WILMETTE, Ill.—Wilmette’s decades‑long effort to build a modern police station took a decisive step forward this week, as village trustees signaled their support for awarding the construction contract to Illinois‑based Henry Brothers, a move that arrives with a welcome surprise: a nearly $9 million reduction in projected costs.
During a Feb. 10 meeting, the Village Board reviewed three bids for the new 53,000‑square‑foot facility, ultimately aligning behind staff recommendations to select Henry Brothers, whose $33.2 million proposal was the lowest submitted. With contingencies included, the construction contract is expected to total $34.78 million, still far below earlier estimates that placed construction alone near $39 million.
The updated total project cost now stands at $41.52 million, down from the long‑standing projection of $50.5 million. Officials attributed the savings to competitive bidding and refined planning led by FGM Architects (FGMA), the firm responsible for the station’s design, and CCS International, the village’s owner’s representative.
Henry Brothers brings extensive experience to the table, having completed more than 20 municipal and institutional facilities totaling over 8 million square feet. The company recently built a 35,000‑square‑foot police station in Mokena — a project village engineers say closely parallels Wilmette’s in scale and function.
Beyond cost savings, trustees also endorsed three sustainability features: a green roof, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging stations. The additions will add roughly $400,000 to the contract but were embraced as long‑term investments in resilience and environmental responsibility. Trustee Michael Lieber emphasized the symbolic importance of the upgrades, noting that the building is expected to serve the community for half a century or more.
The new station will replace the aging Ridge Road facility and introduce modern amenities, including a 44‑person multipurpose training room, dedicated social services space, a basement firing range, defensive tactics areas, and expanded evidence processing and digital forensics labs.
Final contract approvals — including agreements with Henry Brothers, FGMA, CCS, and an asbestos abatement provider — are expected Feb. 24. Demolition of the existing station is slated for April, with construction targeted for completion in November 2027, weather permitting.
After nearly three dozen public meetings since early 2024, village leaders say the project is finally within reach. As Village President Senta Plunkett put it, “You’re going to be part of the legacy of Wilmette.”
