About
How Building Forward Took Shape
The Building Forward initiative grew from years of facility assessments, planning, and community input about how the City of Golden Valley could continue providing reliable, safe, and efficient city services. The timeline below highlights the major studies and decisions that informed the initiative and moved its projects forward.
2026 - The City took ownership of the East Fire Station site. To move the East Fire Station project along, the City secured an additional $2 million in state funding, hired Terra Construction for construction manager at risk (CMAR) services, and hired Leo A Daly for architecture and engineering services. The City also hired SEH, Inc. to design and reconstruct Lilac Dr, and acquired 6110 Olson Memorial Hwy to complete the future Public Works Campus site.
2025 - The City advanced several major site and planning decisions: It selected 1875 Lilac Dr N for the East Fire Station, acquired the first property for the future Public Works Campus, and selected the architect Perkins&Will Minneapolis to lead the Civic Center Campus master planning. The City also completed a study on the Public Works space needs.
2024 - The voter-approved 1.25% local sales tax went into effect on April 1, 2024.
2023 - State lawmakers authorized the City of Golden Valley to ask voters about a local sales tax for Public Works and Public Safety improvements. On November 7, voters approved a 1.25% local sales tax. The City also received $3.172 million in state grant funding to support the East Fire Station project.
2021 - The task force gathered community input and presented recommendations to the City Council. The Municipal Facilities Master Plan Study was completed in December 2021, combining the City’s long-term goals and needs assessments to create plans for the future of downtown Golden Valley and its facilities.
2020 - The City created a Facilities Study Task Force — made up of residents, business leaders, City staff, and a Planning Commission representative — to engage Golden Valley’s community and evaluate how aging public buildings could better support City services and future downtown development.
2016 - A study of Golden Valley fire and rescue operations recommended moving from a paid, three-station on-call model to a two-station duty-crew model. The study identified the need for a fire station along the Hwy 100 corridor.
Interested in learning more? Dig into additional Building Forward history here.
Where Building Forward stands today
Building Forward is moving through the planning and design processes on several tracks at once. Each project has its own schedule and decision points. This page provides a quick look at the latest progress and what residents can expect next.
Public Works Campus
On August 1, the City of Golden Valley acquired 6110 Olson Memorial Hwy, the second of two properties needed for its future Public Works Campus, clearing the way for the next phase of planning and design. The 15-acre campus also includes 6100 Olson Memorial Hwy.
On July 7, the City released two requests for professional services for construction manager at risk (CMAR) services and architectural/engineering design services. Any contracts for CMAR and design services will require City Council action, likely in late fall or early winter 2026.
East Fire Station
The East Fire Station project is continuing through the design phase. Design work is anticipated to go through spring 2027, followed by bidding and construction.
The City is also currently conducting studies and soil testing to plan for building demolition.
Civic Center Campus
The City held several public engagement events in summer 2026 to gather feedback on four Civic Center Campus concept scenarios. Thank you to the over 800 community members who attended an open house or met us at the Golden Valley Farmer’s Market. The project team, including City and County staff, are reviewing and analyzing feedback received.