Lake Co.'s Greenbelt Center gets green light for expansion

As one of the Lake County Forest Preserve District's popular destinations, the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago often reaches capacity with visitors inside and vehicles in the parking lot.

Though it is only 10 years old, the center on Green Bay Road, which hosts concerts, special events and educational programs, often is cramped and its resources stretched thin.

"We really appreciate it, but we have outgrown that building," said forest Commissioner Audrey Nixon, of North Chicago, whose district includes Greenbelt. "I didn't realize it (public use) would be of this magnitude."

After more than two years of study and design, construction is nearing on a $5.6 million project to remodel the existing facility and build an expansion that will more than double the size of the center.

"It's been enormously successful. We needed it to be larger," said Katherine Hamilton-Smith, the district's director of cultural resources.

A series of contracts was recommended for approval Thursday by the education, cultural resources and public affairs committee.

Staff reported that 122 bids were received from 72 bidders for 17 trade contracts for work ranging from structural steel to carpentry to flooring.

The commission also recommended approval of a contract for nearly $477,000 to MTI Construction Services of Elgin to oversee the construction process.

"We got excellent bidding," said Mike Fénelon, the district's director of planning, conservation and development. The bids for the 17 contracts totaled about $3.2 million, or about $125,000 under the original estimate.

Bids for five other contracts were rejected for different reasons, Fénelon told committee members. For example, because of the specifications, only one roofing contractor bid. The five contracts will be rebid.

"There's no (legal) issues," Fénelon said in response to questions from Nixon. "The district has the right to clarify the bids."

Fénelon said the work to be rebid does not have to be done immediately and expected no delay in the scheduled July groundbreaking. Construction is expected to take about a year and the existing facility will remain open.

The extra space will allow for expanded educational and community use. Plans call for two dedicated classrooms as well as a large space that can accommodate up to 300 people or be divided for smaller gatherings.

The expansion also will make use of environmentally friendly features, such as a geothermal heating and cooling system, a green roof and a "living wall" to help clean the air.

The contracts are to be reviewed June 3 by the district's finance committee. The board will consider them June 8.