Highland Park Library Approves Architects For Review

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Highland Park's city council last week approved a plan to hire Williams Architects, an Itasca firm with experience renovating libraries, to prepare a study on expanding the Highland Park Public Library on the Laurel Avenue. The city said it is working with the library to explore a possible expansion and to better meet community demand for space and services as well as improve parking and traffic flow. In an effort to become more efficient while providing the highest level of services, the council is also exploring the relocation of Youth and/or Senior Services to an expanded library facility, according to an announcement.

An agreement with Williams Architects was approved by the city council at an April 24 meeting, following what the city described as a comprehensive review of proposals by an eleven-panel committee consisting of city and library representatives. The consultant will perform a formal needs assessment and provide architectural design and preliminary engineering.

Public focus group meetings are planned as part of the needs assessment; dates will be announced mid-May 2017.

At the meeting last week, Councilwoman Kim Stone asked City Manager Ghida Neukirch why Williams was chosen despite not submitting the lowest bid, according to the Daily North Shore. Neukirch told her all proposals had been reviewed by the mayor, library board members and at least one council member before Williams had been recommended, according to DNS.

The study is being funded with $52,500 in library funds, but the Tribune reports there is an understanding that a future agreement will law out a formula to divide the costs between the city and library budgets based on how space each uses.

In February 2017, the city and library coordinated three meetings with area neighbors to review a possible expansion and solicit feedback. The inclusion of city services was the result of on-going discussion and input by advisory groups, residents, the city and library dating back to 2015.

The two properties immediately east of the library located at 444 and 466 Laurel Avenue were purchased by the City of Highland Park. These adjacent properties would make a facility and/or parking expansion more feasible. The City Council approved the residential real estate contract at the October 24, 2016 City Council meeting for a total of $1.55 million.

“As residents, we know the value of high-quality community services. After careful consideration, the City is pleased to explore this possible partnership and development to meet current and future needs,” stated Mayor Nancy Rotering. “The inclusion of Senior and Youth Services is a way to better serve residents of all ages in a convenient, easy to access, state of the art facility while creating efficiencies and strengthening resources, programs and services.”

“The Library approached the City with a request to assist with inadequate parking and a possible Library expansion to better serve more than 1,000 visitors that they serve daily,” said City Manager Ghida Neukirch. “We are pleased to be working collaboratively with all stakeholders as we take steps to achieve a thoughtful solution to meet the needs of residents today and for years to come.”

Library Board President Jerry Aufox stated, "We are grateful to Highland Park’s City Council and staff for collaborating with us to possibly expand the Library. We look forward to working with the City and residents as we plan to bring new concepts and services which will enrich our community and its residents for years to come."

Highland Park Public Library Executive Director Jane Conway stated, “A possible Library expansion provides an opportunity for us to consider solutions to longstanding issues including parking and an undersized Youth Services Department.”

Senior Services are currently housed at the Highland Park Senior Center at 54 Laurel Avenue. The facility is a renovated 1929 residential property that has posed several service challenges including parking limitations, accessibility issues within the facility and limited space for programming. The Senior Services Division provides more than 900 services throughout the year to the public.

Youth Services are currently housed in the Firehouse Youth Center located at 1830 Green Bay Road. The Firehouse is in need of significant capital improvement. The facility is a multi-purpose renovated fire station that includes an activity center, study room, counseling area, meeting room and staff offices.

For more information, including a list of questions and answers about this initiative, visit the City’s web site or call the City Manager’s Office at 847-926-1000.

» via the City of Highland Park

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