While talks of replacing the 50-year-old Public Works facility has been discussed among Village Board Members for years, the Village voted to save money by purchasing the existing R&S Sales & Service located at 218 S. Lake of the Woods Rd. on Nov. 26.
Due to lack of space, equipment sits outside the current facility year round, leaving it prone to corrosion and maintenance issues. The Public Works facility also needs office upgrades just to keep the staff there as mold, drainage and insulation issues are of concern.
Mayor Patrick Brown said even if the Village temporarily remodeled the current facility, it is still not big enough to house existing or future equipment purchases. The Village purchased public works vehicles and equipment in Oct.
“Instead of looking at building a whole new facility and buying land to have a new facility that would be a little bit small would probably cost $2M in the end,” Brown said.
The Village purchased the 8000-square-foot facility for $1.1M, and has identified nearly $250,000 in additional remodeling and upgrades.
“By purchasing the existing facility that’s 20 years old, we’re going to have more space than we need, and it’ll end up costing us about $1.4M,” Brown said.
The current showroom is too big for the Village needs, so they will take out walls to add two additional bays. The office area is suits the Village needs. This purchase will allow the Village to house all the equipment.
Within the R&S purchase agreement, the Village also obtains an out-building which Ultimate Detailing Specialists currently uses for business space.
“We do not want to displace a thriving business in the Village,” Brown said. “We’re trying to give them however long it takes to make arrangements for his growing business.”
After Ultimate Detailing Specialists relocates, the Village will use the space for leaf pick-up equipment and mowers.
Brown said while the Village will have to take an alternative route to access the R&S facility until the Lake of the Woods overpass is complete, this long-term decision will benefit the entire community.
The salt shed, which is also in dire need of replacement, will be replaced with a new shed at the R&S location. Brown said the project which will be paid for out of the Motor Fuel Tax will include durable concrete walls and a cloth-like roof material which IDOT also uses.
With winter months approaching, equipment will be moved to the new facility upon purchase.
Brown also envisions a brush drop off site, which will not replace the current brush and limb services, but will add to it one or two Saturdays a month. He said it also opens up the possibility of housing a recycling drop-off, the farmer’s market or a flea market.
