Letter: New police station will be wasteful eyesore
On May 1, at the regular board meeting of the village of South Elgin trustees, An ordinance was approved authorizing and providing for the issuance of $8,150,000 general obligation bonds for the purpose of constructing and equipping a new police station.
As I understand it, this new facility will take away more open space along the beautiful Fox River and will provide even more stormwater to the Fox similar to the paved (not permeable paved but paved) parking lot that took over the Wee Dee's property. Besides not being environmentally friendly to the Fox River watershed, does the Village really need a new police station?
Look at the other towns, Hanover Park, Elgin and St. Charles and tell me that all the space is occupied?
The current jail cells in South Elgin are for holding only as everyone gets transferred to County daily and dispatch no longer exists.
The South Elgin police force is second to none, there is no doubt. However, from the inception of Clintonville, they have operated out of the same building. The chiefs that came before the current one made it work and I know the current chief has as well. But nope, this is what the trustees and village administrator want to do, extend our debt and leave their legacy in a building. If more space is needed, get creative and renovate the existing building to accommodate your needs. The current jail cells in South Elgin are for holding only as everyone gets transferred to county daily and dispatch no longer exists.
This new station will be an eyesore on the water's edge and for what? A symbol of power? Keep in mind this new building is not "open" to the public. Meeting and training rooms? Sure, but none of it will be accessible to the public.
You want to spend $8.1 million? Improve the quality of life with that money and improve your Parks and Recreation Department and facilities and the riverfront. This will increase the value of homes and the quality of life, not a new police station.
Jim Reuter
South Elgin