Chaska is moving forward with plans to develop a job hub near downtown, in hopes of spurring job growth in the southwest metro suburb.

The city is in talks with United Properties to redevelop the former Chaska Building Center site, which has gone unused since 2010.

The city is collaborating with United Properties to build a 100,000 square foot building on the 8-acre site that would house office and light industrial space.

Once the city signs off on the purchase agreement, United Properties could start construction on the property as soon as the spring.

Mayor Mark Windschitl said he hopes the job center will drive daytime traffic to the growing city. Office spaces next to Cuzzy's Brick House could also draw more customers to the bar and grill for lunch.

"We want this to be a job site," he said. "It's something we have been looking forward to getting completed since I became mayor."

A portion of the Chaska Building Center property already has been redeveloped for townhouses. The city plans to add more homes in 2016.

United Properties submitted an application to the planning commission for review in January, said Liz Hanson, Chaska city planner.

"We are actually having some sufficient plans coming through showing the development on this lot," she said. "It is very exciting for the city to see it's finally moving forward."

Beatrice Dupuy • 612-673-1707