Hoffman Estates OKs police station plans

Hoffman Estates police are scheduled to move into a new $28 million station in August 2010, village officials said Monday.

Village Manager James Norris said the cost was "significantly higher than what we estimated a few years ago." He blamed the increased construction materials cost.

However, Norris and other village officials say costs would be limited by the current low bond rates. A bond issue would likely be needed to pay for the building.

Trustees approved proposals by MTI Construction Services of Elgin and SRBL Architects of Deerfield for their services. Those two firms also are working on the relocation of fire station No. 24.

Construction of the police station alone will cost $21 million for the approximately 70,000 square-foot building. The village's veteran's memorial would also move to the new site. It currently stands at the station at 1200 Gannon Drive. The cost of moving the memorial hasn't been factored into the $28 million tag. There are also plans for about 60 underground parking spaces on the site, said Deputy Village Manager Dan O'Malley.

Separate from the $28 million, earlier in January the village closed on a $2.9 million purchase of a parcel at 401 W. Higgins Road, the site of the new station. Police officials say the current station isn't large enough for the growing department. Last week, Arlington Heights officials also claimed their police station wasn't big enough for their personnel and needs.

Recently, the Hoffman Estates police station also began hosting traffic court for residents.

The current station also housed the village's administrative offices before operations shifted in 1971 to the former insurance building that is now the village hall. There are 105 members on the Hoffman Estates Police Department. There's no timetable for when the current building at the Higgins site would be razed.

In other village-related construction news, trustees agreed on the final site plans for the renovated village hall. Part of the design includes a floating granite ball for the new front lobby atrium. Village officials hope no pandas would be let loose in the building, as a bamboo structure was also green lighted as part of the renovations. The village also agreed to spend no more than $775,000 on new office furniture for trustees in the renovated building.