Is Grimes getting a new fire station?
The City of Grimes will build a new fire station. The likely location will be next to the current library in Waterworks Park. The City will evaluate whether any existing improvements or structures can be incorporated into the new station or if a new building will need to be built.
Why is this taking so long?
Determining where a fire station should go is a complicated process. The location must factor in how quickly crews can get to an emergency while also considering how Grimes will grow and expand. The City developed response models to identify possible locations for the new station.
The City of Grimes and Johnston have a joint fire department, which is laid out in a contract called a 28E agreement. The City of Grimes recently completed a study on continuing the joint fire department with Johnston. This was important to evaluate as the 28E expires next year. Negotiations on the 28E agreement are currently underway.
What is the Council voting on at the November 22, 2022, meeting?
At the November 22nd meeting, the Council will vote on hiring an Owner's Rep. This individual will help the City manage the large project of building a new fire station. This is a common practice for cities and there is currently an Owner's Rep on the new library building project.
When will the new station open?
We are in the very early stages of the process. The Council will need to hire design professionals, approve building designs, construction contracts, and more. This process could take 9-10 months. The construction of the station itself is approximately 15 months. This means that the new station could be open in 2025.