Grayslake police department is checking out of old facility

An old bank just isn't cut out to be a police station.

But the Grayslake police have made due for the past 10 years.

So it's no surprise police Chief Larry Herzog is excited about the new station that's being built right behind his department's current digs.

"The old building needed to be completely remodeled and gutted, or we needed to move," he said. "We're happy with the move."

The department's new home is currently being built next door to village hall, on Seymour Avenue. When complete, the new building will be connected to village hall.

Assistant Village Manager Matt Formica said the work is on schedule, and on budget.

"They're thinking they're probably going to be complete in February sometime," he said.

Work on the $5.9 million project began in April. The new building will give the police department 18,400 square feet of space. The village is paying for the building with available funds, and did not have to borrow money to fund it.

Herzog said the new building will have many advantages over the department's current home, including a secure prisoner drop-off, improved technology and a 24-hour holding facility for prisoners.

The department's current facility has an 8-hour limit, so if someone is in custody for more than 8 hours, the department has to drive them to a different facility, costing police both time and money, he said.

Police personnel are already beginning work to prepare for their move. Likewise, village staffers are getting ready for modifications to their current building, so the two can be wedded together.

During the transition, the village hall's front counter will be moved to the basement, Formica said.

And with the move, another part of downtown Grayslake will get a significant makeover as well.

Once the current police building is abandoned, it will be demolished, and, along with the now-demolished building at 201 Center St., will be replaced with a $17 million redevelopment project that will include a mix of residential space and retail uses.