MOUNT PROSPECTS NEW
PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY

In the fall of 1985, the Mount Prospect Village Board agreed to a contract with Donohue, Hetherington & Associates consulting firm to study the space needs of their Public Works Department. Public Works had outgrown their current building of 27,000 sq. ft. and were storing supplies and equipment at satellite sites owned by the Village. Several previous reports indicated that this off-site storage was impractical and counterproductive.

August 1986 saw our first report from the architect/consultant, with a comprehensive space utilization study. The project team was comprised of the architectural consulting firm's representatives, Public Works staff members, and elected officials. The old facility, built in 1965, was evaluated and analyzed, and the conclusion was that it was not feasible to try expanding that facility. Several options were discussed, as well as community impact, and a cost benefit analysis was made. Following this study, a schematic design report was submitted in November 1986, and a design development report was subsequently accepted in January 1987.

A referendum was held on April 7, 1987, thus fulfilling a commitment the elected officials had made to the voters. The voters of our community approved, by a large margin, to build a new Public Works facility costing up to 6.2 million dollars. Final design and bidding was completed during the summer of 1987, and a ground breaking ceremony was held in August 1987.

The planning process for the new facility was very comprehensive. This was reflected in the final phases of construction, as there were few changes to the initial design, and the facility, with its approximately 80,000 sq. ft. of covered storage on seven acres of land, was built within the original 6.2 million dollar limit.

Adequate garage and storage space was provided to allow storage of equipment and supplies in one location. Separate offices for all administration and supervisory personnel were part of the design, in addition to work shops for signs, meters, carpentry, electrical, forestry and the storekeeper. Our vehicle maintenance area accommodates seven bays with hoists for repair and maintenance of over 108 pieces of equipment plus all Police vehicles. At one end, there is a 40-foot-long, enclosed paint spray booth; the other end has a drive-through wash bay. There is a five-ton-capacity, electrically operated bridge crane spanning the vehicle maintenance shop work bays and a large parts room. All oil is stored underground and is piped into the work stations.

The work shops, vehicle maintenance areas and the administration wing are heated to 72 degrees, while the main garage for equipment is heated to 50 degrees. Our outside fueling station can accommodate eight vehicles at a time and is covered with a lighted canopy. Around the perimeter of the seven-acre site, there are 20 more enclosed, but unheated, garages for storage of mostly seasonal equipment. An additional 15 large, three-sided, covered storage bins hold over 1000 tons of salt, sand, stone, pothole patching material, etc. There is another approximately one acrea of land for storage of maintenance materials and supplies; this area is surrounded by an eight-foot-high wooden fence.

The new facility is situated one mile from the old garage and the center of the community. The entrance into the complex is located at the intersection of two major roadways, and access is controlled by a traffic light. A location map, mounted by the front entrance near the reception desk, includes 72 identifiable areas within the facility.

From the beginning, this project has been viewed

February 1989 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 7

with great anticipation. Long-term and in-depth planning with ongoing consultations have resulted in a cost-effective facility which was completed on time and under budget. It should meet the needs of the community and of the department well into the next century.

Through the past years, the administrative and support services have expanded in response to community development and to meet state, local and federal requirements. The improved operation has increased our productivity and our ability to respond to residents' concerns and service requests, and has enhanced the overall morale of the workers, for over ten years, we have held annual open house festivities allowing residents the opportunity to learn about our programs, talk with the employees, and view the equipment on display. This year will be no exception and they'll also get to see where their tax dollars are going and how much their support was appreciated.

On Saturday, December 3, 1988, we had a grand opening celebration of the new Public Works facility. This event was attended by over 1000 people. A final honor was bestowed upon the Director of Public Works when, at the conclusion of the grand opening ceremonies, Mayor Carolyn Krause unveiled a plaque naming the new building the Herbert L. Weeks Public Works Facility in recognition of nearly 30 years of service and other achievements. •

Census Bureau Will Temporarily
Suspend Special Census Operations

The Census Bureau will temporarily suspend the conduct of reimbursable special censuses for communities requesting them to avoid conflict with decennial census activities, the agency has announced.

Such activities will cease starting on November 1, 1989 and will resume after January 1, 1991.

Meanwhile the bureau will provide cost estimates only for projects that can be completed in the field by October 31, 1989. Except for very small areas, no cost estimates will be provided after April 1, 1989.

Acceptance of cost estimates may be halted even earlier in Census Bureau regional offices already having commitments for a number of special censuses.

The bureau's fees for providing cost estimates are as follows: The fee is $35 for cities, towns, and incorporated places with an estimated population of less than 50,000; $75 for areas of 50,000 or more; and $60 for areas such as counties, county equivalents, and school districts.

States most likely to be affected are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.

Please direct inquiries to George Hum at (301) 763-7854. •

Page 8 / Illinois Municipal Review / February 1989