$27 million Arlington Heights police station project moving forward

Early estimates show that construction of a new police station in Arlington Heights may cost $27 million.

The village board on Tuesday directed the staff to pursue a plan that would include a 70,500-square-foot station to be built on the existing site with an indoor garage for squad cars. The plan also would use extra space in village hall and other municipal properties to save money.

Representatives from FGM architects presented several options costing between $26 million and $29 million.

Soft costs such as fees, furniture, contingency and temporary facility costs to move the department during the estimated two years of construction could add $4 million to $5 million to the total price, but trustees said they hope to keep those costs down.

Finance Director Tom Kuehne said the entire cost of the project would be paid for through selling bonds, but it likely wouldn't result in a tax increase because the bonds would be sold as old debt retires over the next several years.

The plan is the result of months of study, compromises with the police department and discussions about how to keep costs low.

“I think we nailed this,” said Trustee Jim Tinaglia, who was a part of the police station committee.

The police station was built in the 1970s. Officials have said it is long past its useful life, does not have enough space for modern-day policing and is costly to maintain.

The new building would include evidence storage, a firing range, a fitness center, locker rooms and training facilities in the basement, cells, room for patrol, investigations, records and evidence on the first floor, and administration, a multipurpose room, traffic offices and community service offices on the second floor.

The idea of an enclosed garage for police vehicles has been a big part of the conversation.

“It's not only about retention of the vehicles, but it's the safety of the officers as well,” said Trustee Thomas Glasgow.

Construction costs could be more than 25 percent higher than what was spent on the new Palatine police station, but FGM officials said that is because that project was bid during the height of the recession.

Officials stressed that the numbers will change between now and the end of the project.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us, but these are estimates and best guesses,” said Trustee John Scaletta.

Construction on the new police station could start by spring 2017