Lake County Gazette

The Lake Forest City Council has approved the allocation of $3.5 million for the acquisition of a property at 1925 Field Court, intended to be renovated into a new police facility. The council's decision was made on July 15.

"This new facility will enhance our public safety operations and better serve the Lake Forest community," Mayor Stanford Tack said in a Lake Forest news release. "It is a testament to our commitment to high-quality services and ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents for many decades to come."

According to a Lake Forest news release, the building exceeds the anticipated square footage needed for a police facility. The current Public Safety building, constructed in the 1960s, cannot meet the future needs of the police and fire departments. The Field Court building is a three-story, 98,304-square-foot property.

The Facility Condition Assessment and Space Needs Analysis conducted during the due diligence period confirm that retrofitting the building will cost between $24.48 million and $28.82 million, according to a Lake Forest news release. This is significantly less than new construction estimates of $41.6 million to $51.6 million.

Funding mechanisms will be discussed by the city council, according to a Lake Forest news release. The next steps include issuing a request for proposals for architectural services, design work, and construction plans. Updates on the project can be found at cityoflakeforest.com/policestation.