Fire Station 2 at 10601 Xerxes Ave. has been in service since 1968, and the city says it is "reaching the end of its useful life." It doesn't have enough room for the department's equipment, and it doesn't meet current standards for firefighter safety. That matters to anyone in the southwest corner of the city who might one day call 911.
The rebuild has been on the city's list for years. In October 2023, staff presenting the capital plan named Fire Station 2 first among the big projects expected to start within 2 years, ahead of a maintenance garage, the animal shelter and a Small Business Center.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNStaff walk through the capital plan, listing Fire Station 2 first among projects due to start in the next 2 years.10/30
In September 2024, a fire department presenter told the council that Station 2 is one the city usually doesn't staff, and that it is "one of the next ones up to be rebuilt." The department was trying to keep crews in 4 or 5 of its stations most of the time.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNA department presenter explains that Station 2 usually goes unstaffed and is next in line for a rebuild.09/30
The money question got sorted out in 2025. Fire Station 2 was on the list of projects paid for by the city's local option sales tax, along with the Nine Mile Creek corridor, possible improvements at Civic Plaza and roadwork. One council member said they were "still waiting for fire station 2 to get updated," pointing to a couple of fires near their home.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNStaff tell the Planning Commission that the Fire Station 2 rebuild is one of the projects funded by the local option sales tax.11/06
In April 2026 the council picked CNH Architects to design the station. The firm also designed the city's Fire Station 4. The city held a neighborhood meeting at the current station on Aug. 25. Under the city's schedule, design runs through winter 2027, construction runs from April 2027 to summer 2028, and the new station opens in summer 2028.
Next comes hiring the construction manager, the firm that runs the building phase. The agenda doesn't say which firm staff are recommending or what the contract would cost. The item sits on the consent agenda, which the council treats as routine business and passes in a single vote unless a council member asks to pull an item for separate discussion.
The council meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, in Council Chambers at Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road. The contract is item 3.8. If it passes, design continues through the winter and crews are scheduled to start on site in April 2027.
Questions about the project can go to Deputy Chief Jay Forster at 952-563-4812 or Capital Project Manager Deborah Williams at 952-563-4535. The city says it will hold more informational sessions while the station is being designed, so watch its project page for dates.
