‘Do it right’: New Vernon Hills police campus moving toward construction

Vernon Hills is turning the corner on a project to connect, unify and improve two existing buildings into a cohesive and welcoming police campus.

“This has been more than two years to get to this point,” Police Chief Patrick Kreis said in a recent update for village officials.

However, Kreis also reported the estimated cost has risen from $32.5 million to about $40 million, due to unexpected circumstances and other factors.

The department has been operating out of two buildings at 740 and 754 Lakeview Parkway — the original station built in 1992 and an office building acquired about 20 years ago.

The facilities don't meet the needs of the department or residents, officials say, and the village has been considering options to reconfigure the spaces.

“As communications left to join LakeComm (countywide 9-1-1 service), we had to do something with the building and the direction was, 'Let's not put another Band-Aid on it, but let's do something comprehensive and do it right,'’” Kreis said.

More than half the department’s staff has been involved by providing input and ideas for the project, he added.

A new facility is expected to last about 40 years, officials said. The village board in March gave the go ahead for the project.

Much of the change going forward will be based on connections between the buildings with a glass entry in front, a large indoor parking garage in back and an open courtyard. A well-defined entrance, lobby for public visitors and improved work and training spaces are among the design goals.

Kreis' overview July 28 and village board approval of recommendations from the advisory planning and zoning commission marked the end of the design development phase. Next will be detailed drawings to be used for competitive bids.

“This is where we really start putting everything together on how to actually build it,” said Public Works Director Chris Venatta.

Measure like having to move cell towers and utilities that run between the two buildings and site work will add nearly $3 million to the project estimate, Kreis said.

Other cost increases involve work associated with new state energy codes; the need to move bathrooms; replacing HVAC with a single, centralized system; a redesigned building front; and rising construction costs, he added.

mzawislak@dailyherald.com