In the News

Park District Approves Agreement for Village Snow Dumping Site

GLENVIEW, IL, Thursday, August 28, 2008 – At their Thursday, August 28 meeting, the Glenview Park District Board of Trustees approved a 10-year Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) that allows the Village of Glenview to utilize a lot at the park district’s Community Park West to dump snow removed from streets during the winter months and an area to store road salt.

Following approval from the Village Board, which is expected at their September 2 meeting, construction will start immediately to get the site ready in time for this winter.

Plans call for the nearly two acre snow dump lot to be located immediately adjacent to the east side of I-294 at the south end of Community Park West and constructed of recycled asphalt over a limestone base. Melting snow from the lot will drain directly into the Illinois Toll Authority’s storm water drainage system, minimizing the environmental impact to the park’s wetlands and natural areas. The site will be graded so that water containing road salt and any debris will not run off into the detention ponds used to irrigate Community Park West sports fields.

Under the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement, the Village will have exclusive access to and use of the fenced area and an approach road off Central Avenue free of charge during winter months. The Park District will use the lot for overflow parking and storage the rest of the year. V3 Construction Company, the firm handling the $4 million Phase II development of Community Park West will build the lot and access road at an estimated cost of $200,000, which will be reimbursed to the park district by the Village of Glenview. The Village will also pay for any design and consulting costs associated with the project. Either party can cancel the agreement by giving a year’s notice. If the park district wants to upgrade the area to a permanent parking lot for public use before the end of the 10-year period and another suitable site can’t be found, it will reimburse the Village for a portion of the initial construction costs.

The park district and Village have had ongoing discussions over the past several years for an appropriate location to put snow removed from Village property. The Village has been using several temporary sites that aren’t suited for long term use. Plans for the snow dump site were included in the park district’s overall master plan for the development of the 57 remaining acres of Community Park West, which the district broke ground on last May.

Park district and Village officials agree that the Community Park West site is a logical choice because it is located away from residential areas where the noise from trucks dumping snow late at night could be disruptive. Community Park West is also not heavily used in the winter, which will minimize traffic problems through the park.

A salt bin that will serve as a backup to the Village’s primary road salt storage area will be bid and constructed separately and incorporated into plans for a new park district maintenance garage and yard at the south end of Community Park West.

Village, Park District to Move Forward with Joint Administrative Facility

GLENVIEW, IL, Wednesday, July 2, 2008 – At their respective meetings on June 26 and July 1, the Boards of the Glenview Park District and the Village of Glenview gave formal approval to creating a Joint Administrative Facility for the two entities.

For over a year, each organization has been seeking solutions for a number of space-related challenges. The current 28,000-square foot Village Hall at 1225 Waukegan Road was built in 1979. Since that time Glenview’s population has grown from 31,800 to 44,500 and the Village’s service area has grown from six to 13.5 square miles, creating significantly increased demand for services. The building does not have space for current staff; employees are scattered in temporary trailers and other substandard facilities. Additionally, several major building systems are in need of repair.

The Park District is headquartered in an 8,173-square foot facility at 1930 Prairie Street, a local historic landmark that was built in 1929. The building is operationally inefficient and in such poor condition that it needs major repairs and building code updates. The roof, flooring, windows, and HVAC are in need of replacement and the entire building is in need of renovation. The building does not meet ADA accessibility standards. Working conditions are not meeting the current or future needs of the 23-member staff housed at this site.

Each agency initially conducted individual space needs analyses and analyzed a range of solutions, including rehabilitating and constructing additions to their current buildings. In August, 2007 the individual space needs for the Village and Park District were identified as 54,283 and 18,836 square feet, respectively, for a total of 73,119 square feet. However, through value engineering and alternate space use decisions, the square footage for individual buildings was reduced to 41,486 and 17,086, respectively, for a combined total of 58,572 square feet. This represented a space savings of 14,547 square feet. At approximately $230 per square foot, this is an estimated savings of $3,345,810.

Next, the Village and Park District participated in a feasibility study to determine if a joint facility could be beneficial. After comparing the Joint Administrative Facility to their other options, both reached the same conclusion: that combining forces in one facility on the Village’s public campus just north of the Police Station on East Lake Avenue would save taxpayer dollars, increase efficiency, and better serve Glenview’s residents. The joint facility as proposed will be 50,921 square feet, which is an additional savings of 7,651 square feet from the individual building projections. At approximately $230 per square foot this represents a further savings of $1,759,730. The Village’s portion will be 40,221 square feet, while the Park District will occupy the remaining 10,700 square feet.

Total costs for the joint administrative facility are projected at $16,494,085, with the Park District covering $3,463,758 of that amount. Although a financing plan has not yet been adopted, the Village will study funding its share of $13,030,327 with cash and proceeds from the sale of the current Village Hall site to minimize the impact to taxpayers. The net cost of the Village portion of the building -- less the land sale -- would be approximately $8,830,327.

Village President Kerry Cummings noted, “The Board of Trustees is extremely pleased with the careful research into various options for addressing Village Hall space needs. In the final analysis our goal was to find a solution that would best serve our residents – through efficient use of taxpayer dollars and by creating a facility that is more customer-friendly and convenient. We look forward to working closely with the Park District and with the community in the months to come as we move ahead on this project.”

MJ Coulson, Glenview Park District Board President, added, “This recommendation truly represents the spirit as well as the benefits of intergovernmental cooperation. In the end, it’s a real win for our residents: true cost savings, an increase in operational efficiency, reduced use of open space, and the convenience of “one-stop shopping” for all their municipal and Park District needs.”

Now that the two entities have agreed to move forward on the project, the Village and the Park District will begin work on a formal intergovernmental agreement (IGA), which is expected to be presented for Board consideration in August or September. Assuming the IGA is approved, design could start during the 4th Quarter of 2008, construction could commence during the 2nd Quarter of 2009, and occupancy could occur in late 2010 or early 2011.

As the JAF planning process gets underway, the public is invited and encouraged to participate as the project moves through the Village’s regulatory review process. Information about upcoming meetings will be posted on the Village and Park District websites (www.glenview.il.us and www.glenviewparks.org), as well as promoted through each organization’s newsletter, on Glenview Television (channel 17 or 6, depending on your neighborhood) and through E-Glenview, the Village’s free e-news service (you can sign up at the Village website).

Crowley Park Rededication

GLENVIEW, IL, Saturday, June 28, 2008 – The newly renovated Catherine W. Crowley Park and new fieldhouse were rededicated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the park today. The event was attended by Park Board members and staff, Village officials, members of the Crowley family and other community representatives.

Construction of the new fieldhouse and other park renovations were undertaken after the original fieldhouse was burned down by vandals in 2005. Formerly known as Huber Lane Park, the park was renamed in 2003 to honor Catherine W. Crowley, the first woman to serve on the Glenview Park Board and who completed five full six-year terms for a total of 30 years of dedicated service to the community.

Renovation of the park and construction of the new fieldhouse were overseen by SRBL Architects and AT Associates under the supervision of park district land architect Ken Wexler who served as project manager.

Project costs of approximately $900,000 were funded through $215,000 in insurance proceeds, a $162,000 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, a $50,000 legislative line item from the State of Illinois secured by Illinois State Representative Beth Coulson, and $460,000 in developer donation funds.

Amenities at the renovated park include a new energy efficient fieldhouse, covered picnic facilities and grill, playground area with walkways and paths, two bocce ball courts, and seating areas with a drinking fountain and bike rack. The park is located 749 Huber Lane in Glenview.