Month: January 2018

With a high of 41 degrees today, it’s easy to forget that we’re still in the middle of winter. 

Residents will have another opportunity to provide input and comment on the proposed Broadway City Hall Project on Tuesday, February 20, at 7:00 p.m.  The City Council decided to move the public hearing date on the project, initially scheduled for January 16, after receiving revised budget estimates from Wold Architects and the City’s construction management firm, Kraus Anderson.  At the January 16 meeting, Wold and Kraus Anderson informed the City Council of increases to estimated project costs based on recent discussions and feedback provided by potential bidders on the project. 

As a result of the new bid estimates provided by the architect and construction manager, the City Council directed staff to move forward with recommendations to reduce the cost of the project by approximately $200,000.  The cost reductions include redesigning the roof section on the north side of the building, identifying cost effective interior finishes and building systems, and restructuring the bond/loan sale to reduce capitalized interest.        

These cost saving measures, coupled with an increase of $200,000 to the project budget, resolves the increase in estimated project costs recently presented by Wold and Kraus Anderson.  The end result moves the Broadway City Hall Project to a not to exceed budget of $4.95 million, which is up $200,000 from the previous budget of $4.75 million.  The impact of the Broadway City Hall Project to a resident with a $300,0000 home is $237/year, which is up $19 from the fall budget estimate.  The financing plan for the project also uses existing City funds to pay for a commercial kitchen upgrade in the new building, as well as renovation costs to temporarily relocate City Hall to the Fire Station during construction.

The new financing plan preserves the size and use of the interior spaces, as well as the exterior building design developed through the work of the Community Spaces Task Force, the Community Stakeholder Design Session, the Building Committee, and the Heritage Preservation Commission.  The project includes a street level multi-purpose room that can hold events for up to 200 people, a commercial kitchen, restroom facilities, a conference room and a lobby.  The second level floor plan includes office space, restroom facilities, conference rooms, a lobby, and City Council Chambers. 

Upon completion of the Capital Improvement Plan approval process, the current schedule anticipates advertisement of bids in late March, followed by construction in May, with the building expected to be completed in March of 2019.  

Residents and other community stakeholders will have an additional opportunity to voice their support of or opposition to the proposed Broadway City Hall Project at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 20, at 7:00 pm.

Project questions and comments can be shared with Brent Mareck, City Manager, at 952-448-8737 or by email at [email protected].  For more information, please visit the Broadway City Project Page on the City’s website by clicking here.

I was surprised to see that Mr. Weygand’s Jan. 4 letter “Pro-life and pro-choice” seemingly went unnoticed.

Anyone that’s had a coach in a sport, especially one at the high school level, will admit sometimes what they learned outside of the Xs and Os was what made them go farther.

Becky Truong is one of downtown Chaska’s newest business owners, purchasing a nail salon on Second Street in 2017.

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Carver County District Court did not violate a man’s right when it demanded his fingerprint to unlock his cell phone.

For nearly a decade, the Rev. Thomas Joseph has not only served as St. Nicholas Catholic Church priest, but also as a community resource for its congregation.

Chaska High School garnered several honors in this year’s Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards.

In contemporary social gatherings, it has recently become trendy to meet at a place serving beer or wine and put paint to canvas.

For many people in the United States, our personal family history stories originate in another land. There are two upcoming library programs that connect us to that past.

For many people in the United States, our personal family history stories originate in another land. There are two upcoming library programs that connect us to that past.

You may never have asked yourself which is more immediately dangerous: nuclear war or flu season — but you might find the answer isn’t as straightforward as you’d think.

“When I didn’t make the team, I thought it was over. I never expected to have a second chance.”

Telford Sturgis was barely a year old when he was diagnosed with a form of leukemia.

Congressman Tom Emmer announced Wednesday he is seeking re-election for Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House.

Get ready to get funky … again.

Students from Chaska and Chanhassen high schools are scheduled to compete in a regional competition for the National Science Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 20. 

As long as your kids bundle up when it turns to tundra they should be off to a good start in Minnesota, according to a new study.

As long as your kids bundle up when it turns to tundra they should be off to a good start in Minnesota, according to a new study.

The access road to downtown Minneapolis from I-35W will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.