Chanhassen, Mpls. Plan Permanent Prince Memorials
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As people around the world celebrate music icon Prince, his neighbors are figuring out how to honor him at home.
The fence outside Paisley Park in Chanhassen has become a temporary memorial for the legendary Minnesotan.
"He's not just a world icon, he was Minnesota and especially Chanhassen," said Prince fan Brandon Schmidt. "He was out hero, our star."
The city of Chanhassen is thinking long term, and has asked residents to use its Facebook page to come up with ideas for a permanent way to honor Prince.
"I think it'd be great to have a museum and contemplation trials out here and walk around, since he was such a big part of the state," said fan Michael Lyndelien.
The top suggestion Chanhassen has gotten from its residents is to turn Paisley Park into a museum.
Others think the city should buy his land around Lake Ann and rename it "Prince Park."
Setting up a scholarship fund for a music student or renaming Audubon Road after Prince are other ideas from residents.
"Maybe some sort of plaque or something that listed some of his most famous lyrics," said fan Allison Schmidt. "Somewhere you can go and reflect and remember what you loved about him."
Minneapolis residents say Prince should also have a permanent memorial in his birth city.
"I think some sort of memorial, at least at First Avenue," said fan Kristy Wesson.
Mayor Betsy Hodges is a big Prince fan. Her conference room in city hall is named after him.
Hodges says she spoke with the Prince camp months before his death to try to come up with a way to honor him.
Hodges says she is sad Prince is not here to feel all the love, but says she will continue talks with his family about a permanent tribute when the time is right.
Chanhassen hopes its residents turn to the city's Facebook page to leave ideas for what kind of memorial they want.
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