Vernon Hills pursues village hall remodel for community space
Plans will proceed to create meeting space at Vernon Hills village hall to accommodate groups using the adjacent Larry Laschen Community Center.
Village trustees Wednesday informally agreed to pursue the least expensive of three options and waive competitive bidding and hire Hezner Corp. of Libertyville to design the space.
Permanent meeting space is regarded as a solution for a dozen community groups that have been using the village-owned community center at 294 Evergreen Drive. It will close Dec. 31, as a cost-saving measure until its future is determined.
At $212,657, Option A would create a single large meeting room from space previously occupied by the village's engineering staff. It also would serve as a polling place to replace the longtime Laschen location.
The other options increased the amount of meeting space and other amenities for $449,656 and $641,945, respectively. Each would include security to allow entry to the foyer, bathrooms and meeting rooms but restrict access to the village administrative offices.
"I don't see it," Trustee Mike Marquardt said of the more expensive possibilities.
Homeowners associations, Scout dens and a church have reserved space at the Laschen center this year for a total of 108 meeting dates, with the understanding it would close at the end of the year.
The 1950s-era building was the former clubhouse of the 18-hole Tally Ho Country Club, dating to the village's origin. It was operated as village hall until a $7.2 million replacement opened in 2002, and was the Vernon Hills Park District headquarters until earlier this year. It is named for Larry Laschen, who was hired as police chief in 1973 and was village manager from 1984 until retiring in 1998.
With the park district's departure, the question becomes where the groups will meet.
"A need has been demonstrated," for a long-term solution, Building Commissioner Mike Atkinson said.
Hezner Corp. was hired to study space needs, options and costs to remodel existing areas at village hall for meeting rooms.
In related action Wednesday, the board voted 4-0 to waive competitive bidding and hire Hezner to design and prepare bids for Option A at a cost not to exceed $15,963.
Atkinson said Hezner could easily transition to the architectural part of the plan.
However, the board decided not to waive competitive bidding and will seek proposals for construction management services.
Village officials have not determined what to do with the Laschen building after it is closed, Atkinson said.