Story posted Thursday, June 18, 2009
New Cop Shop By 2011?
By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor
Palatine residents are one step closer to a brand new police station after councilmen Monday approved a $1.49 million contract with Deerfield-based SRBL Architects, Ltd. for architectural and construction services.
Village Manager Reid Ottesen hopes to break ground next spring on the 71,500 sq. ft., $22 million headquarters on the current Sears Plaza site near Northwest Hwy. and Hicks Road and have the station operating by 2011.
As part of the village's 2009 Capital Improvement Program, funding was provided to begin the process of designing a new police headquarters.
The current police station is located in the basement of village hall, formerly Palatine High School. The building was originally constructed in 1952 and expanded in 1966.
In 1979, the police department relocated to its present facility. Since that time, the department has grown in staff by approximately 80%, according to village officials.
A 2006 space study found that in order for the police department to operate effectively and efficiently, it needed to expand from its present square footage of 39,015 sq. ft. to approximately 66,045 sq. ft.
Follow-up studies found that expansion of the present police location was not economically feasible or desirable from a safety standpoint.
The village claims the current police station is inadequate in size, features, with key areas not designed well or provided. There are also several major mechanical systems that are not performing properly or are in need of complete replacement.
"Maybe by this September we will have a good position to discuss with the council and the nearby neighborhood what the new station will look like and entail, because we want public input as well," said Ottesen. "We need to make sure the designs are the right square footage, determine if there will be surface or underground parking, and much more."
Plans would have come to fruition years ago, but Sears Holdings, Inc., sued the village over condemnation of the store and other portions of the plaza.
According to Ottesen, a settlement agreement was presented to a judge about a week ago and he believes final issues should be resolved by next month.
Once a final agreement is reached, demolition of the center can begin.
"The new police station would be located at the north building where there are still a couple tenants (Marie's Pizza and a cleaner's) operating," said Ottesen. "We will work with them to relocate somewhere else within the village."
Ottesen said it is up to Sears if they want to stay or leave. However, if they stay, there would be some required modifications to the building.
"It's up to Sears on what they want to do," added Ottesen.
Once the new police station is staffed and operating, councilmen and village staff will determine what to do with the vacant space at the current headquarters on Wood Street.
In related news, councilmen adopted an ordinance authorizing the issuance of two separate General Obligation bonds totaling $9,545,000 that will be used towards construction of the new police station.
The project requires the issuance of the bonds as a funding source. A portion of the bonds ($7,035,000) will be "Build America"bonds authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
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