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Naperville board backs deeper design work on new transportation facility with geothermal, solar options
Summary
Trustees directed staff to pursue a level-2 design for a new transportation facility that integrates geothermal and rooftop solar after staff outlined an expected incremental cost and multiyear energy-savings case; formal approval is scheduled for Nov. 17.
Naperville CUSD 203 trustees on Nov. 3 told staff to continue with a more detailed, sustainability-focused design option for a proposed transportation facility so the district can better evaluate geothermal and solar features before a final vote.
Superintendent Dan Bridges reminded the board that members previously authorized up to $17.4 million for a new transportation facility. Construction and energy staff presented two options: proceed with the previously approved level-1 concept, or pursue a level-2 design that incorporates geothermal heating/cooling and rooftop solar.
Project staff said combining geothermal and rooftop solar increases upfront costs (staff memo estimated roughly $1.84 million for the sustainable features in current estimates) but would deliver an estimated payback of about six years and energy savings projected at approximately $4.3 million through 2050, in today’s dollars. Staff also reported potential incentives in the $350,000–$400,000 range if both geothermal and solar are pursued.
“Geothermal is actually getting the biggest bang for our buck in that regard,” said the project manager, noting that geothermal would provide the bulk of HVAC-related savings while solar would offset lighting and other electrical loads. Board members requested per-square-foot cost benchmarks and design drawings during the level-2 work to inform fiduciary oversight.
Trustees asked about the district’s ability to net‑meter or sell excess solar energy to the city. Staff said they are engaged with city officials but had no definitive answer at the meeting. Several trustees also flagged educational opportunities: system monitoring and performance data could be used in classroom curricula.
The board did not take formal procurement action Nov. 3; staff said a final action item will be on the Nov. 17 agenda. For now, trustees authorized continuing the level-2 design to avoid duplicate design costs and to preserve potential incentives.
What’s next: Staff will return with level‑2 design details, per‑square‑foot estimates, the finalized cost estimate for the sustainability option, and answers about net‑metering and contracts prior to the Nov. 17 formal vote.
