1+1+1=1: Parks Department Starts Work on Admin Building Renovations

The St. Charles Parks and Recreation Department had to get creative when they realized back in 2011 that they would not have the money to expand their Administration Building the way they'd hoped.

The lowest bid for their hoped-for expansion project from came in at $619,000.  The department had budgeted $589,000 for the project, and parks board members were concerned about decreasing tax revenue.

READ MORE: Parks Administration Office Expansion Put On Hold

But instead of giving up, the department came up with a plan. They decided to combine the three buildings currently connected by a breezeway—Administration, Enterprise and Ranger/Maintenance—into a single building.

With all three buildings under a shared roof, the breezeways could become usable office space, Assistant Director of Parks Chris Atkinson told Patch.

"Every surface is being refinished—repainted, carpeted or tiled," Atkinson said. "We're adding new lighting, and everything will be energy-efficient," he said.

The parks department's own construction crew is currently at work with some of the smaller interior changes, while design is worked out to connect and re-roof the buildings.

A temporary trailer in the parking lot will be used for offices during interior construction work.

On the agenda for the May 1 board meeting is a change order for the department's new furniture, which will cost $130,000, and a contract for new doors for $11,000. Carpet, tile and tile installation contracts have already been approved, at a maximum amount of $37,000.