SPRING GROVE, Minn. — A $1.5 million federal rural development has been awarded this Houston County city toward a new fire station. City Administrator Jana Elton said the grant comes after three years of applications. “It’s just been a true trial of patience,” Elton told a KTTC interviewer. Still needed is $1 million. The campaign for a new firehall became clear after a December 2022 fire that destroyed three downtown buildings. Sub-freezing temperatures froze firefighting equipment. “Everything was freezing that night, and things were breaking,” Elton said. Firefighters finally bulldozed the buildings to get control. Fire Chief Andrew Melbostad said the equipment was frozen up because some fire trucks wouldn’t fit in the current station to thaw out. Fire tucks still are double-stacked into garages — a dangerous setup, Melbostad said. Plans call for the new fire station at 600 Maple Drive on the East End near the community pool and basketball courts with a public drinking fountain and restrooms. Ground-breaking is planned for spring.
