Why is the Lake Johanna Fire Department considering a site near Bethel University’s Anderson Center?

The Fire Department Board of Directors commissioned a needs assessment, which also reviewed response time models from the three current station locations. It was determined that a new station location should be located between Lexington Avenue and Snelling Avenue along County Road E., ideally in a commercial area rather than a residential neighborhood. The property needed to be 3-4 acres in size to accommodate 24/7 staffing and the necessary trucks and equipment.


In looking at that corridor, the only property that fit those requirements was the university property. The fire department approached Bethel to see if they would be open to selling some of their property. The identified location at Bethel is also attractive because it allows the trucks to go north to a major, controlled intersection, rather than south through residential neighborhoods. Trucks can control the intersection before they get to the intersection, rather than having to navigate a busy side street. Additionally, the location is south of the railroad tracks, so the trucks don’t need to wait for trains to pass.


Finally, other sites would have required multiple property acquisitions to get to the size needed, as well as demolition costs.

Show All Answers

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?