Elk Grove cuts ribbon on new village hall
Mayor Craig Johnson and other village officials cut the ribbon Thursday on a new Elk Grove Village hall that they touted for its "green" design.
The building at 901 Wellington Ave. incorporates a 40-year-old fire station and a 22-year-old administration building in a $29 million project that brings all village operations under one roof and includes an underground police firing range and police parking area.
"This building is the wave of the future," Johnson said, adding that he hopes it will be an inspiration to the 4,000 businesses in town to be more environmentally conscious in their operations.
Johnson said he was interested in green design after having grown up near Busse Woods, but he was worried initially about the cost. The $2 million extra spent on energy efficiency, insulation, lights that dim when the sun is out, and a "living roof" covered with sedum, a perennial plant that acts as an insulator and retains water to prevent stormwater runoff, will be recovered in six years, he said.
"It became a no-brainer," he said.
The village hall is the first in the state designed to meet LEEDS Gold certification, he said. The Leadership in Energy and Environment Design Green Building Rating System is a national program for building construction.
The building is named the Charles J. Zettek Municipal Complex after the man who was mayor for 22 years. Two of Zettek's sons, Scott of Buffalo Grove and Craig of Elk Grove Village, were there for the unveiling of a fountain in front of the hall.
Local dignitaries attending the dedication included U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, a Wheaton Republican, who heaped praise on Johnson in a short speech, Arlington Heights Village President Arlene Mulder, Hoffman Estates Village President Bill McLeod, Mount Prospect Mayor Irvana Wilks and Roselle Village President Gayle Smolinski.
"This is the people's home, the people's place of business," Johnson said.
The village hall will be open for public tours from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and will officially open Monday, April 20, although as departments play musical chairs, it will be late summer before all are in their new home.