Public Works Move Will 'Better Serve Community' In Buffalo Grove

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — The public works department will have a new home within the next two years. The Village of Buffalo Grove announced Friday an agreement to purchase a new facility to replace the existing Public Service Center, home of the Public Works Department, at 51 Raupp Blvd.

The new Public Works Facility will be located at 1650 Leider Lane, a former warehouse space that has been vacant for more than two years. The Village said retrofitting this location will come at a significantly lower cost compared to a newly constructed building.

The Village identified the expansion of its public works operation as a high priority as part of its 2017 space needs study. Since the current center was dedicated in 1976, the Village’s population has more than tripled. Since that time, staff and equipment have grown to meet the needs of the community.

“Much like the Village’s strategic reinvestment in utility infrastructure, this move represents a long-term strategy to invest in our facilities,” Village Manager Dane Bragg said. “The purchase and reuse of an existing building meets our long-term service needs, while delivering the best value to our residents.”

Over the last two decades, the Public Service Center’s size and age have restricted the Department’s capabilities, including hampering Public Work’s vital emergency response efforts, according to the Village. Lack of adequate and accessible storage affects the immediacy of services, especially during inclement weather or critical water main repairs. The current facility is less than half the recommended size, while the yard and storage areas are roughly one-third of what is needed for efficient operations.

During acquisition, remodeling and relocation, Public Works will continue to operate from its current headquarters. The Village Board will consider options for reuse of the existing facility leading up to the relocation that will be consistent with recommendations of the 2018 Lake Cook Road Corridor Plan.

"Services provided by the Public Works Department touch the daily lives of residents in a variety of ways, including the delivery of fresh water, the transport of wastewater, roadway maintenance, care for trees in the urban forest, cleaning of the streets, snow plowing, and much more," the Village said in a news release regarding the move. "This planned move will support these everyday functions of the Department."

For more information, visit vbg.org/pwfacility.