The Gurnee Village Board on Monday night voted to move ahead on a new public works facility.
The board voted 5-1 to develop plans to renovate and expand the garage on a portion of nearly seven acres of village-owned land off Kilbourn Road, south of U.S. Highway 41.
For months, trustees debated the cost of the project, originally $6.7 million, and delayed voting until ways to cut costs had been studied.
Public works officials on Monday presented the board with a list of cost-cutting options totaling more than $935,000, setting the estimated cost of the building at about $5.7 million. Costs were trimmed in part by reducing the size of the facility, using cheaper design materials and eliminating or changing equipment, officials said.
The building will include a new garage and administration area. The plans also reserve land for a train depot in case Metra officials decide to extend commuter rail service to the town.
Construction is expected to start in August, officials said.
