County hears schematic design for new transit garage; option priced near $3.3 million

Boone County officials reviewed schematic designs Thursday for a new transit facility that would store up to 12 buses and provide office and limited maintenance space on the county administration campus.
Dan Saavedra, Saavedra Group Architects, told the board the design team recommends “Option 3,” a compact but functional garage that uses a pre-engineered structural frame with a concrete foundation and translucent polycarbonate wall panels to bring daylight into the space. Saavedra said the recommended option “gives us a functional building with a full department, in a relatively, smaller area” and preserves the option to add a bus-wash later.
The architect and county-contracted designer Randy Darnell of CCS said the project balances contemporary aesthetics and energy performance with the county’s modest budget. Darnell told the board he and his team would provide recommended budgets, options and a bidding strategy by next week.
Why it matters: County staff told the committee the capital funding currently set aside for the project is $3 million. Saavedra said the functional Option 3 would cost roughly $3.3 million (not including A/E fees) with a contractor contingency reflected in the estimate; he also referenced a roughly $416,000 contingency component. Staff said accelerating approval would let contractors place foundations before winter, shortening schedule risk and improving bid interest.
Key details: Saavedra described differences among options the team studied: a minimal “box” under $3 million that lacked needed office and maintenance function; larger options that approached “not economically feasible” cost levels; and Option 3, which consolidates administration, restrooms and a single maintenance bay while leaving room for a future bus-wash. Saavedra said a manufactured polycarbonate panel specified for much of the garage wall has U.S. manufacture, 20–30 year warranty coverage per the manufacturer, and available translucent and opaque finishes that reduce daytime electric lighting needs.
Board members pressed on durability, water sealing and storm performance. Saavedra and Darnell said the polycarbonate panels are mechanically fastened with seals, can be replaced panel-by-panel, and that structural bracing and pre-engineered framing provide wind performance similar to or better than typical pre-engineered buildings; they cautioned designs do not guarantee survival in an F5 event.
Maintenance and operations: Transit operations staff (Erin) said current maintenance is outsourced and that the new building’s maintenance bay is intended for minor maintenance and to allow future IDOT mobile-maintenance support; major mechanical overhauls would still be outsourced unless the county invests in additional lifts and equipment. The design includes oil/water separators for runoff and space to add power-wash connections if the county later installs an automated bus-wash (equipment-only cost cited at roughly $350,000–$400,000 by the design team).
Site and parking: The architect explained that the chosen site near Logan Avenue places utilities and future bus-wash routing conveniently; the design also contemplates reconfiguring adjacent campus parking to 90-degree stalls to gain roughly 20–25 additional spaces at low cost.
Funding prospects: Staff noted a $3 million Rebuild Illinois award previously received for the project and said Congressman LaHood had again nominated the project for an additional $2 million in congressional community project funding (tentative; notification expected early next year). Staff also said they have applied for an IDOT grant round to supplement capital funds and would report back on grant outcomes when available.
Next steps: The architects asked the board to approve the schematic design (Option 3) so the project can be put out to bid this fall; staff requested the board review the materials and said a formal action is expected within about two weeks. No formal county decision to award or contract construction was taken at the meeting.