Every bid for Burr Ridge's new village hall topped the architect's estimate by at least $5 million.

Mayor Gary Grasso announced Tuesday, Oct. 20, that the lowest construction bid came in at nearly $13.8 million against an $8.5 million projection. Grasso asked the Village Board to reject all 12 bids at its Monday, Oct. 26, meeting and direct staff to present an alternative plan within 30 days, according to a statement posted on the village's website.

"While the Village remains committed to developing a Village Hall commensurate with the community's status, we cannot ignore the projected cost of the current project's scope," Grasso said. "We must adjust accordingly."

Twelve firms submitted sealed bids, which were read aloud at the Burr Ridge Police Department on Sept. 24. Staalsen Construction of Chicago submitted the low base bid of $13,796,996, as confirmed by the village's owner's representative, Consertus. The next-lowest bidders, Lo Destro Construction and Construction, Inc., came in at roughly $14.5 million and $14.6 million respectively. More than half the bids ranged from $15.7 million to $17.2 million.

Oak Brook-based Legat Architects designed the project and projected the construction cost at about $8.5 million, excluding final stormwater requirements. The village confirmed that figure with the architects before seeking bids, according to Grasso's statement.

The plan called for new village offices attached to the existing police station at 7700 County Line Road, with construction set to begin in the first quarter of 2027. In September, the village disclosed the project's expected completion had already slipped from July 2027 to as late as March 2028, as Patch reported.

Village employees moved out of the 41-year-old hall earlier in 2026 and are working from the public works office at 451 Commerce St. Board and Plan Commission meetings have shifted to Gower Middle School's library. The sale of the old building at 7660 County Line Road to Goddard, a preschool operator, for $2.7 million is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to Grasso's statement.

Burr Ridge carries no debt. The village has said it planned to pay for the project with cash on hand. Last year, the board determined that renovating the existing hall was not worth the cost and unanimously directed the building be sold.

Grasso said he conferred with staff, individual trustees, and Consertus before concluding the project should not move forward at the current price. The board will take up his request at the Oct. 26 meeting at Gower Middle School.

Burr Ridge government week ahead

  • Monday, Oct. 26 | Village Board meeting, Gower Middle School library, 7941 S. Madison St. Key agenda item: vote on rejecting all village hall construction bids and directing staff to develop an alternative plan. Public comment is on the agenda.