VILLA PARK : Residents Size Up City Hall Question

Residents of the county’s smallest city are battling over a proposal that could triple the size of their civic center, a move that some say is necessary and others denounce as a waste of money.

The City Council is considering whether to expand the current 4,600-square-foot site located at the Villa Park Shopping Center to about 12,500 square feet. It also is considering building the center anew on a vacant lot in a residential area, a proposal which irritates many local residents.

Although most agree that the current civic center offices are overcrowded, they are divided on how much is too much, and whether a new site would better serve the community.

City Manager Fred Maley said that the $2.5-million proposal would allow for more office space, a multipurpose conference room and a library expansion.

“What we’re proposing to build is quite small by municipal standards. It’s about the size of a large home,” he said.

However, local resident Don Ebrite assailed the proposed expansion plan, calling it “a pretty dumb idea.”

“There’s no sense in spending money foolishly. If you can accomplish your needs with $100,000, it’s just insanity to do more.”

“There are demonstrated needs for three things: a conference room, sheriffs’ offices and a bunch of storage. You can do all that with 623 square feet” by adding to the back of the current site, Ebrite contends.

Joe Barsa, chairman of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee charged with assessing the needs of the community, said the committee recommended adding at least 4,000 square feet for the library and offices. It also recommended space for the cable television equipment, which now is housed in a trailer. He said a lesser expansion would be shortsighted.

The committee did not make a recommendation about whether City Hall should relocate.

Robert Patchin, who lives near the proposed new site at Villa Park Road and Center Drive, doesn’t want a civic center there.

“Those of us who are upset by this are trying to meet the city’s true needs, not build a monument to somebody’s ego, which seems to be where it was heading,” Patchin said.

But Herb Gallegly, who has lived in the area since 1943, said he supports expansion at the new site as a long-term investment.

“It’s a terrific investment for the people of this community, and (the proposal’s detractors) just can’t see that. This will enhance their lifestyles in the future, and I think we owe it to future generations,” he said.

Many opponents of the proposed relocation criticized the expense of buying the land, the increased traffic and rezoning of a residential area.

“I have a lot of empathy for the people who live there now and whose lifestyle would change. I don’t think many of the people in Villa Park would support a complex of that size on the end of their block,” said Kathy Moran, who does not live near the site.

“I hate to see our community split over something like this,” she added.

At its June 26 meeting, the council voted to continue studying the proposals and solicit information from the Citizens Advisory Committee and from the community via a questionnaire, which will be mailed in the next four to six weeks.

“I think it’s important that no matter how people feel--whether they’re for it or against it--that they communicate with City Hall and let them know how they feel,” resident Chuck Beesley said.