See all posts in the Mayor & Cities Corner series
(Chanhassen Corner is a regular feature where Chanhassen officials and various staff and contributors will share updates, insights, and messages with their communities. Communications Manager, Patrick Gavin is providing the current edition.)
Chanhassen’s original City Hall, built in 1981, has served the community for over four decades. During that time, the city has grown significantly—both in population and in the services it provides. A comprehensive facilities study conducted in 2021 to 2022 confirmed what many had long suspected: the space was no longer meeting the needs of residents or city operations.
The study, conducted by Snow Kreilich Architects and Kraus Anderson, evaluated not just the building’s condition but also its long-term viability. Deferred maintenance issues included water intrusion, failing HVAC systems, accessibility challenges and outdated infrastructure.
The building’s Facility Condition Index scored in the “critical” range, with a long list of necessary upgrades ranging from elevator repairs to window and roof replacements. In short, bringing the existing building up to modern standards would have cost from $16 to 18 million.
Given the scale of these issues—and the opportunity to design a building that could serve Chanhassen well into the future—the City Council determined that constructing a new City Hall as part of a broader civic campus was the most cost-effective and future-focused approach. The estimated cost of building new was only slightly higher, at $20 to 24 million and allowed for a fresh start that prioritized flexibility, public accessibility and community gathering space.
But this wasn’t just about improving office space. From the start, the vision was to create a true civic campus—a central hub that would reinvigorate downtown Chanhassen and better serve residents of all ages. The new facility will include not only administrative offices and council chambers, but also a modern senior center and adjacent park amenities, including a splash pad, playground, performance space and pickleball courts.
Construction began in 2024 with the new City Hall scheduled to open later this year. What began as a necessary update to aging infrastructure has evolved into a once-in-a-generation investment in the heart of Chanhassen—a space designed not just for city staff, but for the entire community.
April 2025 drone shots of Chanhassen City Hall construction site
