By Karen Haave
The explanation for Green Garden Township officials’ decision to scrap plans for renovation of the aging town hall is now online.
GGT Supervisor Dean Christofilos promised last month that a timeline of events leading up to the decision would be made available, in full, in an effort to help residents better understand what happened.
Christofilos said during the October township board meeting that two changes in the funding deadline made it impossible to complete the project on time.
As a result of resident concerns and questions that surfaced, however, the board agreed to set the issue aside until the November meeting to allow a committee co-chaired by GGT Collector Mike Flanagan (D) and former Trustee Bill Wagner (R) “to seek expert advice from trades people and contractors and evaluate whether or not the renovation can be completed in time.”
The full explanation is extensive and includes documents to support the board’s reasoning.
The opening page notes that, “The current township board, after taking office on May 19, 2025, was made aware that the former board committed to $132,708.29 of invoices for the renovation project, with no construction work started. It was only for engineering, architecture, site plan, feasibility study, testing, and a permit that was submitted to Will County but not approved.
“The former board had two years to start the project, but took no prompt action to renovate. Despite this inaction, one former board member has blamed the new board for this expense and has claimed the project can be completed now, even though no construction was started under their leadership in two years.
“As a result, the new administration and township have inherited the costs and responsibilities of the previous board’s lack of progress.
“The former board only uploaded $22,245 of invoices for grant reimbursement in these two years,” the statement continues. “The township was reimbursed for this amount, while $110,463.29 of invoices were used up and not approved for grant reimbursement. It is the previous board who obligated the township to these invoices – not the current board.
“The project went way over budget. The original renovation cost was $996,055.50. This would have cost the township $437,743.50 out of pocket. It was later brought down to $648,789.
“However, with the reduced price brought down to $648,789, the township is responsible for additional costs: traffic study, field engineering and layout, dewatering, site demolition, tree removal, general excavation, soil stabilization, temporary erosion control, fencing and landscaping, site utilities, septic system, asphalt paving, site concrete, structural steel, millwork, roofing, fire suppression system and, if any, mold remediation. Cost: $100,000 or more. This brings the total cost of this existing town hall renovation to about $750,000 or more.
“The former board did not secure a permit nor start any construction or renovation in the two, two-and-a-half years once the grants were awarded. The project was put on hold by the former board on March 5, 2024. To renew or change the scope of the work now would require following all Federal Procurement Guidelines, Revised Architectural Design Plans (original 56 pages), and a Project Manual issued for bids (original 328 pages).
“The current board was not in favor of this renovation and, prior to the election, spoke about three other possible options and was elected by the residents because of this.”
The explanation includes two pages of day-by-day communications and correspondence with Will County officials and others, detailing township officials’ efforts to resolve the dilemma.
Residents can read the full document by going to https://greengardentownship.com .
What are the new plans moving forward?