Wilmette commission requests softer police-station design, as plans approach first checkpoint

Planners tasked with designing Wilmette’s upcoming massive public facility project still have a ways to go to secure the blessing of one of the village’s key advisory boards.

Representatives from FGM Architects returned to Wilmette’s Appearance Review Commission Monday, July 7 for a third non-binding advisory analysis of the firm’s pending designs for the village’s proposed new police station.

Although commissioners indicated a belief that design plans have progressed, they also made clear their multiple objections about the current site plan. Several commissioners again noted concerns that the building lacks fit within the surrounding neighborhood and overall community and expressed hesitation with the design materials used, the structure’s massing and a significant lack of landscaping.

FGMA first pitched its concepts to the commission in early February, as The Record reported, and returned in early June with updated plans. While the police station project requires no vote from the commission, village officials asked the group to offer feedback on the proposed design for the large-scale effort that now comes with an estimated price tag of $50.5 million.

Mike Elliott, a representative of FGMA, told commissioners during the July 7 session that the firm’s goal remains to use as much of the current police station site as possible and that designers are trying to “keep the building as tight as we can.”

Elliott also briefly detailed a few of the recent site updates, including new entry drive access off Ridge Road, an added access point along the site’s alleyway and revisions to the proposed station’s entry plaza.

FGMA, in partnership with residents of the neighboring Village Green Atrium, also plans to construct a new sidewalk on the site that will provide additional access behind the Atrium building, Elliott said.

Atrium residents on multiple occasions have addressed Wilmette trustees to share concerns about the proposed site plan for the new facility. Village officials committed to working with residents from the senior-living condominium building to find viable solutions to address their hesitations.

A common opinion several commissioners conveyed throughout the July 7 meeting was that the current design of the building does not fit the character of the neighborhood and village and does not convey an inviting feel to the community.

Commissioner Richard Brill said that planners are “moving in the right direction” but noted that he believes the design looks “cold and institutional compared to the streetscape and the setting.” He encouraged Elliot and the FGMA team to “soften the building and be more cognizant of the other colors that are up and down Ridge Road.”

Board member Douglas Johnson stated his belief that the building “has to be a part of the community.”

“It’s nicely designed, but there’s a sense, though, of is this a part of the community? And that is what’s missing for me,” Johnson said.

Jeffery Saad said the current design to him feels too “office building-ish,” adding that it “doesn’t say police or police station in any way to me.”

Commission Chair Devan Castellano noted similar feedback to her fellow board members while also stressing the importance of improving the site’s landscaping plans.

“There has to be some sort of introduction of more landscaping to this site,” she said.

At multiple points throughout the meeting, Elliot stressed the challenges of building within the limitations placed on the project, mainly using as little space as possible.

Next steps

Elliot told the commission that he’ll return to its meeting next month, scheduled for Aug. 4, to present additional, more varied design options for the police station.

But prior to that appearance, FGMA will first reach its initial checkpoint with village trustees.

As previously reported by The Record, village officials are planning what they described as “four formal checkpoints” for the project. The first checkpoint — which FGMA is still on track to meet, Elliot told The Record — will occur during the Village Board’s next meeting in late July.

That checkpoint includes a review of updated plans, exterior elevations and project costs with trustees.

The second and third checkpoints will be crossed during the development of construction documents, with officials slated to conduct one each at 50% and 95% completion. A final checkpoint will come in December of this year or January of next right before the targeted goal of awarding the project’s construction contract.

In late April of this year, Wilmette officials updated the new estimated cost of the project to $50.5 million and said the target approximate size for the facility will be 53,000 square feet.

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