New Village Hall For
Village Of Machesney Park

The Village of Machesney Park's governmental offices moved into its new 10,000 square foot facility in November of 1986. The new village hall is located at 300 Machesney Road, which is on the peripheral property of the Machesney Park Mall.

The building was built on a four acre parcel of land donated by Melvin Simon and Associates, the owners of the Machesney Park Mall. The addition of this new village hall on the peripheral property of the mall was envisioned as a catalyst to encourage economic development of the remainder of the peripheral property. Since the village hall has been built, one fast service restaurant has been built and other developments are in the planning stage. This addition of the government offices makes the Machesney Park Mall area truly Machesney Park's downtown.

The architectural firm of Zeigfreid and Edwards designed the building, and it was built by the Machesney Park firm of Rockford Structures. The building cost approximately $500,000.00 and was financed completely through "Build Illinois" funds.

Ground was broken in March 1986 and the building was completed in November of the same year. In January 1987 and open house was held and over 300 citizens toured the new facility.

Previously, the governmental offices were housed in a leased facility of less than 4,000 square feet. The new building contains the Mayor's office, Clerk's office, Treasurer's office and offices for the Director of Public Works, Director of Planning & Economic Development, Zoning Officer and Building Inspector. Another wing of the building houses the contracted

August 1987 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 11

police force. That area includes the police chief's office, detective's office, squad room, evidence room, communication room and holding cell. The board room has seating capacity for 125 citizens. There is also an attached six car garage that is used for the police cars and public works vehicles.

Approximately $70,000.00 was spent on new furnishings. These new furnishings include modular desks for all of the offices as well as expanded table top work surfaces for the secretarial areas. New computer equipment is now being purchased to augment the existing system.

There are two centralized secretarial areas which have proven to be exceptionally efficient. A central filing area for the zoning officer, building department and economic development department has also been deemed very efficient by all department supervisors.

Page 12 / Illinois Municipal Review / August 1987