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Lake Forest police project: new design integrates indoor firing range beneath sally port, officials say
Summary
City designers say a proposed redesign of the new police facility could integrate an indoor firing range beneath the sally port, addressing previous noise, vibration and ceiling-height concerns while retaining parking counts and costing about the same as a basement range.
Lake Forest police leaders and project designers presented the City Council on April 7 with a revised plan to integrate an indoor firing range into the new police facility by tucking the range beneath the sally port and extending existing ramps, an approach city staff say resolves earlier concerns about noise, vibration and headroom.
Why it matters: The police department had been evaluating several range options during schematic design for the new facility at 1925 Field Court; the redesign removes several previously identified drawbacks without reducing planned parking or adding significant cost, staff said.
Police Chief Burke described the design concept, credited Alderman Walther for the idea, and said architects from Cordon Clark verified the range’s ceiling height, length and mechanical separation would meet training needs. "Because if you can remember the backside of the building, there is a difference in height, almost like a walkout basement," Chief Burke said, describing how a lowered range under the sally port would eliminate noise and vibration issues.
Chief Burke said the configuration would allow vehicles to cross above the range roof to the sally port and would include two five-foot steel doors at the range entrance so vehicles can be positioned for training without disrupting other operations. He said the approach kept the air handler farther away from other building systems and preserved indoor and most outdoor parking counts. "Cost wise ... it's essentially the same, if not a little cheaper than what it would have been to build the range in the basement," he said.
Council members who had participated in the City Manager’s advisory group praised the result as an example of the advisory process producing improved outcomes. Alderman Walther and other council members thanked the volunteers and staff who vetted the idea. Staff said, given the stage of design and the advisory group's work, the advisory group will likely not meet again on the range question.
No formal vote was taken April 7; staff reported the concept had been accepted for design and that subsequent design work will proceed under the existing project schedule.
