Woodbury Celebrates Collaboration with Public Safety Groundbreaking

Last updated May 13, 2026

TL/DR –

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Public Safety Complex in Woodbury, Minnesota, attended by Mayor Anne Burt and other local dignitaries. The project, expected to cost around $60 million, will renovate and expand the existing public safety building, with completion expected in 2028. The funding for the project primarily comes from a voter-approved 0.5% local sales tax, expected to generate $50 million, supplemented by federal grants, rebates, city funds, and a slight increase in property tax for residents.

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Woodbury Breaks Ground on New Public Safety Complex

The city of Woodbury marked the commencement of a significant project on May 8. The city’s Mayor Anne Burt, along with other key dignitaries, attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Public Safety Complex.

The Public Safety Complex, an ambitious project with an estimated budget of $60 million, involves the expansion and renovation of the current public safety building located on Radio Drive. The project has received substantial support, from both Woodbury and Minnesota’s elected leaders, which was demonstrated by the variety of public representatives present at the ceremony.

Among the guests were 4th District Rep. Betty McCollum and 2nd District Rep. Angie Craig, who represent Woodbury in Congress, along with State Sen. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger and Woodbury state Reps. Shelley Buck and Ethan Cha.

McCollum highlighted the combined effort involved in the project, saying, “This is a coordinated effort not only in our federal offices, but with state and local governments, and with the voters to get the referendum passed.”

She added, “As this community has grown, so have the demands for public safety, whether it’s police or fire or EMS. You are watching that accelerate here. With the help of federal financing, Woodbury has secured $1 million toward the building and technology for its new Public Safety Campus.”

Craig lauded the collaboration between city, state, and federal officials, and commended the Woodbury Public Safety Department for pushing the project forward. She emphasized the importance of providing necessary resources to ensure community safety.

Representing Sen. Tina Smith, Jack Smyth appreciated the unseen support systems for first responders, including communication systems, buildings, and advanced technology that enable prompt response to emergencies. Smyth highlighted that the new project would enhance these tools and consolidate them under one roof for a better, faster response effort.

Also in attendance were Washington County Commissioners Stan Karowski and Karla Bigham, former City Administrator Clint Gridley, former Public Safety Director Lee Vague, and several members of city community organizations like the Woodbury Community Foundation, SoWashCo CARES, and Woodbury Thrives.

Mayor Burt added a unique touch to the groundbreaking ceremony by asking all those present to sign a beam to commemorate the occasion, instead of the traditional ribbon signing at such events. She also announced that both the refurbished and expanded Public Safety Building and the new water treatment plant of Woodbury are slated for completion in 2028.

Jack McGregor, representing Sen. Amy Klobuchar, read her statement, which emphasized the importance of the new facility for Woodbury’s growth. She stated that the public safety campus would provide the necessary resources, infrastructure, and support for officers to keep the community safe.

Public Safety Campus Project Funding

The project is primarily funded by a voter-approved 0.5% local sales tax, which is expected to generate $50 million. This began to be levied in April 2025. Additional financial support comes from federal grants, rebates, and city funds.

The funding breakdown is as follows:

Local option sales tax: $50 million (expected within 8-20 years)
Department of Justice grant: $1 million
Inflation Reduction Act funds: $975,000
City Capital Improvement Budget: $3.2 million
City General Fund: $1.3 million
Property tax adjustment: Estimated $13 annual increase for the average household, to cover remaining costs

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