N. Aurora closer to new police station

North Aurora is close to getting the land it needs for a new police station, and the village board could vote on a contract as early as next week, officials said Tuesday.

The village entered into negotiations to buy a five-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Airport Road and Route 31 in August, with speculations that the process to buy the land could take as long as nine months.

The land currently is a parking lot. Because the negotiations still are in process, terms and dollar amounts could not be disclosed officials said.

However, the village received a contract yesterday and just needs to fix some of the language before it can be approved, Village Administrator Sue McLaughlin said. She described the two sides as "pretty close," and hopes to have the fixes completed in time for a special board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday at village hall.

"It's been a long process for staff. Everyone is very excited. We see a light at the end of the tunnel and are ready for the next step. We have a timetable in place and I think we'll see a lot of action in the next two years," McLaughlin said.

According to the timetable -- which is always subject to change -- the village would like the station up and running by the middle of 2010. On that timetable, next year the village would go for bond to pay for the facility, which could cost more than $10 million.