Chaska EDA authorizes $30,400 contract for downtown activation plan

The Chaska Economic Development Authority (EDA) on Jan. 6 authorized the executive director to negotiate and the president to execute a contract with the Musicant Group to develop a downtown activation plan for an amount not to exceed $30,400.

City staff described the work as a place-making and activation effort focused on areas rebuilt as part of the Highway 41 project, including new widened sidewalks and a Paseo network. Elise, a city staff member leading the presentation, said the scope includes stakeholder engagement with downtown businesses and the Downtown Business Alliance, space assessments, a toolkit of programming and physical improvement recommendations, pilot planning, and implementation support. Staff said the EDA’s professional services line in its budget contains sufficient funds to cover the contract cost.

Commissioners asked how the city will define success. Staff and commissioners suggested success measures would include businesses using the toolkit to implement programming, increased pedestrian activity in the downtown Paseos, and, ultimately, improved revenues for downtown businesses. Commissioners also asked about procurement; staff said the Musicant Group was not the subject of a competitive solicitation for this contract but has prior experience with similar local projects and has worked regionally on comparable downtown activations.

The planned timeline provided in the discussion calls for engagement beginning in January, development of the activation plan in February–March, and pilot programming in the spring with data gathering through September. Commissioners and staff noted the Downtown Business Alliance has expressed enthusiasm and potential financial support for programming.

Commissioner Hatfield moved to authorize the contract not to exceed $30,400; Commissioner Benesch seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with commissioners saying “aye.”