Council: Prince’s Paisley Park museum can open permanently

CHANHASSEN, Minn. (AP) — Prince’s Paisley Park recording studio and home will begin operating as a permanent museum this week, following a Minnesota city council rezoning vote.

The Chanhassen City Council signed off on the rezoning request Monday, but also will require a traffic study to address concerns from council members and residents about pedestrian safety, traffic and parking, the Star Tribune reported.

Earlier this month, the council tabled the request by the trust company overseeing the late superstar’s estate, a move that nearly delayed the museum’s Oct. 6 opening before a temporary operating permit was granted.

The museum’s website said tours will begin again Friday.

Mayor Denny Laufenburger told the newspaper that he was pleased with the city council’s decision, calling it a “big benefit for the community.”

But St. Paul resident Shelia Claytor, who was one of 30 people to attend Monday’s meeting, said everything was “a rush job.”

The museum, which displays Prince’s guitars, “Purple Rain” motorcycle and his ashes in a decorative urn, is expected to draw 600,000 people a year.

“Prince’s museum is going to outlive us all,” said Joel Weinshanker with Graceland Holdings, which is overseeing the museum.

Prince died April 21 of an accidental overdose at Paisley Park, a 65,000-square-foot complex outside of the Twin Cities area.