Why was Fire Station 1 on New Brighton Blvd decommissioned? Could that station be used for the new proposed station location?

Fire Station 1, located in Southern Arden Hills on New Brighton Blvd, was decommissioned in 2017. The building itself is outdated for use as a fire station. It would require multiple upgrades to operate with the current 24/7 staffing model. It is also is in a poor geographic location in the far southwest corner of Arden Hills, making it difficult to provide fire protection to the rest of Arden Hills and the two other cities served by the Lake Johanna Fire Department—North Oaks and Shoreview. Additionally, the building is in the middle of a residential neighborhood, which would be highly impacted if the station were still in use. For these reasons, a plan was developed many years ago to close that station.

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1. Why does the fire department need a new station location at this time?
2. How did the fire department evolve from a total volunteer fire department to 24/7 duty crews?
3. Why is the Lake Johanna Fire Department considering a site near Bethel University’s Anderson Center?
4. When will the fire station be built?
5. The proposed location is on Pine Tree Drive. Is this road wide enough to accommodate a fire station?
6. Fire Station 4 at 3615 Victoria is less than 2 miles from the proposed Pine Tree location. Should the location be further south and west and let the Victoria station take care of the middle area?
7. How will residents near the Anderson Center be impacted?
8. What would happen to the trails on the Anderson Center property?
9. What impact will this have on the Crepeau Nature Preserve?
10. Why is Fire Station 4 being shuttered?
11. Information to date states that the new fire station will serve southern Arden Hills and Shoreview. Will the proposed new station also serve northern Arden Hills and Shoreview?
12. Why was Fire Station 1 on New Brighton Blvd decommissioned? Could that station be used for the new proposed station location?
13. Was the Pot O’ Gold site considered?
14. How does the Lake Johanna Fire Department Board make decisions?
15. How will the station be paid for?