County Moves Forward with Veterans Building Renovations, Questions Arise on Pace Building Plans

Will County’s Capital Improvements Committee received updates Tuesday on multiple county facility projects, including progress on the Copperfield Drive building renovations for veterans services, while discussions revealed questions about the future of the county-owned Pace Building.

Bill Fern, county facilities manager, reported that officials are conducting mechanical system walkthroughs this week at 1300 Copperfield Drive, the future home of the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC). The building, acquired by the county for approximately $4 million from funds previously allocated for the Pace Building project, will house the VAC after renovations that include roof work, glazing, and interior modifications.

“The veterans are completely tickled with what we’re doing. We’re giving them a whole new space,” said Mike Mahoney, representing the county executive’s office. “They can anticipate in November being able to move in there barring anything.”

Mahoney noted that material shortages and price fluctuations might cause delays in obtaining air handlers and other mechanical equipment needed for the three-story building, which includes a lower level and two upper floors.

The renovations will consolidate services currently housed in a leased space on Glenwood Avenue, which the county will not renew when it expires at the end of the year.

Committee discussion revealed questions about the Pace Building, which the county purchased but is now apparently considering for an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Joliet. Committee member Julie Burwitz expressed concern about the shift in plans.

“We approved the purchase of that based on the need within the county, not for Joliet,” Burwitz said. “We had a lengthy discussion about the clerk’s office, the state’s attorney and all of these departments, land use, being able to consolidate these rental properties so we can get rid of that burden. It was not about Joliet.”

Mahoney responded that the county is in active negotiations with Joliet regarding the property but did not provide specifics about potential terms. He indicated a meeting was scheduled for Thursday with city officials to “finalize one loose end with the lease.”

Several committee members questioned the status of funds initially allocated for the Pace Building. Committee member Steve Balich asserted that $5 million had been budgeted for the project, while Mahoney maintained that the board had approved $4 million, which had been reallocated to the Copperfield Drive project for veterans services.

The Pace Building is currently being used by the county as a temporary headquarters for operations related to the Sunny Hill bed replacement project, with that use expected to end this week.

In other projects, Fern reported that renovations are planned for the second and third floors of the court annex building to convert former courtrooms into office space for the state’s attorney’s staff. The county is also consolidating land use and public defender offices from multiple floors to two floors in their leased space on Clinton Street, which Fern said will create “a nominal increase in our lease space price” but improve operational efficiency.

The committee also received updates on the county’s facility needs assessment, which recently began with surveys distributed to department heads. This assessment will be combined with a space needs evaluation being conducted by Wight and Company to develop a comprehensive facilities plan.