Discussion:
In early 2016 the City of Shakopee began exploring building a third fire station in the southeast region of the city. This and the surrounding area is experiencing continual and significant growth which has exceeded the Shakopee Fire Department’s emergency response capacity. As part of the city's mutual and auto aid with neighboring Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Prior Lake and Savage, this station would enable better response times to them and the Southbridge area of Shakopee. The purposed fire station will serve as primary fire protection to over 10,000 residents living within the immediate three-mile radius of the station and $1.45 billion in real property value. The station will also be the principal medical first response to the area. The purposed station will be built at 1840 Pike Lake Road which is located at the northwest corner of the intersection Eagle Creek Boulevard and County Road 21 in the city.
Every year, the governor of Minnesota's capital budget focuses on critical projects and strategic investments across the state. One critical area is investing in projects which address life and safety issues. A new fire station addresses both of those issues. The cost of a new fire station is estimated to be approximately $5.5 million with a typical timeline of 18-24 months to allow for completion of space needs assessment, design, bidding, contractor award and construction. The City of Shakopee will provide a 50% match of $1.3 million in real estate value and $2.1 million in cash. The application to the 2018 capital budget requests funding for the city's match of $3.4 million.