HomeMy WebLinkAbout050-R-21 Authorizing a Feasibility Study for the Potential Relocation of the Civic Center, Police/Fire Headquarters4/22/2021
50-R-21
A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE POTENTIAL
RELOCATION OF THE CIVIC CENTER AND POLICEIFIRE
HEADQUARTERS
WHEREAS, the City of Evanston, Cook County, Illinois ("City"), is a home
rule unit of government and, pursuant to the provisions of Section 6(a) of Article VII of
the Illinois Constitution, may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to
its government and affairs; and
WHEREAS, the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center located at 2100 Ridge
Avenue was originally constructed in 1901 to be a Catholic Parish boarding school; and
WHEREAS, The City of Evanston acquired the building in the 1970's and
relocated the city hall from downtown Evanston to the location at 2100 Ridge Avenue
following a minimal rehabilitation of the building; and
WHEREAS, as the cost for needed improvements to the building continue
to increase, a discussion began as to the potential relocation of City Hall; and
WHEREAS, in 2018 an analysis of the building's HVAC system revealed
several critical issues, including the failure of multiple heating and cooling systems and
an insufficient electrical system; and
WHEREAS, the estimated capital cost for the replacement HVAC and
electrical system is more than ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00); and
WHEREAS, the City's Climate Action Resiliency Plan (CARP) contains
greenhouse gas emission goals which affect the options for the rehabilitation of the
building's HVAC system; and
WHEREAS, there are also security concerns associated with the layout of
the building because there is little control over certain areas of the building which are
easily accessed by the public; and
WHEREAS, Evanston Police and Fire Headquarters also needs significant
capital improvements; and
WHEREAS, some of the many items that need to be addressed at Police
and Fire Headquarters include replacement of HVAC chillers, foundation repairs,
security improvements, and fiber network upgrades; and
WHEREAS, the estimated cost of improvements at Evanston Police and
Fire Headquarters over the next five years is over five million dollars ($5,000,000.00);
and
WHEREAS, there is a need for a feasibility study of the possibility of
consolidating the services into a single facility containing both the operations of the
Civic Center and Evanston Police and Fire Headquarters because such a study would
provide additional information about potential costs of relocating the buildings and would
also inform the discussion regarding consolidation of city services in a single facility and
what cost savings could be achieved from that possibility; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the City
to direct City Staff to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to study the feasibility of
relocating the buildings.
NOW BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT-
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SECTION 1: The foregoing recitals shall be and hereby are incorporated
in this Section One as if said recitals were fully set forth herein.
SECTION 2: City Staff is directed to issue an RFP to study the feasibility
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of relocating the Civic Center and Police and Fire Headquarters.
SECTION 2: This Resolution 50-R-21 will be in full force and effect from
and after the date of its passage and approval in the manner provided by law.
Attest:
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Eduardo Gomez, Deputy City Clerk
Adopted: April 26 , 2021
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Stephen H. Hagerty, Mayor
Approved as to form:
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Nicholas E. Cummings, Corporation Counsel
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