$24.5 million makeover planned for Glendale Heights Civic Center Plaza

Now that the strike by area construction workers has been resolved, Glendale Heights officials hope an extensive $24.5 million makeover of the Civic Center Plaza, which sits east of Bloomingdale Road and north of Fullerton Avenue, can get back on track.

With a police department that floods after heavy rainfall and a sports facility that has had to endure rainouts at its indoor soccer games, the village decided last year to invest its newly increased borrowing power - a little-known aspect of the federal stimulus package passed in last year, which makes available less-expensive Build America Bonds - in the renovation of some of its primary facilities.

A new senior center is set for its grand opening Sunday, and even the civic center building itself will be modernized to offer better accessibility for the handicapped.

Village President Linda Jackson said the village is usually conservative when it comes to renovations but that it was just time to make them.

"The bond rates were lower than ever and we decided to bite the bullet and do all the improvements we could do," she said. "With the economy where it is, pricing has come in lower for much better rates."

Because of the low interest on the loan and by refinancing and extending existing debt, the village will pay for the civic center project and keep its tax rate at about 23 cents per $100 of assessed value.

A look at the projects and where they stand.

Civic CenterIf you approach the civic center campus, the clearest sign that there is work being done is a large construction zone on the main building's southeast side.The largest effect of the strike will be felt on this building. Officials had originally hoped to finish the $530,000 in work before Sept. 11, when a yearly ceremony was to be held at the location. But the delay will make that unlikely, and Village President Linda Jackson said the ceremony will most likely be relocated. The work will be paid for by a $300,000 bond and a $230,000 capital improvement grant.Jackson said that the work will provide better handicapped accessibility and some uneven stairs that have been the source of several complaints in the past will be fixed.Also, leaks that cause flooding in the police department after heavy rains are to be repaired.Assistant Village Manager Roger Mabbitt said an employee-led demolition saved the village $75,000.Senior centerIn the first clear example of work done through the stimulus package bonds, the $3 million senior center will hold its grand opening on Sunday.Jackson said any services offered for seniors elsewhere in town will be relocated to the new building."We wanted to bring all the services we can provide for the seniors into one location," she said.This includes community outreach, recreation rooms, medical centers and a fitness area with senior-specific equipment.Also in the 10,000-square-foot building will be services that are possible only through partnerships, such as the fire department offering blood pressure checks and Meals on Wheels. "Hopefully, more seniors will take advantage of it."The grand opening begins at 1 p.m.Police departmentConstruction on a new $13 million police department is expected to begin this fall. However, the actual date will not be certain until work on the civic center is complete.Right now, the police department sits in a portion of the main government office building.For years, the basement level has had to deal with flooding. "It's something we needed to do," Jackson said.All aspects of the police department will move to the building, which will be located just south of the government center."Unfortunately, we've never had a full police facility," Mabbitt said. The work is expected to be complete by spring of 2012.Sports hubThe $8 million renovation is in its planning stages but Jackson said plans call for patching of yet another leaky roof and installation of air conditioning at the gymnasium.True20001082After a construction strike, work is expected to resume next week on the civic center work in Glendale Heights. The work will improve handicapped accessibility.Tanit Jarusan | Staff PhotographerTrue