Instead of talking about how the buildings look and historical features why doesn't this taskforce figure out how our businesses can thrive in Chaska and how can we attract new businesses and jobs.

If this is what this group is going to focus upon they might as well disband.

This taskforce should be meeting every week until we see some progress on revitalizing our downtown.

Get to work before our downtown dies!

What are the current incentives for businesses to be located downtown? (Featured on the internet somewhere, help with store planning, discounted rental rates based on sales?) Are there different incentives for different types of businesses to attract more target businesses?

Currently, the neighbors you would gain include second hand stores, chiropractors and insurance agents. Not exactly foot traffic/window shopper drivers for a retail environment. And not the most ideal from a client meeting standpoint.

The traffic being driven currently is either individuals who are probably not going to spend much money or individuals headed in for an appointment and leaving once they're done. Are there any incentives that can be given to stores that are currently driving traffic and thriving to move to a more visible location on 41? When people see others going in and out of a place it drives curiosity.

Is downtown looking to become a business focused destination or a retail focused destination? If foot traffic is the goal then it seems it would need to be a retail focused area. And if that's the case then it needs to be a pleasant window shopping experience during the summer and still easy to navigate and get to the stores in the winter with easy to find parking. It's great that the buildings themselves are getting a facelift, but what's in those buildings needs to be appealing too. Perhaps part of the responsibility with being a downtown retailer means that the storefront displays have to be kept to a certain set of standards. Any signage/display appearing in the windows should be approved first, no displays on the sidewalks, no handwritten/paper signs in the windows, no florescent signage etc.

How do the people find out about what's downtown? The current "Shop Downtown Chaska" web page is currently very dated looking and doesn't give any quality information on what the stores are. Going to a page like that would make me decide not to go there. My first thought was, 'the city obviously doesn't care to give these places a decent listing, so why should I go?' It'd be great if it worked more like a directory sorted by category, then once a business is clicked you see a location map, a description, phone number and any images of what kinds of products that store offers. Comments from shoppers or recommendations. Or even a downtown map with the stores and parking marked. Can the "shopping district" of downtown Chaska have it's own website? Can it look like a higher end mall website? Placing a quality look around the way people find out what's available for shopping will give viewers the impression that the shopping is quality as well. Keeping the site updated with current shops would allow the public to keep up with what's still opened as well. Shops could advertise their specials/special events.

I grew up in Chaska, I still work in the Chaska area and I have seen the changes that have taken place in the place 20+ years. I remember when the Mix used to be Embers and J's before that. I remember fish fry's and live music and Butch's and parades down Walnut Street. Now however, there is nothing that is preventing downtown from moving north. On-Topic, Tanyaaswan, and Debbie all have valid points; there are no incentives for businesses (retail or professional) to locate downtown. Upgrading our walking paths and biking paths will not help save or preserve our downtown. Sure reconnecting the old bike path to the Louisville Swamps trials will help bring outdoor enthusiasts back to the area but what will keep them.

Chaska needs to support its locally owned businesses. For example the City of Northfield holds an annual winter walk where they close off Main Street for one night from 5 till 9. My wife and I attend this festivity and love it. All the business remain open and some give out free hot chocolate, kids sell popcorn and chex mix as a fundraiser; a local man gives sleigh rides; local bars have special meals; volunteers dress up; all in all it is a great night for businesses and residents a like. Understandably, Chaska is not suitable for something like that because shutting down Hwy 41 is not plausible but the point is Northfield does that for the local businesses. The City of Bemidji is building its state of the art Hockey Complex on the opposite side of the Lake Bemidji because it will encourage students, residents and visitors a like to drive through downtown. While the Taste of Chaska is great it really does not encourage people to actually walk around downtown. They park somewhere convenient, walk to the City Square Park and that is it.

I am not sure what the solution is or what it will take to save downtown but I feel it is going to take more than just building sidewalk and paths. We need to show local business owners that they are wanted in the downtown area.

Ran across this blog entry from Greg Swan. It was written in response to the Downtown Turnaround editorial series: http://gregswan.net/2010/03/09/chaska-needs-a-clear-brand-and-an-actiona...

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

Fireman's Park is not being utilized to it's full potential. The location is pretty high profile with Hwy 41 running along it's East. While the playground equipment is cute being all fireman themed, functionally it is one of the worst parks in the city, small neighborhood parks included. The playground excludes most small children from play because the only way to access the majority of the equipment is though the climbing of a ladder, a skill that small children lack. The swings at Fireman's park also are lacking and need to be replaced and expanded. Cosmetically, the equipment is sun-faded, not a big deal but doesn't add to the appeal.

I think Fireman's Park should be the crown jewel of the Chaska parks system given it's location, swimming, fishing, shelter and family area. Playground wise, Lions park is more utilized. If you go to Lions park on virtually any summer day, there will be kids and families who come and go from that park all day long. I think if Fireman's park had superior playground equipment to Lions park, then it would attract some of those from Lions. Additionally, I think if the park was unique such as Skyland play area at Cliff Fen Park in Burnsville, Chutes and Ladders at Hyland play area, or the monstrous Millennium Park in Lake Charles, LA, then there would be more of a area draw, or at least people stopping off of Hwy 41 to take a look.

Winter time the park is largely ignored. Perhaps a large ice rink could be constructed similar to what the City of Minneapolis does at various parks such as Van Cleve park. This move would perhaps draw away from Lions park ice rinks and a decision may need to be made if both spots are to be kept open.

Downtown needs things that make people want to go downtown because they can only get it from downtown. A unique park I think helps.