HOBART — On Sept. 2, the Hobart Village Board met to discuss the need for a new police station and municipal center to serve the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department and the Village of Hobart. The issue has been under consideration since October 2016, when Bray Associates Architects Inc. conducted a comprehensive facility analysis and departmental needs assessment.
The study focused on the village hall and police department building, both fire stations, the Department of Public Works (DPW)/Utilities Garage and the Woodland Worship Center.
The study “aimed to identify the opportunities and challenges of the existing locations, review the programmatic challenges of the departments and propose a series of solutions to address the identified and prioritized needs.”
The final draft of the report, released in June 2017, recommended the board consider several proposals ranging in cost from $14.5 million to $15.2 million.
At the time, the village did not have the debt capacity to pursue all of the projects.
Since then, Hobart has experienced substantial growth. In that time a new fire station was built in place of the less than up-to-code fire station at the time.
The village’s tax base has increased from $771.6 million in 2016 to nearly $1.7 billion in 2025.
Its population has also grown significantly, adding more than 13% new residents since the start of the decade and nearly doubling since the 2010 census.
The current space for the police department is a “closet,” as Police Chief Michael Renkas described it—just 288 square feet in the village hall.
Ten years ago, the space did not meet the minimum requirements for a department half its current size.
“It is not set up to be a police department,” Renkas said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
To address these longstanding space constraints, the village board presented a multi-phase plan to develop a new Hobart Municipal Center on an eight-acre and four buildings site currently occupied by Joe DeNoble Sewer & Water Construction on West Adam Drive.
The $6.2 million property acquisition is scheduled to be finalized in 2028, with partial payments planned for 2026 and 2027.
The first priority is a new police station, targeted for construction in 2028.
The facility will include secure interview rooms, evidence storage and dedicated office space — features currently lacking in the department’s cramped quarters.
A bonus building on the site was in talks to be converted into a regional training center, offering virtual reality simulations, defensive tactics space and a classroom for officer development.
Following the police station, the village plans to construct a new municipal office building with a multi-purpose room for board meetings, elections and community events.
This will replace the current village hall.
A new DPW facility is also in the pipeline, expected to break ground in the early 2030s.
In preparation, the village will issue a request for proposals (RFP) for construction management in 2026, finalize design plans in 2027 and begin borrowing for the project and assume the land deed in spring 2028.
The board also discussed repurposing existing facilities: the current village office may become a community center, museum, or rental space, while the DPW site could be used for outdoor storage or future development.
The consensus among board members is that the buildings will be repurposed, not sold.
With Hobart’s population and tax base nearly doubling over the past decade, board members say the time is right to invest in infrastructure that meets the needs of a growing community.
The new municipal center is designed not only to alleviate current space issues, but to serve as a long-term solution for public safety, governance and civic engagement.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents voiced a range of opinions on the proposed municipal center.
While many acknowledged the urgent need for improved police and municipal facilities, concerns were raised about the $6.2 million purchase price and the long-term financial impact of the project.
Some called for a voter referendum, while others praised the village’s fiscal responsibility and expanding tax base.
The location of the proposed site on West Adam Drive sparked debate.
Supporters cited its centrality and potential for expansion, while critics questioned its proximity to residential areas and suggested alternative parcels like the two parcels near the current village office that will be received when the vacation of portions of West Adam Drive. and Lonesome Road.
That idea was dismissed after private board discussion before this plan was brought to the public.
Infrastructure and traffic were also key concerns.
Residents urged the village to conduct traffic studies and improve road conditions around the site, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
Village staff acknowledged the need and said upgrades would be incorporated into future planning.
Support for the police department’s needs was strong, with multiple speakers — including former law enforcement professionals — emphasizing the inadequacy of the current 288-square-foot space.
The proposed training facility was praised for its potential to serve regional departments and enhance officer development.
While some felt the public hadn’t been given enough notice, others appreciated the open forum and encouraged continued engagement.
The board reiterated that no final decision had been made and welcomed further input ahead of and during the scheduled vote during the next board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
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