I am composing this post from our nation’s capital. I’m in Washington DC today attending the National League of Cities’ annual spring legislative affairs conference. I’m in a pre-conference session all afternoon today. The conference itself kicks off tonight followed by more conference sessions tomorrow, Sunday. Then on Monday and Tuesday, we hit The Hill and go meet our legislators. Council Member Sherry Butcher, Fire Chief Esbensen and I are here representing the City. We’ve got meetings lined up with Senator Coleman’s Office, Senator Klobuchar’s Office, Congressman Kline’s Office, Congressman Oberstar’s Office, and with 3rd District Congressman Jim Ramstad. Not his office. He himself. I’m especially looking forward to that one.
But all of that doesn’t have anything to do with this great photo. On Thursday night, the City dedicated it’s newest public building: Fire Station #4. Instead of cutting a ribbon to dedicate the new station, we drove truck #41 through this giant banner. It worked like a charm. The banner broke exactly where it was supposed to break and our Communications Supervisor Pat Brink snapped this great action photo. Thanks Pat.
Fire Station #4 is located at the intersection of Dell Road and TH 312. It is very prominent there. It is our fourth, and most likely our last, fire station. It is a beautiful building. And, so far, the building has come in under budget and ahead of schedule. I say “so far” because it’s not quite done. Close enough for a dedication ceremony, but there’s still a punch list for the contractor to finish up.
Like every building dedication I’ve ever attended there were many expressions of gratitude and appreciation shared. The Mayor was particularly eloquent in his appreciation of the dedication of our fire fighters. But I want to say just one more time how much I’ve appreciated the work of Assistant Fire Chief Steve Koering on this project. Chief Esbensen and I brought Steve into this project to be the City’s Project Manager. Steve is a very sharp guy, but had not really managed a public construction project before. He’s done a fantastic job. He has worked cooperatively with the contractor when that was important to do, but he has also been hard-nosed with everyone at the site when that was in the City’s best interest. In the end, we’re getting a beautiful new building thanks in no small part to Steve Koering.
