Rolling Meadows to transform strip mall space into $850,000 human services center

Some $850,000 worth of renovations are to set begin soon at an old strip mall in Rolling Meadows, where the city’s revived human services department plans to move in next year.

The planned build out of long-vacant office space will take place at 2214 Algonquin Road, where the city a year ago purchased 5,300 square feet in the middle of a longstanding, highly-visible shopping center building for $650,000.

City council members Tuesday night were set to consider a $159,000 proposal from Rolling Meadows-based BEAR Construction Co. for architectural/engineering design and construction management for the project.

Work crews will remodel the first-floor entrance, 3,250 square feet of the second floor and 2,087 square feet of the third floor for human services department programs and services.

The department — which offers summer camps, mental health programs, a teen support group, financial literacy workshops, immigration clinic, legal assistance, school tutoring and a food pantry — operates out of a nearby 750-square-foot apartment space within the East Park Apartments complex, and offices at city hall.

Since retooling and expanding human services into a municipal department of its own in 2024, city officials have been looking for a larger, more accessible location in the community.

The city got $1.45 million in grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to help with the building purchase and interior upgrades: $950,000 earmarked in the 2024 state budget with the help of Sen. Mark Walker, and $500,000 secured by Rep. Nicolle Grasse in the 2025 budget.

BEAR Construction’s proposal anticipates a four-month construction schedule, with substantial completion targeted by May 2027.

cplacek@dailyherald.com