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Village hall nearly unrecognizable in Palatine, but it's all according to plan

Village hall nearly unrecognizable in Palatine, but that's the plan

After just over four months of demolition, Palatine's village hall is a mere shell of its former self.

Workers have taken out nearly everything removable from the 63-year-old building, leaving pillars, floors and little else.

Harry Spila, Palatine's director of community services, told the village council Monday night that the $12.7 million project to renovate the village hall is going according to plan, apart from some frigid February days that froze the water in workers' power washers.

Spila said they have learned a lot about the building as they rip it down.

"It is built like a bunker," Spila said. "The building is not wanting to give up that easily."

But the surprising strength of the half-century old building is a boon for the village. Village Manager Reid Ottesen said the village will likely save $100,000 by crushing the sturdy building materials and using them as backfill when the hall is built back up.

Not all surprises have been pleasant, however. Ottesen said workers uncovered about $25,000 worth of asbestos that hadn't been caught in the earlier testing.

"But out of the $1.6 million abatement and demolition cost, that's pretty good," Ottesen said.

Next week workers will head underground to prepare the foundation for the new exterior walls.

"My fingers are crossed because during the foundation work they always said is where the big surprises come up," Ottesen said. "But so far we've been pleased. The building was built like a fortress."

The building, located at 200 E. Wood St., originally served as Palatine High School when built in 1952.

Although in its current state it may be difficult to imagine, the building when finished will have a new look featuring roof improvements that will let more light into the building. A portion of the second floor above the lobby will be opened to allow natural light to travel all the way down to the main floor. The drab concrete that currently tops the building will be covered by aluminum panels, and its brick exterior also will receive a facelift.

Spila said work is moving along well at this point and the village government should be able to move back into the building in early 2016 as scheduled.

  A worker observes the shell of a building that was at one time Palatine High School. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Workers operating heavy machines have torn up and hauled out much of Palatine's village hall as part of renovation work. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  When completed in Palatine, this section of the village hall's roof will be covered in glass so natural light can make its way into the lobby. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  A worker sends sparks flying as he cuts away rebar from the old facade of Palatine's village hall. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
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