Study commissioned to explore future of public works garage in downtown Glencoe

A study that could play a significant role in determining the future of a key parcel in the heart of Glencoe now has the green light to move forward.

Village trustees during their Dec. 11 meeting approved a resolution authorizing Williams Architects to conduct a space needs analysis at Village properties.

According to village documents, the Itasca-based architectural firm will produce a study that offers a “comprehensive assessment” of departmental space needs and also develop conceptual planning options “for future operations.” The resolution was approved with a cost not to exceed $66,796.

Per a village memo from Adam Hall, Glencoe’s assistant village manager, the village has not completed a detailed space planning assessment in “many years.” Glencoe’s primary operating facilities of Village Hall and the public works garage were first built in 1956.

A particular focus of the study will be the public works garage, 675 Village Court, which Hall noted “occupies a significant parcel with redevelopment potential.”

The village’s departmental operational needs, per Hall, were last assessed in 2001 and have “changed significantly” in the last 25 years.

The study could be a key first step in determining what the future of a key site in downtown Glencoe might look like.

“As the Village considers whether the Public Works Garage site is appropriate for possible redevelopment, understanding the type of structure the Village may need to construct to replace it will be a critical component of determining possible next steps,” Hall says in his memo.

Glencoe in November of this year issued a request for proposal for the study and received submissions from eight firms. Williams Architects was selected largely because of its qualified personnel with experience in both new construction and remodels, Hall noted.

Williams has recently completed work with the villages of Schaumburg and Oswego.

The firm will also provide Glencoe officials with preliminary cost estimates for any options it proposes so planners can better detail next steps for future budgeting.

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