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Westmont board approves design agreement for new fire headquarters, with caveats on final contract and public questions
Summary
The Westmont Village Board approved a professional services agreement to advance schematic and construction design for a new fire department headquarters, authorizing staff to finalize contract language; residents raised questions about cost and whether renovation would suffice.
The Westmont Village Board on a unanimous vote approved a professional services agreement with 845 Design Group PC to proceed with schematic design, design development, construction documents and construction-phase services for a proposed new fire department headquarters.
Board members authorized the village manager, the fire chief and the village attorney to finalize non-price contract edits and directed that the mayor may sign the finished agreement without returning it to the board unless significant changes arise.
The vote follows an alternatives analysis the board commissioned in 2024 and a public open house in May that presented renovation and rebuild options. Director Reese told the board the village evaluated existing building conditions, completed a space-needs analysis and examined the costs and feasibility of renovation, addition or replacement; the board decided to move forward with design services for a new or substantially renovated facility. The agenda item said the professional services agreement is “not to exceed $952,000 $952.20,” and staff described ongoing negotiations on non-price contract language.
Several trustees pressed for clarity about what the village would own if the project stopped before completion. Director Reese said the village would retain copies of drawings and files produced to that point but cautioned another architecture firm would not typically “seal” documents prepared under a different architect’s direction. Trustee Barker asked whether the agreement covers final construction drawings and the construction closeout; staff said the basic services scope runs through punch-list and project closeout, while additional services could increase costs if the project scope changes.
A resident, Laurel Rugen of 513 North Grant, questioned why the village is considering a new building rather than additions or renovations. Mayor Nero and staff said the village vetted multiple options and that the unanimous committee recommendation favored the selected approach as the best long-term solution. The mayor also said the existing station, built in 1991, was designed for a lower call volume and that facility conditions influenced the recommendation; he added, “It’s embarrassing to have firefighters have to live in that type of facility.”
Staff told the board the agreement in the packet was the architect’s original draft; the ordinance passed authorizes final edits so negotiations can be completed administratively. Trustee Little moved approval; Trustee Guzzo seconded and the motion passed on a roll call vote with all trustees present voting yes.
Next steps: staff will finalize outstanding edits with the architect and return for mayoral signature; if negotiation reveals substantive changes, staff said they would bring the matter back to the board for further approval.
