The Krauses offered the following thoughts via email regarding the council's decision at Monday night's meeting:

“I would like to thank all of the people that stuck it out with us," said Jan Fox-Kraus, CEO of Christian P. Klein Mansion, Inc. "There are a lot of people who are great supporters of this project that had to leave early or just could not make it on Monday night.  I will be thanking everyone involved personally."

"Assistant Administrator Matt Podhradsky was well-balanced and fair with his presentation covering the plans of both players and their pursuits, namely with the cooperative’s plan along with restaurant plan," said Norm Kraus, CFO. "Like always when the discussion got off track a little and even though he had to endure a long night, City Administrator Dave Pokorney would graciously step in to help summarize the issues and get us back on track with the most important priorities at hand.  We were very pleased with the discussions.  We are also very glad to see the high level support from the council towards the Carver Scott Educational Cooperative’s needs and pleased with how the council passed a resolution to continue to help find a new and great site in effort to help fill their expansion plans.  In the long run I am persuaded that the council’s decision will prove to be the best long term solution for all involved."

"We’re all very excited that the project is going forward with such enormous support," said Jason Kraus, son and partner in the venture. "We had 20-plus people attending Monday night in support of this project.  Our head architect, Chuck Freiberg from RSP Architects, and one of the bankers we are working with, Tom Croft of Bank of the West stayed with us until the very end of the night.  Actually it was until the next morning.  We all left City Hall around 1 a.m."

"Many, many thanks to the residents and business people , especially Tom Croft from Bank of the West, Les (Dahlberg) from Wally’s Sports and Dan (Keyport) from Dolce Vita Wine Shop, who stopped by and stayed with us until close to 1 a.m. to show their support and to hear the results of this historic vote," said Joyce Bohn, owner of the Peacock Inn Bed and Breakfast. "The outburst of clapping after the vote was taken was proof that the community supports this next step in Chaska’s downtown revitalization. Finally, the “other” magnificent Klein Mansion will be properly restored, respected and preserved for future generations to visit and enjoy. And my heartfelt appreciation to the councilmen, city staff and especially Mayor Gary Van Eyll and Councilor Jay Rohe, who showed a level of faith, trust, vision and support in their closing statements that proved truly inspirational for all of us.  And hats off to our new councilor Chris Schultz who proved he wasn’t afraid to ask all the tough questions. Keep up the good work. Christian and Sophie must surely be smiling down on Chaska today!"

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)