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Riverside board narrows public-safety design options, eyes $28 million referendum for April 2027
Summary
Trustees reviewed four design schemes for a consolidated Riverside Public Safety facility, agreed to send two preferred schemes to the preservation commission, eliminated a proposed west driveway, and discussed a potential $28 million bond referendum that staff estimates would cost a $500,000 home about $720 a year.
Riverside trustees on March 19 reviewed four exterior concepts and preliminary budgets for a proposed consolidated public safety facility and gave staff direction to advance two preferred designs to the village’s preservation commission.
The board’s discussion centered on what the architects called competing goals: honoring the proportions of the historic village hall while creating a contemporary, well‑lit community facility. Williams Architects presented four schemes—labeled Dynamic Response, Contextual Presence, Spatial Framing and Traditional Anchoring—each with distinct massing, glazing and roof treatments. Project manager Kim Nigro said all schemes share the same site layout and basic program: central apparatus bays, shared administrative and community spaces that align along an axis to the river, and secure corridors for police operations.
Why it matters: the facility would consolidate police and fire functions into one building, create public meeting and community spaces, and establish a river‑facing terrace and public art opportunities—features trustees said are important for the village’s long‑term public‑safety capacity and riverfront activation.
What the board decided: trustees largely favored the first two schemes and directed staff to send Schemes 1 (Dynamic Response) and 2 (Contextual Presence) to the preservation commission for formal feedback at its April 9 meeting. Trustees also agreed to remove a proposed west driveway from the site plan after staff said the extra access point is not operationally necessary and removing it would free riverfront area for public space.
Budget and funding discussion: contractor and cost‑validation partner Harbor Contractors outlined the project’s order‑of‑magnitude budget and recommended including escalation and contingency for a likely 2028 construction start. Manager Francis told the board that the village’s financial advisor modeled a $28 million limited‑tax bond issuance amortized over 20 years at an assumed 4 percent interest rate as a baseline scenario. Using that scenario, Francis gave an example impact on a typical Riverside home assessed at $500,000: "you would look at an annual cost increase of $720.32" (about $60.30 per month), noting the figure is subject to changes in equalized assessed value and market interest rates.
Next steps and community engagement: Williams will revise drawings based on board and preservation input and lead community engagement, including at least one open house; staff flagged additional public‑safety tours, short informational videos, a website landing page and presentations to other taxing bodies as planned education steps. Manager Francis emphasized that staff may provide factual education but cannot use village resources to advocate for a ballot question; trustees may speak individually as private citizens.
Other actions: the board approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting (motion carried), authorized staff to proceed with a $2,500 evaluation of a potential 1% business‑district sales‑tax for the proposed facility site, and adjourned the meeting.
The board did not take a referendum vote on March 19; trustees discussed timing and targeted an April 2027 consolidated election as a likely date to place a bond measure before voters pending further design, budget refinement and outreach.
