Construction is underway on a 53,000-square-foot police station at 710 Ridge Rd. in Wilmette after the village broke ground June 9. The $41.5 million project requires no property tax increase, village officials say, and came in roughly $13.5 million below the original staff estimate of $55 million.
Demolition of the 1968 station began in April, site excavation started in May, and the roof is projected to be enclosed by January 2027. The goal is substantial completion by late 2027.
Village Manager Mike Braiman told trustees at the February 24 board meeting that the project represents a milestone after years of planning. "Originally staff projected the cost to be $55 million; however, with the favorable bids received, we are at $41.5 million, which is great news for the taxpayers and community," Braiman said.
The $55 million was an early staff estimate. The board's working project budget had been approximately $50.5 million, making the final cost about 18% below that figure. Braiman noted that favorable bid pricing allowed the village to reallocate funds originally earmarked for the station's debt service to the road program beginning in 2027. The village attributed the savings to long-term financial planning, though the specific funding mechanism for the project has not been detailed publicly.
The savings stem from competitive bidding. Henry Bros. Co. of Hickory Hills submitted the lowest of three prequalified bids at $33.2 million for construction. The Village Board voted 7-0 on February 24 to award the contract, capped at $34.78 million with contingencies. FGM Architects of Oak Brook and CCS International of Oakbrook Terrace are handling design and owner's representation, respectively. Calvin Rink, Henry Bros. business development manager, is serving as the firm's project manager.
The village has been evaluating a new station since the early 2000s, added the project to its capital plan in 2017, and held 35 public meetings since hiring FGM Architects for a needs assessment in 2023.
What's inside
The new station will include a basement firing range, a digital forensics lab, a 44-person multipurpose room, private rooms for residents to meet with officers, and dedicated social support spaces. A green roof, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging stations add roughly $400,000 to the project but will aid stormwater management and reduce grid dependency.
Parking includes 61 staff spaces, 23 of them underground for police vehicles, plus 5 visitor spots.
Howard Park and Ridge Road impact
A portion of Howard Park adjacent to the construction site is being used for contractor parking and material staging, according to the village's project page. That area will be refurbished for Wilmette Park District use once the station is complete. Construction hours run 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. During certain phases, Ridge Road traffic may be reduced to one lane.
Where police are operating
The Wilmette Police Department moved to a temporary facility at 3220 Big Tree Lane during construction. Lobby hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Police services continue without interruption.
North Shore government week ahead
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Wilmette Village Board, 7 p.m., Village Hall, 1200 Wilmette Ave., Council Chambers.
- Northfield Village Board, scheduled to adopt an ordinance setting the public hearing date for its proposed Tax Increment Financing district covering 141 parcels and 108 acres of the Village Center commercial corridor. A public hearing would follow on Tuesday, August 25.
