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LIBERTYVILLE'S NEW VILLAGE HALL
AND CIVIC CENTER
Mayor Jo Ann Eckmann and the Libertyville Board
of Trustees held a dedication ceremony and open house
for the renovated Village Hall and Civic Center on
Sunday, May 22, 1994. The completion of the new
Village Hall and Civic Center has been an important
part of the Village's overall downtown renovation program which is being funded by a TIF district.
In 1992 the Village hired FGM an architectural firm
located in Oak Brook to conduct a space study to develop several options for the Village to consider regarding the use of its facilities. The option selected by the
Village was to renovate the old Fire Station into the new
Village Hall, turn the old Post Office into a new Civic
Center and remodel the former Village Hall. This option was selected because it makes maximum usage of
property owned by the Village and placed the Civic
Center, Board Room and Administrative and Finance
Departments in close proximity to downtown pedestrian traffic. The option also allowed the Village to
restate its commitment to maintaining a presence in the
downtown area.
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The new Village Hall, which houses the Mayor,
Board of Trustees, Administration and Finance operations, opened for business on January 3, 1994. The original building was constructed in 1948 to serve as the first
Village Fire Station. There is 10,403 square feet of space
in the new Village Hall. These Village Hall operations
moved from the Schertz Municipal Building (former
Village Hall) where the Public Works, Planning and
Police Department are located, and which is scheduled
for renovation in 1995. The Village Board room in the
new Village Hall can seat 80-100 people, as opposed to
the former room which seated approximately 30 people. |
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The Village purchased the former Post Office in
1992 with the goal of renovating it into a new Civic
Center. With financial assistance from the Civic Center
Foundation of Libertyville, Libertyville Township and
a Lake County Grant, the Village began renovation
work in May of 1993. The project cost $413,563 excluding the volunteer work and donations provided mainly
by Libertyville residents. The Civic Center serves as a
meeting and recreation facility for area seniors, youth
and community organizations. The Village has entered
into a lease agreement with the Civic Center Foundation for the day-to-day operation of the Civic Center.
There is 9,425 square feet of usable space in the center.
The new Civic Center will provide a space for the
senior's organization to hold daily luncheons as well as
other events; there is a new teen center as well as a craft
room and general classroom in the downstairs area. The
Civic Center is served by a renovated parking lot which
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was also programmed through the TIF district. The
Village received the 1994 Governor's Home Town
Award in recognition for the direct involvement and
benefit that the senior population of the Village will
receive from the new Civic Center.
November 1994 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 15
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