Lake Forest advances design of new police station at 1925 Field Court; advisory group backs in‑building firing range

Chief John Burke provided a detailed design update March 3 on the planned Lake Forest Police Department headquarters at 1925 Field Court and the City Council signaled consensus to advance design work for an interior firing range as part of the adaptive reuse project.

The proposal covers an adaptive reuse of the existing roughly 55,000 square‑foot building purchased by the city. Chief Burke said the city acquired 1925 Field Court following a unanimous council vote in April 2024 on a purchase-and-sale agreement for $3,500,000. "Adaptive reuse of an existing building was the most viable option," Burke said, and he presented floor plans that include public service areas, training rooms, evidence storage, a sally port and underground vehicle/evidence parking.

The midsection of the report described three range options the project team studied: renovating and expanding the current basement range (estimated about $2,600,000), building a standalone external range in the rear lot (estimated about $5,600,000) and constructing a range inside the new police building (estimated about $4,600,000). The City Manager's Advisory Committee, chaired by Jed Morris, recommended moving forward with an interior range in the new building as the most practical balance of cost, schedule and long‑term functionality. "If the firing range is going to be within the…