administration is going to pull the rug out from under their wheel chairs VERY soon. ;)
We should probably check all of their tax records, individual AND corporate as well.
Something smells good and I think its change....
I look forward to you all...
Back to page topI look forward to you all stepping up and submitting your real names for upcoming city elections. If you are unhappy with the way the city government works, I encourage you to get involved.
Perhaps it's easier to complain.
The problem with your...
Back to page topThe problem with your verbaige kraus is the word "works". For some, it is easier to complain. For others....well...hang on to your wheel chairs!
Only the old boys or their...
Back to page topOnly the old boys or their sanctioned candidates can win in Chaska. It only leaves the rest of us to be able to complain as the average Joe without the blessing of the good old boys can ever win.
Look at who our Mayor is. No experience and from everything I read and see no proactive behvior to really be a great mayor and lead our city. Mayor Windschitl may enjoy being called Mayor with a slap on the back from his friends but he clearly does not have the right stuff to be an effective leader.
I would encourage the folks...
Back to page topI would encourage the folks like "reader12," "chaskacounterpoint," "On-Topic," and others who hide behind made-up user names to step up and be counted. It's easy to offer complaints and threats when hiding behind a veil of anonymity. On the other hand, it's courageous to offer solutions and advice out in the open.
I'm not getting involved in the discussion about what's right or wrong with the City of Chaska government. I'm just concerned to see so much anger and hearsay coming from anonymous users who have no accountability for their on-line actions.
If you have an opinion, let's hear it! But make sure you're taking responsibility for your words.
-Katie Tierney
P.S. Yes, I have a made-up user name (txaggie94), but I always sign my posts. :)
While I don't agree with all...
Back to page topWhile I don't agree with all that is going on, I find this chatter uninformed.
Recently I talked to Mayor Windschitl and inquired about what he is doing and where Chaska is going with leadership and growth. May I suggest you do the same.
This article on the Klingelhutz property on paper looks questionable especially with Klingelhutz, Roepke, and Pokorney. But let me ask you this "do you leave the site blighted and falling apart" or "do you listen to proposals and do what is best for the community?" Should we be glad that there is talk of economic growth? Where did the TIF discussion enter?
My question is why keep any of the Klingelhutz buildings? The whole site should be slated for redevelopment. It is a wonderful opportunity that we need to embrace. Whether we have 2 or 10 banks, or 2 or 10 grocery stores, or 2 or 10 pizza joints doesn't matter. If it is zoned commercial and it is a commercial proposal the City Council has to allow it if it fits within all the zoning regulations. I just want a concept plan that fits with today's standards.
Something is happening in Chaska for growth not every community can say that. Maybe someone is working hard and you just don't know it because they are not acting as a community cheerleader in public. Not all Mayors and City Council Members are alike but that doesn't mean they aren't doing their job.
Ms. Tierney Obviously you...
Back to page topMs. Tierney
Obviously you have never gone to a Chaska Council Meeting. I have watched on TV as people are shouted down if their views conflict with what the powers to be of this town want then they are called NIMBY's and people who are not looking out for what is best for our community. As I see it there are a few people setting the course and thats the way that it is in Chaska. They have done everything they can to put as much affordable housing into the community and turn our downtown into a ghost town. I don't see any attacks or threats that you mentioned only observations. Windschitl is a nice man..but clearly he will not lead Chaska as a Mayor should. Look at Mayor Furlong in Chan and Mayor Thune in Victoria. They are progressive, well spoken cheerleaders for their community. We have been saddled since Mayor Roepke retired with people that were not capable of being effective as Mayor and possessing the necessary attributes to help make Chaska an even better community. We are past the point where a Mayor can come from out of a group of buddies go to events geet slapped on the back and called Mr. Mayor. There is more to it then carrying the title. Lead our City, cheer for our city, have a vision.
I still don't understand why...
Back to page topI still don't understand why commenting anonymously on the Herald website helps your cause.... How does that make anything better? I take all anonymous comments with 50 grains of salt, since there is no accountability on the part of the person making them. And I have no bias - whether I agree or disagree with the comments, if they're not signed, I question their validity.
You can either stand behind your words in the face of adversity, or you can hide behind a veil.
It's really your choice, I guess. I just think it's kind of sad.
-Katie Tierney
Katie, I wholeheartedly...
Back to page topKatie,
I wholeheartedly disagree with your soap box position. Some individuals are prohibited from publicly voicing their opinions. Others are not so careless as to post their name across the internet. Of course, others choose this route to submit valid information which otherwise may not be brought to light.
If you choose to take what you read here "with a grain of salt" and gulp of vinegar so be it. I encourage you to avoid your prejudicial stance by voiding potential facts based on the anonymity of the poster.
My personal accountability stands as solid as the facts and information I previously shared which many are unaware of.
In other words, take a click or two research the issue yourself. Maybe then you will allow yourself to be open to the information shared here - anonymous or not.
- ANONYMOUSLY YOURS
And by the way.......
Back to page topAnd by the way....
Even though I don't attend the Chaska City Council meetings, I was a regular at the Jonathan Association meetings when the Board of Directors was initiating lawsuits against the Association. I stood up at every meeting, and was shouted down and taunted by several members of the Board. I applied for an open position for which I was highly qualified and had significant property owner support, but was turned down in favor of someone that the "Good Old Boys" felt would further their agenda.
Strangely, I didn't give up. I continued to speak my mind, and to work for the betterment of Jonathan. And do you know what? My willingness to speak ON THE RECORD paid off - I was elected to the Board of Directors and helped plan a path for the Jonathan Association that puts the interests of the property owners first.
I didn't hide behind anonymous comments on the Herald website. I spoke up, and I was heard.
-Katie
I think the issue that folks...
Back to page topI think the issue that folks have with Windschitl is that he ran a campaign for Mayor that was almost exclusively based on his personal qualities, not on an agenda of "here's the things I want to get done".
Look at his campaign website (mark4mayor.org) -- there's not a word about what he would actually do as Mayor, no specifics about how he would seek to revitalize downtown, no plan for making anything specific happen. Since becoming Mayor, he hasn't built out his agenda at all (at least publicly). What are his goals? What are his top priorities? I have no idea, because he hasn't communicated them.
I assume the Mayor will run for re-election. I hope he has a more fully formed platform to run on this fall.
Seano you are absolutely...
Back to page topSeano you are absolutely correct. No vision means no plan and no better Chaska. Why did he run then? Was it to be called Mr. Mayor or to prevent a better candidate from breaking the stronghold of the good old boys? So sad that the people of Chaska cannot see through what is really at play in our small town.