Hey Chanhassen! Easter is this week, Cars & Caves season opens in April, and we just hit 400 subscribers — meaning roughly 1.5% of the entire city is now reading this newsletter. At this rate we'll have all 26,000 Chanhassen residents by 2028. No pressure. Lots to cover this week. Here's what's chanhappenin'.
Missed last week's issue? We covered the story every Chanhassen resident needs to know about — Old St. Hubert Church, the last original building in downtown Chanhassen, is facing demolition. Read it here.
If the story moved you, the most important thing you can do right now is sign the petition to save it. Every name matters — sign here.
We'll continue following this story every week and will bring you updates as they develop. This one isn't over.
Before she became one of Hollywood's biggest stars, which Academy Award-nominated actress spent several seasons performing on stage right here in Chanhassen?
Scroll down for the answer
Chanhassen AutoPlex — The Secret World Behind the Garage Doors
The Chanhassen AutoPlex is the first-of-its-kind private garage condominium community in Minnesota. Its 120 owners use their garage condos to store over 400 vehicles — collector cars, classics, exotics, and motorcycles — many of which they restore and showcase right here in Chanhassen. But these aren't ordinary garages. Behind the gates, owners have transformed their spaces into extraordinary retreats featuring custom bars, lounges, theater systems, golf simulators, and themed designs that rival luxury homes.
The good news? You don't have to own one to experience it. Every last Saturday of the month from April through September, the AutoPlex opens its doors for Cars & Caves — a free public car show featuring over 300 vehicles displayed across the sprawling campus, from antiques and muscle cars to exotics and vintage motorcycles. Past shows have featured everything from classic Corvettes and Ferraris to the Batmobile, the Green Hornet, and the armored truck from Mission Impossible III. Each show is also tied to a local charity, with visitors invited to make a voluntary contribution at the door.
It's one of the most unique things happening in Chanhassen all summer — and it's completely free.
Cars & Caves 2026: Last Saturday of each month, April–September · 9am–1pm · Free admission · 8150 Audubon Rd · chanhassenautoplex.com
City Center Park Rendering, City of Chanhassen
City Hall Phase 2 — Coming This Summer
If you haven't visited the new City Hall yet, it's worth the trip. Phase II construction is currently underway on the former City Hall site, with the stage structure and park pavilion taking shape. The new downtown park — featuring a music stage, splash fountain, skate park, and pickleball courts — is expected to be completed by summer 2026. Downtown Chanhassen is going to look very different by fall. More info here.
Utility Rates Are Going Up in 2026 — Here's How Much
If your water and sewer bill looks a little higher this year, it's not your imagination. The City Council approved rate increases for 2026 — water rates up 5%, sewer rates up 8.5%, and stormwater rates up 15%. The sewer increase is largely driven by a fee hike from the Metropolitan Council, while stormwater funding supports ongoing pond maintenance, creek stabilization, and drainage infrastructure across the city. Not the news anyone wants, but infrastructure doesn't maintain itself.
Your Fire Station Is 59 Years Old — The City Is Starting to Ask What's Next
The City Council reviewed a Fire Station Space Needs Assessment during a recent work session, examining whether the existing fire station — originally constructed in 1967 — can continue to meet modern operational and safety needs as Chanhassen grows. The assessment explored options including remodeling the current station, constructing a new facility, or transitioning to a two-station model. No decisions have been made — this is early stage planning — but it's a conversation worth watching as the city continues to grow.
Chanhassen 2050 — The City Is Planning Its Next Chapter
The city is beginning work on the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, a once-per-decade roadmap that will shape decisions about land use, roads, water systems, housing, parks, trails, and natural resources for the decades ahead. Updated projections show slower residential growth than previously anticipated, with lower population and household estimates through 2050, while employment growth remains steady. Residents will have opportunities to weigh in as the process gets underway — and the more voices involved, the better the outcome. Stay tuned for public input opportunities.
This one came across our radar on Nextdoor this week and we couldn't not share it.
“There are still good people in the world! I went on a walk down W 78th Street this afternoon and dropped some cash out of my back pocket. Another walker found it and gave it to the owner of the house I dropped it in front of. That gentleman hopped in his car and caught up with me to return it! Thank you Chanhassen friends! Thought we could use a little good news for a change!”
— Anonymous, Nextdoor
We’re Raising the Stakes
Every week we'll feature the best act of kindness, generosity, or community spirit happening right here in Chanhassen. The best submission each week gets a $10 gift card to a local business — think coffee shop, restaurant, and more.
Did a neighbor shovel your driveway without being asked? Did a stranger pay it forward at The O.G. Coffee & Wine Bar? Did someone go out of their way to make your day a little better?
Send your story to [email protected] — a sentence or two is all it takes.
Easter Egg Candy Hunt · Saturday April 4 · 9:00–11:00AM · City Center Park · Two hunt waves at 9 AM and 10 AM for kids 12 and under · Easter Bunny appearance · $6 per child · Pre-registration required — register here before spots fill up.
Full Pink Moon Hike at the Arboretum · Thursday April 2 · 8:00–10:30PM · Minnesota Landscape Arboretum · A self-guided evening hike under the glow of the Full Pink Moon — April's full moon is named for the pink moss phlox that blooms this time of year. A 0.75-mile path around Green Heron Pond will be lit with pink uplights, illuminating the surrounding landscape. Tickets required — arb.umn.edu
Happenin’ Every Week
Trivia Mafia at Hackamore Brewing · Wednesdays · 7:00PM · Hackamore Brewing — check triviamafia.com/hackamore for the current schedule and theme nights.
Two Pints & A Pizza · Hackamore Brewing · Good beer, good food, and a golf simulator · Check hackamorebrewing.com for current schedule.
Live Music at Moe's Char House · Every Saturday · 6:00–9:30PM · Great food, handcrafted drinks, and live acoustic music. A perfect low-key Saturday night.
Live Music at Brindisi's Pub · Every Tuesday · 6:00–8:30PM · Right next door to Chanhassen Dinner Theatres · Dog friendly patio when weather allows · Happy hour 2–6 PM.
Tot Time Open Gym · Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday · 8:00–11:30AM · Chanhassen Recreation Center · $4–$4.50 per child · One of the best kept secrets in Chanhassen for parents of young kids — more info here.
Happenin’ Soon
Chanhassen Lions Club Pancake Breakfast · Sunday April 12 · 9:00AM–12:00PM · Hackamore Brewing · Pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and milk · $10 adults · $5 kids 10 & under · Fire department & truck will be there between 10:00-11:00AM.
Girls Flag Football Clinic · Thursdays April 16–30 · Chanhassen Recreation Center · 3-week clinic for girls of all skill levels · Registration open now — Register here
Garden Tool Swap · Saturday April 26 · 10:00AM–12:00PM · Outside the Chanhassen Recreation Center · Free · Bring unneeded shovels, rakes, pots, planters, garden decor — take what you need. No need to bring anything to participate.
Cars & Caves — Opening Day · Saturday April 25 · 9:00AM–1:00PM · Chanhassen AutoPlex · Free and open to the public · 300+ vehicles · Benefits Wishes & More · chanhassenautoplex.com
Village Hall 1940’s and Today, Chanhassen Historical Society
Have an old Chanhassen photo sitting in a drawer or a family album? Send it to [email protected] - we’d love to feature it in a future issue and tell the story behind it.
Amy Adams — Before the red carpets and Oscar nominations, Amy Adams was right here in Chan — performing on the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres stage from 1996 to 1999. She went on to earn her first Academy Award nomination for Junebug and became a household name with Enchanted, American Hustle, and Arrival. Not a bad career arc for someone who got their start just down the street.