Lake Forest has purchased a three-story office building, which is nearly 100,000 square feet, for its police department’s new headquarters, which officials say allows for significant cost savings.
The Lake Forest City Council earlier this week unanimously approved the purchase of the building located at 1925 Field Court for reuse as a new police facility.
The decision follows the city council’s approval of a purchase and sale agreement in April and a 90-day due diligence period.
The current Public Safety Building, constructed in the 1960s, cannot fully meet the needs of both the Lake Forest Police Department and the Lake Forest Fire Department in the years ahead, according to city officials.
The 1925 Field Court building is a three-story, 98,304-square-foot property.
City officials acknowledged that the building exceeds the currently anticipated square footage needed for a police facility but said it provides flexibility for the future and opens the door for discussions with other public safety agencies that may be interested in available office space.
“This new facility will enhance our public safety operations and better serve the Lake Forest community,” Lake Forest Mayor Stanford Tack said.
“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,” Tack said.
The city is acquiring the property for $3.5 million and renovating it into a police station.
City officials say the adaptive reuse of the building is cost-effective and environmentally responsible.
“Taking advantage of this unique economic opportunity showcases the City’s forward-looking financial management and is a great example of prudent financial stewardship,” Tack said.
Retrofitting the building is estimated to cost between $24.48 million and $28.82 million, which the city said is significantly less than new construction estimates of $41.6 to $51.6 million.
The building purchase will be funded through capital fund reserves.
“The City Council consistently makes thoughtful financial decisions with impacts to taxpayers in mind,” Tack said.
“Retrofitting the building will minimize the impact on current taxpayers and avoid greater financial burdens for future generations,” Tack added.
The city council will continue discussions in the coming months around funding mechanisms to support the build-out of the police facility.