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Chaska approves MOU with Trident Development to start predevelopment at City Square West
Summary
The City of Chaska and its Economic Development Authority approved a memorandum of understanding with Trident Development LLC on Dec. 15 to begin evaluation and predevelopment work for the City Square West redevelopment site. The agreement begins a multi‑phase process that could use TIF or other financing if the project advances.
The City of Chaska and the Chaska Economic Development Authority voted Dec. 15 to approve a memorandum of understanding with Trident Development LLC to begin evaluation, concept design and predevelopment work for the City Square West site. The council approved the MOU on a motion from Council Member Grau with a second from Council Member Hatfield; the related EDA action passed later the same night.
City staff said the MOU establishes three phases: an evaluation and concept phase to test site feasibility and preliminary costs; a predevelopment phase for planning, financing discussions and detailed design; and, if feasible, a development phase that would include property acquisition, demolition and construction. Elise, a city staff member who presented the item, told the council the MOU is intended to clarify roles and responsibilities so the city and developer can proceed with shared expectations and avoid duplicated effort.
Roger Fink of Trident Development told the council his firm submitted to a 2020 RFP for the site and has continued work on concepts and cost estimates. “We’re already on the ground,” Fink said, thanking city staff for what he described as a collaborative process and saying Trident has assembled consultants and a commercial retail partner to help advance designs.
Council members framed City Square West as a downtown catalyst that could combine public programming, market and affordable housing, retail and parking. Staff noted potential financing tools, including tax increment financing (TIF) and other sources; any use of TIF or specific incentives would return to the council and EDA for separate approvals.
The motion that authorized the mayor and city administrators to execute the MOU carried by voice vote. The EDA later approved a matching action and authorized its president and executive director to sign the three‑party MOU.
What’s next: staff said a concept plan would return to the council as it becomes available, and that the MOU does not itself obligate the city to any development incentives. If the project proceeds, future items could include specific development agreements, financing agreements and formal plan reviews.
