Mayor’s Minutes: Maple Grove’s Mark Steffenson

Mayor Mark Steffenson talked with CCX Media’s Dave Kiser for his quarterly Mayor’s Minutes interview, and he started off by praising the recent groundbreaking for the new Boston Scientific executive and research facility near the intersection of U.S. Highway 169 and Interstate 94.

The 400,000-square-foot facility will bring additional Boston Scientific employees to the region, in addition to the 4,000 employees that already work in the facility off Maple Grove Parkway. Maple Grove was up against a city in Georgia to get the investment from the company.

Maple Grove Mayor Mark Steffenson

“They chose us,” said Mayor Steffenson. “That means not only do we have this new facility, but our current employees are going to stay as well.”

Steffenson also talked about the city council’s look into the Capital Improvement Plan, where they examine the needs the city has in terms of building infrastructure and equipment.

“A good example is a fire engine that costs $1 million,” said Steffenson.  “The expected replacement cost is now $2 million. We have these astronomical increases in cost, and we have to budget appropriately.”

He also highlighted the upcoming Ice Castles, which have moved from New Brighton to Maple Grove in a plot of open land near Lifetime Fitness and Main Street. Construction has begun on the seasonal attraction.

“They’re ready to go,” he said.  “As soon as the weather is right, they’re going to build those ice castles.”

Mayor's Minutes