Lake County Gazette

Lake Forest city staff has recommended that the City Council award a $1.56 million contract to Cordogan Clark for design, construction drawings, and cost-estimating services for the adaptive reuse of the 1925 Field Court office building as the city's future police station.

According to the agenda for its Sept. 16 meeting, the City Council approved the purchase of the Field Court office building for $3.5 million in July. It then requested proposals to adapt the building to serve as a new police station. After 31 firms expressed interest, the city received eight bids ranging from $1.12 million to $1.95 million. Three firms were selected for additional review based on experience, qualifications, expertise, and experience with police stations and adapting office buildings for police stations.

Cordogan Clark's bid was slightly below the city's cost estimates, according to the agenda for its Sept. 16 meeting. The firm has experience with large municipal projects, including police stations in places like Aurora, Peru, and Elburn. It led the design and plan development process for a similar project in Yorkville.

The agenda also noted that Cordogan Clark offers project management services, which were not included in the current proposal. Staff will return to the council to discuss how to oversee construction activity.