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Oak Park delays municipal campus police station discussion; board asks staff for refined costs and schedule
Summary
Village staff will reschedule the board's planned discussion on the municipal campus and police station project after members said more time is needed to review refined schematic designs and cost analyses. Trustees reiterated that the police station remains the project's priority and asked for clearer financial options.
Village Manager Jackson told the board that staff is working to identify an alternate date in April to resume discussion of the Municipal Campus/Police Station project so trustees have sufficient time to review updated schematic designs and more refined cost information.
Jackson said the goal is to provide "complete information" and enough time for the public and trustees to review the revised materials before a decision. Director Sproul of Public Works was present to answer technical questions, and staff said they will return with updated cost estimates and a high-level financial analysis of the design options discussed in prior meetings.
At the meeting, several trustees said the police station is the principal cost driver and must remain a priority while balancing concerns about overall costs. President Vicki Skamen summarized the board's direction, saying members were focused on finding an approach that meets staff and community needs without "destining our community to continuing to pay more over time." The board discussed phasing options for renovating Village Hall versus full replacement and noted previously cited figures: trustees and staff referenced prior cost ranges including roughly $80,000,000 for the police portion and an additional $20,000,000 to $40,000,000 for rehabilitation of Village Hall in some estimates shared during earlier discussions.
Trustees and staff discussed scheduling constraints: the board noted the new board is seated in early May and staff mentioned May 6 as the first meeting after that transition. Jackson said the requested special meeting would likely occur "a week early" of a regular meeting if needed, to allow sufficient time for discussion and to seek direction on a single schematic option before committing additional design funds.
No formal vote was held on the campus project at the meeting. Staff said it will return with a refined schedule and cost information and will present one preferred design variation for trustee direction.
