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Chaska and Carver County outline joint plan for new library and design process
Summary
Chaska presented a joint design timeline and budget framework for a proposed ~35,000‑sq‑ft library adjacent to the county license center; the city hopes to start design later this year with construction in 2028 and county staff estimate a $4M one‑time contribution and 7 FTEs for operations.
City of Chaska leaders and Carver County staff presented a joint library‑design kickoff that would re‑site and expand local library services and require coordinated design, community engagement and a shared funding conversation.
The mayor of Chaska, Elise, told the board the library is now undersized for the city’s needs and the city is pursuing a multi‑building facilities program. City staff member Matt said planning work aims for a roughly 35,000‑square‑foot library — roughly comparable to Chanhassen’s facility — and stressed design choices that affect staffing and lifecycle costs. “We’ve had a relatively undersized library for quite some time,” Matt said, adding that the city is starting design about nine months earlier than past projects to make room for public engagement.
Design and cost frame: City presenters described an 18‑month design process with an architect selected via RFP, a library task force (city and county members), and multiple open houses. The city’s early construction estimate is about $19 million. Carver County staff said the county’s initial one‑time contribution is roughly $4 million (estimate subject to change) and that county operations (staff, collections, technology) would be county responsibilities; county staff said their preliminary operating estimate is seven FTEs, but cautioned the final number depends on the building design and service model.
Why it matters: Commissioners said design choices — single vs. two‑story plans, number of entrances and program spaces — have large long‑term effects on staffing and maintenance costs. Several commissioners urged the project team to consider alternatives (shared parking, multiuse community programming, and phased construction) to limit levy pressure. “Those are all things that we have to work out as we look at staffing in the library,” county staff said, noting state maintenance‑of‑effort rules that affect systemwide library operations.
Community process and schedule: The city plans to recruit an 8‑member library task force and a staff design group that includes two county staff; the RFP for an architect will be released in late April, with interviews in May and design work starting in late May (architect selection permitting). City staff said construction bidding could occur in early 2028 with a potential opening in late 2029 under the current schedule.
Next steps: Commissioners were asked to identify a county commissioner and other members for the task force; county staff said they will return with refined cost and staffing options during upcoming budget discussions.
