Last Friday, over 100 students briefly turned one of Chaska High School’s halls into a large mosh pit.

The juniors and seniors, dressed in red and blue shirts, ran and pushed into each other.

The action was apparently a response to a high school fight last spring that police said had been caused by gang friction. The shirt colors were supposed to be a humorous wink at the murderous Crips and Bloods gangs in Los Angeles.

By Police Chief Scott Knight

From Monday, April 19 through Sunday, April 25, 11 people have been killed on Minnesota roadways.

During the past two months, this editorial space has been dedicated to ideas for improving downtown.

This is the last in the series, albeit certainly not the last editorial on downtown, the virtues of which this newspaper has touted since 1862.

Downtown Chaska has many good things going on right now – from its businesses to its history to its neighborhoods. The qualities of downtown can’t be stressed enough.

Over the past few weeks, this series has pondered a few ways the city of Chaska could help downtown – through urban planning, downtown city functions, and building trail connections.

Of course, the city isn’t in the business of directly subsidizing downtown businesses. The more it takes on that role, the stickier it gets – case in point, the ongoing Klein mansion restaurant quagmire.

What do people like about downtown? Two traits immediately come to mind – historical and small-town feel.

Without downtown, it’s doubtful Chaska would even strive to become the “best small town in Minnesota.” Instead, we’d be trying to shake off the “suburban” moniker like skunk stink on a wet dog.

Historic and small-town feel are perhaps our strongest traits. But there are others – so let’s build on them.

History

By Doug Schanzenbach

What are we going to do with all of these old people? I am a leading-edge baby boomer who has spent the last 10 years or so dealing with aging parents, health insurance that isn’t really insurance, and subtle job discrimination.

I have some thoughts about how the city of Chaska can deal with its elderly citizens. By addressing their issues and extending their productivity, it might turn an anticipated drain on the city’s resources into an asset.

Two things to remember when addressing downtown Chaska: Keep it practical and keep it affordable.

It’s tough be a skeptic when downtown already has a load of challenges. However, sometimes dreaming has to take a back seat to hard, cold reality.

There have been a number of ideas tossed around to draw traffic downtown. The key is to weigh cost versus benefits of these ideas.

Here’s a few we have our doubts about.

The days are unseasonably bright and warm. Hordes of people are walking and talking along the levee trail. The treacherous Highway 41, in a rare Mr. Hyde/Dr. Jekyll switch, has transformed into the pleasant Chestnut Street.

Tommy’s Malt Shop, a downtown restaurant, has been pushed to overcapacity, with some customers taking in the sun from patio seating.

Sitting on a patio in downtown? Usually the truck braking and car buzzing is too loud to even carry on a patio conversation.

Pinch me, I’m dreaming.

Editor's Note: In a series of "Downtown Turnaround" editorials, the Herald is offering ideas to improve downtown Chaska. Join the discussion by posting your own comments or e-mailing [email protected]. This editorial was first published in the March 18 print edition of the Chaska Herald. Read the first editorial in the series here; and the second here.

Sometimes new businesses opening in downtown are their own worst enemy.

Editor's Note: In a series of "Downtown Turnaround" editorials, the Herald is offering ideas to improve downtown Chaska. Join the discussion by posting your own comments or e-mailing [email protected]. This editorial was first published in the March 11 print edition of the Chaska Herald. Read the first editorial in the series here.