Fire Station 2 at 10601 Xerxes Ave. has been in service since 1968, and the city says it has "reached the end of its useful life." It doesn't have enough room for the department's equipment, and it doesn't meet the department's needs or the health and safety needs of firefighters.
The rebuild has been on the city's list for years. In October 2023, staff 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 the council through capital projects starting in the next 2 years, and Fire Station 2 comes first.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." At the time, the department was trying to keep crews in 4 or 5 of its stations most of the time.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNA fire department presenter says Station 2 usually goes unstaffed and is next in line to be rebuilt.09/30
Fire Station 2 was on the list of projects funded 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" and pointed to a couple of fires near their home.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNA council member says fires near their home show why the Station 2 rebuild can't wait.09/08
On April 13, 2026, the council approved CNH Architects' proposal 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.
The next step was hiring a construction manager, the firm that runs the building phase. The contract was item 3.8 on the consent agenda for the Oct. 26 council meeting. The council passes consent items in a single vote unless a member pulls one for separate discussion. The agenda didn't name the firm staff recommended or say what the contract would cost. As of this writing, the city's project page still doesn't name a construction manager.
The project also has to clear zoning review. Staff going over the capital plan with the Planning Commission said construction on the station is expected in 2027, and that zoning approvals could come before the commission before the end of this year. That hearing is the next public step.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNStaff tell the Planning Commission that Fire Station 2 construction is expected in 2027 and zoning approvals could come to them this year.10/29
If the city sticks to its schedule, design wraps up this winter and crews start on site in April 2027. The city says it will hold more informational sessions while the station is being designed, and it will post updates on the project page.
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.
From the meeting: Planning Commission Meeting, October 29, 2026.
