Village Leases Old Police Station and Annex To Greendale Historical Society
July 05, 2007 | 11:21 AM Posted by the Village
Board
As one of only three (3) “Greenbelt Communities”
built by the Federal Government in 1938, the Village
of Greendale is very proud of its unique history. The
Federal Government built Greendale to provide a
“suburban” or “country style” community close to a
major city and employment opportunities.
To serve the new community, the Village constructed a building that served as the original Police Station, Fire Station and Municipal Court (6600 Schoolway), as well as the Annex located behind the building in the Municipal Parking Lot that served as the Hose Tower for the Fire Department to dry their hoses and provide additional storage for other municipal equipment.
In 1972 the Fire Department moved to its own Station located at 6200 W. Loomis Road. The Old Police Station continued to house the Police Department and Municipal Court until 1998 when the Village constructed the new Safety Center – 5911 W. Grange Avenue. The Annex has remained in used by the Village and Village Community organizations for storage.
Since 1998 and the move to the Safety Center, the Old Police Station has remained vacant.
Over the years the Village has received several inquiries about renovating or re-using the Old Police Station and Annex for other uses. In 2006 the Village sought renovation and re-use proposals for both buildings. Three (3) proposals were submitted. One proposal came from the Greendale Historical Society to renovate and convert the Old Police Station and Annex into a historical museum, community meeting room, office rental, gift shop and community bathrooms. A second proposal from Robert & Lawrence Popp sought to only convert the Old Police Station into a Community Arts Studio, retail and other possible uses. The Greendale Park & Recreation Department proposed expanding and renovating only the Annex into a daycare center.
After careful consideration to determine what would be the best use for the buildings and the Village as a whole, on July 3, 2007, the Village Board of Trustees selected the Greendale Historical Society’s proposal to convert both the Old Police Station and Annex. The Village will lease the buildings to the Greendale Historical Society for $1.00/year for twenty-five years, with five, 5-year lease renewal options.
Village President John R. Hermes said “Greendale is a very special and historic community and utilizing the Old Police Station and Annex as a museum to help promote and educate people about that history was clearly the most attractive option for the buildings. The Village Board of Trustees is very excited by this opportunity and proud to work with the Greendale Historical Society to achieve these goals.”
Starting July 4th, the Greendale Historical Society will begin its ambitious goal of generating $2.0 Million dollars in grants, endowments, donations, etc. to undertake the necessary renovations and make the museum operational. The lease with the Village gives the Greendale Historical Society until September 1, 2008 (14 months) to generate the funding. If the Greendale Historical Society is unable to attain the $2.0 Million by that time (September 2008), the lease will not commence and the Village will need to re-evaluate the future of the two (2) buildings. Village President Hermes said “the Greendale Historical Society has set their goals high to provide an outstanding museum. The Village shares the Historical Society’s optimism and will be as supportive and accommodating as possible in order to have the project succeed.”
Greendale Historical Society President, Sally Chadwick said “the Greendale Historical Society is very appreciative of all the Village Board’s help and support in selecting their proposal. The Greendale Historical Society recognizes the opportunity it has been given and has been re-energized to succeed.” The Greendale Historical Society has sought to develop a historical museum in Greendale for many years.
Ms. Chadwick noted that the $2.0 Million fundraising goal necessary to renovate the buildings and make the museum operational will not be easy, but she has every confidence that it will occur. “The history of Greendale and the Greenbelt Communities is so special, once people learn about our proposal we know that they will share our passion to see that history preserved.” Ms. Chadwick added, “Today’s a great day for the Village of Greendale, the Greendale Historical Society and history in general.”
The Village of Greendale, including the Old Police Station and Annex are listed on the State and Federal Registry of Historic Places. Any renovations of the buildings are required to maintain the buildings historical significance. Ms. Chadwick noted “we obviously want to preserve the historic integrity of the buildings, and in fact want to make renovations to the buildings to make them return to how they looked in 1938.”
