Arlington Heights trustees OK police station costs as budgeted, for now
As demolition of Arlington Heights' old police station continues, the village board on Monday formally approved the cost of the new station to be $27.9 million, 10 to 15 percent less than original projections, officials said.
Trustees agreed unanimously Monday night to set the project's so-called guaranteed maximum price at that level, though additional incremental costs are possible if unforeseen issues arise during construction, officials said.
The proposed two-level, 70,500-square-foot police station will be built to replace the 38-year-old cop shop at 200 E. Sigwalt St. Exterior demolition started last Wednesday, after months of underground utility and abatement work.
Village and police department officials say the 38,000-square-foot facility became cramped and outdated and wouldn't have been able to meet current and future needs.
A 2010 feasibility study estimated the price of a new police station, adjusted for inflation, to be more than $30 million. But in an effort to lower costs, the size of the facility was reduced, while plans were made to relocate some police storage to the fourth floor of village hall and the former fire academy near Nickol Knoll Golf Club, according to Village Manager Randy Recklaus.
A subsequent 2015 study budgeted $27.9 million for the station - a number officials say they've worked hard to fall within.
Construction manager Riley Construction has built in $1.6 million worth of construction, design and pricing contingency funds in the overall $27.9 million cost. The village has set aside another $1.6 million for possible cost overruns.
The board on Monday also gave the village manager and finance director the authority to approve individual project change orders up to $40,000; anything more must come back to trustees.
If the project ends up under budget, the village may later consider as many as 18 alternatives, such as the $327,000 cost to install permeable pavers on top of a stormwater detention vault and the main access driveway between the new police station and village hall. Last week, the village submitted a grant application to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to help pay for the project.
A $35 million bond issue approved in January 2016 is covering demolition of the old station, construction of the new one, renting a temporary police station, furniture, equipment, parking lot upgrades, and architectural and engineering expenses.
The temporary police headquarters is at 1500 W. Shure Drive, in an office complex south of Dundee Road and east of Route 53 on the north side of town.
Completion of the new station is expected by fall 2018.