Deputy Chief Mandrill told the Waukegan Public Safety Committee on Nov. 3 that a recent government‑use appraisal for the property at 200 North Green Bay returned an appraised value of $2,800,000, down from earlier seller‑provided appraisals of $4,100,000 (May 2025) and $4,095,000 (June 2025).

The deputy chief said the site meets the department's space needs: "the needed space for the property was 4.3 acres. The property on Green Bay is 5.7, which meets the need," and noted the structure on the property has been demolished.

Alderman Lynn Florian pressed for environmental protections, noting an earlier study was conducted when the building existed but that no new analysis had been performed since demolition. Florian asked whether contamination tied to prior uses — including a referenced dry‑cleaning operation and the possibility of buried tanks — had been resolved and whether remediation costs might fall to the city. "Do we know that it was done in accordance with..." Florian asked, seeking clarity on who would bear potential cleanup costs.

Deputy Chief Mandrill said the seller provided a previous environmental study but that the city had not conducted a new post‑demolition study: "I think that would take place before, I would think," he said when asked whether environmental review should occur prior to purchase.

Alderman Jose Guzman said the $2.8 million appraisal was closer to his expectations and asked whether the city should wait for market changes. Mandrill said he relied on the appraisal "for this moment in time" and could not predict market movement.

Committee members confirmed the city used an independent company for the latest appraisal. Several members urged that environmental due diligence and clarification about potential underground tanks be completed before any purchase decision and discussed negotiating with the seller given the lower appraisal.

The committee did not vote on a purchase. Several members indicated they would seek additional information, including updated environmental testing and written appraisal documents, before advancing the item.