Libertyville to buy office building for temporary police quarters

Libertyville village officials authorized the purchase of an office building to use as temporary police quarters as the old station is demolished and a planned $43 million facility is built.

Besides a temporary home base for police, purchasing the building at 1900 USG Drive in an office park on the west side of town for $4.2 million comes with other potential benefits, officials said.

The asking price will be offset with the tenant buyout of the existing lease, lowering the net price to an estimated $2.8 million, officials said. Closing on the property is anticipated for mid-April.

Police are expected to occupy the new location from about June through December 2027 but the date can be extended. Demolition of the existing station at 200 E. Cook Ave., is tentatively expected to begin June 1.

Options for what happens after police leave will be reviewed but it’s anticipated the building near Winchester Road and Route 45 will be used for recreational offices and programming space as there is easy access and abundant parking.

The village sold the Libertyville Sports Complex in 2023 and the recreation department operates in a small office adjacent to Riverside pool.

As planned, the village will assume the lease at 1900 USG Drive from Bristol Myers Squibb and then terminate it through a buyout agreement that will offset the purchase price, said Village Administrator Kelly Amidei.

Internet service will need to be relocated but all office furniture and equipment, appliances and some technology will remain. The building will be suitable for police operations, storage and offices with minimal changes needed, she added.

Detention facilities will be located, by agreement, in other communities and customer service will move to village hall.

Buying rather than leasing the building was the preferred option because of the property value and flexibility.

“If financial circumstances change, we can always make that (purchase price) back in the sale of the property and enhanced value,” Mayor Donna Johnson said last week before the village board vote.

State law requires a two-thirds majority vote for property purchases. As two trustees were absent Johnson cast the final vote in the 5-0 approval.

The $2.8 purchase price will come from general fund reserves that are in excess of the policy threshold due in part to better-than-expected sales tax and investment income over the past few years, Amidei said.