Lakemoor hires architect for municipal complex

Lakemoor has taken another step in an ongoing plan to change its image with the authorization of an architectural firm to work on development of a new village municipal complex along Route 120.

Village officials waived competitive bidding and authorized a contract with FGM Architects of Oak Brook for the design of the village hall.

"We've been working with FGM for about a year, plus they've already done our spatial analysis so the board thought it was a good fit," said Matt Dabrowski, director of community and economic development.

What is regarded as a municipal campus will be located on 3.2 acres north of Schlesser Drive in the Pines of Lakemoor subdivision. The village closed on the property for $640,000 in January.

The village has been renting office space for nearly two years after moving from an outdated village hall facing Lily Lake. That building was demolished this past fall.

Dabrowski said a public "visioning" workshop will be held tentatively on March 8 to solicit ideas on what the building should look like and what it will be used for. Whether the police department should be part of the facility, for example, is an unanswered question.

"That gives the architect direction," Dabrowski said of the workshop. Once that has been determined, a committee of village and other officials will work out the details.