Lakemoor settles on a plan for new municipal building
A continuing mission to change the image of Lakemoor will take a significant step with the expected construction next spring of a new municipal facility along busy Route 120.
After months tweaking the cost and design, village officials have settled on the final product, sought qualifications for contractors and expect to seek bids next month on what will be a $6 million project, including the land, building and furnishings.
"In the last six or seven years, we've really tried to transform the image of the village and improve the services for residents," Village Administrator David Alarcon said. "I think this is a very important statement of who we are."
Three years ago, village offices moved from a former fire station and garage to 2,500 square feet of rented space at Darrell Road and Route 120. The police department, a few years ago, moved from a double-wide trailer to a building the village bought in an industrial area on the north end of town.
Both will be incorporated in a 13,980-square-foot, red brick building fronting Route 120 and there will be accommodations for community programs and gatherings.
Mayor Todd Weihofen said the building location will become "the center point for commerce" when vacant property at routes 12 and 120 is developed.
"It's hard to imagine unless you were here from the beginning," he said.
Traditional elements, including columns, a clock and a flat roof, have been incorporated in what is described as a contemporary design. The single-story structure will be east of Darrell Road and north of Schlesser Drive in the Pines of Lakemoor subdivision. Lakemoor has 32 part and full-time employees for a population of about 6,000.
"Just a nice straightforward building, not overly ornate, that will make a strong presence on Route 120," said Matt Dabrowski, director of community and economic development. "We're establishing a standard we want other developments to follow."
The village purchased 3.2 acres for $640,000 for the project and has an option to purchase an adjoining parcel of the same size to the west. There is a 10-foot difference in height from front to back, Dabrowski said.
"It's a challenging site but it's a site the village was willing to take on because commercial development wouldn't take it on," he said. The village wants to leave potential commercial sites open, he added.
Building estimates originally were over budget and the plan was reworked. The village sought and received its first bond rating and sold $4 million in bonds to investors to cover the cost. The other $2 million will come from the general fund.
"The village started to save money quite a few years ago," Alarcon said. "The community is growing and the need for community services has increased. We wanted a more professional and safer facility for our employees and to do business."
Completion is expected in early 2017.