Libertyville board clears way for construction of new, $32 million police station
The Libertyville village board this week cleared the way for construction of a new, $32.4 million police station, considered the largest single public project in village history.
Village trustees selected a contractor to build the facility, authorized the sale of $25 million in bonds to help pay for it, and retained a firm as “owner's representative” to oversee the project.
Board members also agreed to pay AT&T about $201,000 to relocate telecommunications utilities to what will serve the police department's temporary home as their old one is demolished and replaced.
That action capped a process that began in 2021, when a new station was identified as a priority by then newly-elected Mayor Donna Johnson.
Principal and interest on the $25 million bond sale will be repaid over 25 years using revenue from the village's ⅟₂% non-home rule sales tax. The remainder of the project’s costs will be funded by village savings.
A contract with Path Construction Inc. of Arlington Heights, the lowest of four qualified bidders, was approved for about $32.24 million. That's well below a $36.7 million construction estimate for the station, which will include a parking canopy, two EV charging stations and a building automation system as additional features.
Following that approval, the board agreed to retain CCS International Inc., at a cost not to exceed $500,000, as their representative to oversee the construction. The firm has been working with the village since October 2024 and coordinated the qualification of contractors.
“This has been such a long process for the entire community — in a good way,” Johnson said before the vote. “We've been very thoughtful.”
CCS services will include on-site visits, managing schedules and coordinating with various entities involved in the construction.
“It's not flashy but the oversight is critical,” said Trustee Andrew Herrmann. “We're ready for kick off. Keep us on course. Let's go.”
The 1968 building at 200 E. Cook Ave. will be demolished and the new station built on the footprint. It will be 46,598 square feet compared to the current facility’s 26,295 square feet.
The village plans to close late this month on the purchase of a building at 1900 USG Drive to serve as the temporary home for police, according to Village Administrator Kelly Amidei.
The transition to the temporary site will occur in May and the planned demolition of the old building is expected to begin June 1.