Elk Grove officials discussing village/township land swap

Elk Grove village and township officials are exploring an intergovernmental land swap of two equivalently valued properties in the village: 711 Chelmsford Lane and 600 Landmeier Road.

Officials say the potential partnership appears to provide benefits to both governmental bodies: improving operations and efficiency while preserving the character of surrounding neighborhoods, potentially retaining a valued day care service and improving compatibility with adjacent land uses.

"This land swap is one of those rare cases where everyone feels that they are getting the best end of the deal," Mayor Craig Johnson said in a news release.

The building at 600 Landmeier Road is an operating public works facility for the village. The size and layout do not meet the department's current operational needs and the property is adjacent to residential properties, creating conflict with homeowners when there are overnight operations during winter storms.

Elk Grove Township is in the process of consolidating operations into one building to streamline services and improve efficiency. Township officials have received approval from voters to sell the youth services building at 401 W. Golf Road in Mount Prospect, the headquarters at 2400 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights and the 711 Chelmsford property.

The Landmeier property could meet the office space, parking and operational needs for the township. Meanwhile, the village's 2025 Long Range Infrastructure Plan calls for construction of a larger, modernized public works building.

"We were very fortunate that the timing of our efforts lined up to create this opportunity," township Supervisor Mike Sweeney said in the news release, adding the land swap "would be a big step forward in our efforts to continue to streamline our operations."

After the proposed swap, the village would use the proceeds from the sale of 711 Chelmsford to help fund a new public works facility, using the current building until it is complete.

Elk Grove Village officials said the village board supports maintaining the 711 Chelmsford property as it is, with the existing day care and Marshall Park, and a land swap provides an opportunity to help promote this use when it is sold.