Delay Upgrades For Elmhurst Police Station, City Hall: Official

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst alderman this week recommended delaying improvements to the police station and city hall until officials decide on the fate of those buildings.

In the next month or two, the city is expecting the release of a study on the options for the buildings. Officials have suggested they could either rebuild the facilities or construct new ones.

"My feeling is that we probably shouldn't be spending too much on long-term capital improvements on either facility or related to either facility until we really get an answer on what we're going to do," Alderman Bob Dunn said at Monday's City Council meeting.

City Manager Jim Grabowski said the city can include a gender-neutral restroom and a wellness room at City Hall at little cost. Also, new carpeting is planned for hallways at City Hall because the current carpeting is described as in bad shape.

Dunn questioned a proposed expenditure of $400,000 for a screening wall for the Schiller parking deck facing the police station. This would limit people's views of the station and block them from dropping items off the southern part of the deck, according to the city.

"It would be best not to make this expenditure until we have full clarity on what we're doing with the building, whether it's staying there or moving somewhere else," Dunn said.

Alderman Mark Mulliner, however, said the city should consider going forward with the expenditure. He said the city wouldn't have a new station for at least a couple of years.

"(We) need to keep our police officers safe as they're crossing from one building to another," Mulliner said. "If they see a need for it, I think we should continue to have it in the budget."

Mayor Scott Levin said money for the items may remain in the budget, but not necessarily be spent next year.