City of Highland Park, IL
Qualifications Based Selection (QBS)
Request For Qualifications (RFQ)
Ravinia Fire Station Redevelopment
At the January 27, 2020 City Council meeting, a resolution was passed approving an agreement with Williams Architects, Inc., of Itasca, Illinois, authorizing their design and engineering services for the replacement of the Ravinia Fire Station No. 32 located at 692 Burton Avenue, Highland Park, Illinois.
The agreement calls for conceptual designs and engineering to be completed by December 2020 along with projected costs for construction. Williams Architects will work with city staff on the design and engineering aspects of the project and the redevelopment will progress through a planned public process.
The Ravinia Fire Station is a renovated single family residence and does not have the functionality of up-to-date emergency response facilities.
In 2015, the Fire Department reassessed properties to identify and confirm the best location in which to operate Fire Station No. 32. Using geographic information system data, the Department explored several locations to build a new fire station.
In 2017, seven community information meetings were coordinated so the neighbors and the general public could learn about the proposed station development plans and to obtain public feedback. The neighbors were supportive of replacing the existing site, but not interested in the City expanding into the residential neighborhood.
In September of 2019, the City Council approved the staff recommendation of the redevelopment to take place on the existing fire station site.
In late 2019, the City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and the staff team, including representatives from the City Manager’s Office, Fire Department and Public Works Department, reviewed eight proposals from architectural and project management firms. Three firms were invited present their qualifications and proposals to a panel. After a comprehensive review, the City selected Williams Architects as the most qualified firm. Williams Architects has extensive municipal experience that includes multiple fire, police and public safety facilities. The proposals are available for review upon request.