Elburn village hall expansion can fit on current site

The village of Elburn can use the current site of its village hall and police department to construct a larger facility to accommodate its growing population, but they aren't sure if that is the best alternative.

Trustees heard results of a space needs analysis conducted by Oak Brook-based FGM Architects on Monday to determine how much additional space would be needed at both facilities to accommodate the village's growing staff.

FGM was asked to project how much space would be needed to accommodate Elburn should its population increase to 25,000, or even 50,000 residents.

Elburn's current population is approximately 4,700.

"Part of what we hoped to accomplish was to demonstrate this site could accommodate 25,000 and 50,000 people," explained Mary Ann O'Hara of FGM Architects. "We found out we can."

Challenges that exist with keeping the current site include storm water detention, building around the existing war memorial and water tower, pedestrian traffic and the close proximity to the railroad tracks.

The study determined that in order to accommodate a population of 25,000, Elburn's village hall would need to be 24,000 square feet and the police department would require 25,000 square feet of space.

The village hall would need to be approximately 26,000 square feet for a population of 50,000 and the police department would need 40,000 square feet.

The new plan would move village operations and the police department to two separate buildings with two stories each, with a common entryway connecting them.

It is typically preferable to have the police department be only one story, but the limited space on the current site would prohibit it.

Projected costs for the entire project, including design and construction of both buildings, engineering and furnishings, are expected to range between $22.3 million and $25 million.

Since the funds for such a project are not immediately in the budget, Trustee Craig Swan suggested waiting for one of the developers proposing new commercial and residential developments in the village to provide land for a new municipal campus.

"I don't like jamming this all in one space and being near the train," Swan said.

"This is not the final layout by any means," explained Morrison. "But it shows it is practical to put this in here."