If all goes as hoped, the Greendale Historical Society plans to have the Old Police Station and Annex renovated and operational as a museum by the summer of 2010.
To serve the new community, the Village constructed a building that served as the original Police Station, Fire Station and Municipal Court (6600 Schoolway), as well as the Annex located behind the building in the Municipal Parking Lot that served as the Hose Tower for the Fire Department to dry their hoses and provide additional storage for other municipal equipment.
In 1972 the Fire Department moved to its own Station located at 6200 W. Loomis Road. The Old Police Station continued to house the Police Department and Municipal Court until 1998 when the Village constructed the new Safety Center – 5911 W. Grange Avenue. The Annex has remained in used by the Village and Village Community organizations for storage.
Since 1998 and the move to the Safety Center, the Old Police Station has remained vacant.
Over the years the Village has received several inquiries about renovating or re-using the Old Police Station and Annex for other uses. In 2006 the Village sought renovation and re-use proposals for both buildings. Three (3) proposals were submitted. One proposal came from the Greendale Historical Society to renovate and convert the Old Police Station and Annex into a historical museum, community meeting room, office rental, gift shop and community bathrooms. A second proposal from Robert & Lawrence Popp sought to only convert the Old Police Station into a Community Arts Studio, retail and other possible uses. The Greendale Park & Recreation Department proposed expanding and renovating only the Annex into a daycare center.
After careful consideration to determine what would be the best use for the buildings and the Village as a whole, on July 3, 2007, the Village Board of Trustees selected the Greendale Historical Society’s proposal to convert both the Old Police Station and Annex. The Village will lease the buildings to the Greendale Historical Society for $1.00/year for twenty-five years, with five, 5-year lease renewal options.
Village President John R. Hermes said “Greendale is a very special and historic community and utilizing the Old Police Station and Annex as a museum to help promote and educate people about that history was clearly the most attractive option for the buildings. The Village Board of Trustees is very excited by this opportunity and proud to work with the Greendale Historical Society to achieve these goals.”
Starting July 4th, the Greendale Historical Society will begin its ambitious goal of generating $2.0 Million dollars in grants, endowments, donations, etc. to undertake the necessary renovations and make the museum operational. The lease with the Village gives the Greendale Historical Society until September 1, 2008 (14 months) to generate the funding. If the Greendale Historical Society is unable to attain the $2.0 Million by that time (September 2008), the lease will not commence and the Village will need to re-evaluate the future of the two (2) buildings. Village President Hermes said “the Greendale Historical Society has set their goals high to provide an outstanding museum. The Village shares the Historical Society’s optimism and will be as supportive and accommodating as possible in order to have the project succeed.”
Greendale Historical Society President, Sally Chadwick said “the Greendale Historical Society is very appreciative of all the Village Board’s help and support in selecting their proposal. The Greendale Historical Society recognizes the opportunity it has been given and has been re-energized to succeed.” The Greendale Historical Society has sought to develop a historical museum in Greendale for many years.
Ms. Chadwick noted that the $2.0 Million fundraising goal necessary to renovate the buildings and make the museum operational will not be easy, but she has every confidence that it will occur. “The history of Greendale and the Greenbelt Communities is so special, once people learn about our proposal we know that they will share our passion to see that history preserved.” Ms. Chadwick added, “Today’s a great day for the Village of Greendale, the Greendale Historical Society and history in general.”
The Village of Greendale, including the Old Police Station and Annex are listed on the State and Federal Registry of Historic Places. Any renovations of the buildings are required to maintain the buildings historical significance. Ms. Chadwick noted “we obviously want to preserve the historic integrity of the buildings, and in fact want to make renovations to the buildings to make them return to how they looked in 1938.”
If all goes as hoped, the Greendale Historical Society plans to have the Old Police Station and Annex renovated and operational as a museum by the summer of 2010.
