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Vernon Hills board reviews $32.5 million concept for police campus remodel; asks for refinements on signage, security
Summary
Village staff and FGM consultants presented schematic designs to connect two existing Lakeview buildings into a single police campus with a glassed entry, 40‑space front parking, a 28‑stall garage, firing range and security upgrades. The board offered design feedback and staff said the project will go to planning and zoning in July.
Vernon Hills officials on March 16 reviewed schematic designs for a major police campus improvement project intended to renovate and connect two existing buildings at 740 and 754 Lakeview.
The village’s chief of police described the plan as a long-term investment in public safety and operations, saying, “This is the biggest project the village has ever undertaken.” He and village staff briefed trustees on the design goals: a prominent, glassy central lobby to clarify visitor access; a 40-space parking area at the front to support community meetings and training; secured fencing and gates to protect the rear campus; enhanced evidence storage and a modern firing range; and a new signage and flagpole plaza at the corner.
FGM consultants walked the committee through three new additions and a small Sally Port addition that would interconnect administrative, records, training and patrol garage functions. Consultant sketches showed material changes to unify the two buildings’ facades, a curved canopy to highlight the lobby and planter walls and bollards intended to prevent vehicles from approaching the building too closely.
Design details and next steps were highlighted: staff said the schematic phase will move into detailed engineering, the project is expected to go before the village planning and zoning commission in July, and the board anticipates returning in December with a guaranteed maximum price for authorization. The chief estimated the project scope at about $32,500,000 and said building around existing mechanical and cell‑block areas reduces costs compared with full new construction.
Trustees asked for studies on how the proposed electronic message sign would be oriented and whether the village needs three coordinated message sites; one trustee suggested exploring a different location for one of the village signs so information would not be duplicated for southbound drivers. Board members also pressed staff to continue examining site circulation near Lakeview Parkway and to evaluate the placement or relocation of existing telecommunications shelters that currently sit on the property.
On operational matters, staff said the enclosed garage will hold 28 active vehicles (the village is authorized to operate up to 30), and the firing range design includes a large vehicle-sized door to support realistic training exercises. Village staff and consultants noted the work will free space at the Phillips Building (currently shared by public works and the police department) and could benefit other departments.
The committee gave general “right track/wrong track” feedback and requested further refinement of signage visibility, security‑fencing details, and coordination with existing cell‑site vendors and adjacent Park District trail alignments. Staff said they would return after the planning and zoning review with more detailed designs and cost data.
Procedural note: the presentation was a concept review only; no formal approvals or binding commitments were taken at the March 16 meeting.
