Buffalo Grove opens new public works facility

Operations are underway at Buffalo Grove’s new public works facility at 1650 Leider Lane.

At a cost of $34 million, it is the village’s largest facility upgrade. Still, village officials said, the cost of the adaptive reuse is one-third less than the cost of a new ground-up facility.

The village bought the property in 2022. It had been used as a warehouse and had been vacant for more than two years.

Buffalo Grove had outgrown the old building at 51 Raupp Boulevard, across from the current village hall that was built in 1976.

A 2017 study confirmed it was inadequate to meet the needs of the village’s burgeoning population.

Among the features of the new facility is the expanded Emergency Operations Center. Congressman Brad Schneider secured $171,400 in federal funds to support the center’s creation.

“Buffalo Grove residents can have peace of mind knowing that their community's emergency services have sufficient tools and resources at their disposal to effectively coordinate with their partners to mitigate and respond to threats,” Schneider said.

Other features include state-of-the-art utility system controls and brining systems for snow and ice management.

“When I think of what this building symbolizes for our community, our employees, and our leadership, I think of the word readiness,” Village Manager Dane Bragg said. “From the equipment ready to face any weather event, to the technology that enhances our service delivery, and especially the new Emergency Operations Center, this facility embodies our commitment to preparedness.”

As for the old public works building on Raupp, that is hardly being put out to pasture. It will serve as a temporary location for the village’s fire station at 505 W. Dundee Road while it undergoes a makeover.