Elmhurst Needs New Police Station: Mayor

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin this week explained what he saw as the need for a new police station.

The current station was built in 1990.

In his State of the City address, Levin said many people believe the station looks good. But he said it has many safety defects, saying a new station is "something we have to do."

The police station was built, he said, "not because it was a remarkable, great design but because the marching orders were 'here's how much money we have.' There was no police architect."

As police departments recruit, they find that prospective officers are taking into account the quality of buildings, Levin said.

Patch wrote a story in November about a City Council discussion on the new station. Officials have said a new station would cost tens of millions of dollars.

Levin also spoke about the plans for a new train station. In less than four years, the estimates for the new station have risen to more than $40 million, from $25 million.

The city, the mayor said, has always planned to pay for most of the project with outside grants. Now, the city has about $38 million in such money.

"The grants never quite seem to catch up," Levin said. "Our city manager is working on additional funding. We hope to get that one off the ground."

Last week, a city official said the project may go out to bid in June, but she left open the possibility it may not start this year.