A collaborative effort between the Idaho Transportation Department and Northern Lakes Fire District has paved the way for construction of a new fire station in the town of Garwood, bringing expanded emergency response capabilities to a rapidly growing area in northern Kootenai County, ID.
[Above photo by ITD]
The agency said in a statement that it officially deeded a parcel of land to the fire district in September 2025 following several months of coordination to ensure all requirements for the transfer were met.
Originally part of a larger parcel acquired during design and construction of a new highway overpass, ITD said it ended up not needing this particular patch for its transportation project – a patch that tuned out to be an ideal site for a public safety facility, turning what would have remained bare land into a community asset.
ITD said the land deal began in June 2025 when Northern Lakes Fire District approached ITD about acquiring the no-longer needed parcel as it needed a permanent fire station to replace its soon-to-be closed temporary facility; especially as it prepared to hire nine new firefighters using 2026 levy funding and needed a place to house personnel and equipment.
To move the process forward, the Northern Lakes Fire District coordinated with Kootenai County commissioners and Lakes Highway District to confirm it could meet development requirements, including securing a conditional use permit and establishing access agreements.
Marvin Fenn, ITD’s assistant engineer at the time, and Stacy Simkins – the department’s right-of-way agent – worked closely with the fire district to outline what documentation and assurances headquarters would need before considering approval of the land transfer.
After those steps were completed, ITD granted official approval in late August 2025. Simkins finalized the deed process, recorded it with the county, and delivered the completed paperwork to the fire district in early September 2025. Construction is expected to begin soon, with completion anticipated in 2027, marking the transformation of remnant right-of-way into critical public safety infrastructure that will serve the community for years to come.
The new station addresses a long-identified need for improved response coverage in the northern portion of the district.
According to Fire Chief Kevin Croffoot, call volume has increased approximately 25 percent over the past five years, and the new station will help crews reach emergencies more quickly.
The land donation also significantly reduced project costs, allowing the district to keep the estimated $1 million construction project within its existing budget without adding tax burden for residents.
Finally, the presence of a staffed station in the area may also help lower insurance premiums for nearby homeowners, ITD said.
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