Antioch board debates $17M public works facility plan and funding options

Village staff and the design team presented a schematic plan and staged options for a new Public Works facility. The construction estimate presented by the construction manager showed a construction cost of about $15 million and soft costs of roughly $2.375 million, yielding a current total estimate of about $17.374 million.

Architects from Williams Architects and the project construction manager outlined a tightened, mostly one-level 48,000–53,000-square-foot design that the team characterized as a "best value" solution meant to serve the village for decades. "We have cut millions of dollars from the project costs while adhering to the space-needs findings," staff summarized during the presentation.

The construction manager, Fred Morano, identified alternates that could reduce cost by roughly $3 million: a pre-engineered metal building substitute (not permitted under current village code), omitting a fuel island ($322,000), delaying material storage bins ($476,000), reducing or deferring a mezzanine ($732,000), and trimming long vehicle storage (over $1,032,000). The team also proposed a smaller salt dome and a vinyl-roof alternative to reduce upfront costs while noting lifecycle differences.

Trustees pressed staff on funding. Finance staff projected available capital funds but acknowledged the numbers would not absorb the full package without reallocating other projects or using additional financing. Trustee Blueart asked directly "how do we pay for it?" and urged a clear board-level discussion of priorities; Trustee Peterson and others urged moving forward to replace an aging, inadequate Public Works facility, citing operational and recruitment impacts if the project is delayed. Finance director Zeta explained available cash/reserve positions and previewed follow-up budget updates. The mayor and design team agreed the next step is further pricing at 50% and 80% design and bidding alternates so the board can make an informed funding decision.

The board did not take a final vote; trustees provided direction to continue finalizing design with cost-reduction options and return with updated staged budgets and bids. Staff suggested scheduling a focused capital-projects session in October to reconcile Village Hall plans, the Public Works project and other pending capital needs.

Sources: schematic design presentation (Williams Architects), construction-estimate briefing (FQC/Fred Morano), and budget remarks by finance staff. No formal construction authorization or bond issuance occurred at this meeting.