The southwest corner of Chaska Boulevard (old Highway 212) and Highway 41 is ready for a revamp. The City Council approved a concept plan and rezoning for the corner Monday night.

Plans call for a new 3,500-square-foot building to house Snyder’s Drugstore, as well as a 1,200-square-foot addition to Kelley’s Bar. The addition may house a restaurant or a separate tenant. Concept bids for the buildings are currently being sought by the developer.

The redevelopment will also result in an expansion of the alleyway leading to the site from Pine Street. The street will be widened to two lanes to facilitate entry. The other entrance will be located off of Chaska Boulevard while the Highway 41 access is expected to be closed.

The site is slated to have 30 parking spots which city staff feel is adequate considering the two businesses will likely have opposite peak hours.

Developer Chad Wiech has been encouraged to enhance the building plans for the site by including brick and other elements to match the character of downtown.

Across the street, the city is still working on a redevelopment plan for the Firemen’s Park corner. Interim City Administrator Matt Podhradsky told the council that there have been a couple of retail establishments and a couple of restaurants interested in the redevelopment.

Demolition on the Randy’s Auto and Ohnsorg Truck Body Manufacturing buildings is slated to occur within the next three to four weeks, Podhradsky said.

The city will hold off on doing anything with the Chaska Farm & Garden business until fall, when it is expected to move across the street, onto the Mill House Gallery property.

-Mollee Francisco, staff writer