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Brookfield trustees direct feasibility study toward Ellert Park ‘option B’ site and design
Summary
Following online input and a staff presentation, trustees gave majority consensus to continue the community-center feasibility study focused on Ellert Park and a three-story "option B" concept with ground-level parking; the vote was direction only — no construction decision was made.
The Village Board of Brookfield directed staff and the consultant to focus the ongoing community-center feasibility study on a preferred concept ("option B") sited at Ellert Park, trustees said Feb. 10 — but they made clear the decision is a study direction, not a commitment to build.
Luke (parks staff) reported additional public input collected after the Jan. 27 presentation: the community center webpage logged about 217 visits and staff recorded 31 respondent entries to the same Mentimeter questions used at the open house. In that online feedback, Ellert Park received 39% preference among respondents and Kiwanis Park 32%; within the Ellert Park options, respondents favored the north site behind the fire station (17 of ~30 votes on that question).
President Garvey and multiple trustees emphasized the board was not approving construction or site acquisition on Feb. 10, only narrowing the study so consultants can prepare more detailed cost estimates and an operations plan. Trustee Hendricks and others said option B — a three-story design with ground-level parking — best addressed parking constraints in the landlocked village.
Several trustees and a Conservation Commission representative raised environmental and flooding concerns about the Kiwanis Park location, noting proximity to the creek and Cook County hazard-mitigation priorities; those comments influenced the board toward Ellert Park. Trustees stressed that further feasibility work could change recommendations and that any final build decision would require additional public outreach and future board votes.
Staff said the consultant (Williams) needs a single site and a building concept to produce a detailed operational plan and cost estimates; staff expects a final consultant recommendation in late March or April 2025 depending on the work plan. Trustees asked staff to continue public engagement as the study proceeds.
