Holabird & Root completed the Village of Oak Park’s new Public Works Center, which provides spaces for several divisions including administration, building maintenance, forestry, parking, lighting, engineering, solid waste, and fleet services. 

The facility houses indoor parking, fueling, repair, and service space for the entire Village fleet of vehicles. Additionally, it is equipped to handle 1,000 tons of indoor salt storage and handling, and contains Snow Command and Backup Emergency Operations with a 911 Center. 

After the original Public Works Center was destroyed by fire, neighbors expressed concerns during the planning of the new facility. Concerns included safety, noise, light spill, exhaust fumes, unsightly industrial functions, and keeping the building within the scale of the 1920’s-era residential neighborhood. By totally enclosing all of the Center’s functions, neighbors have no view of an industrial yard or Public Works vehicles.

The 155,000-square-foot, LEED Gold certified facility was the first such facility to pursue LEED certification in Illinois. Green features include a 10,000-square-foot Green Roof Garden that reduces stormwater run off, high-efficiency lighting and plumbing systems, provisions for solar water heater collectors, and ultra-efficient mechanical heating and cooling systems. Low-emission paints, adhesives, coatings, sealants, and carpeting were used throughout. Large windows allow ample daylight into the interior of the building.