WHEATON, IL - The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Ill.'s Board of Commissioners recently approved plans to build a new 16-bay fleet building at Blackwell Forest Preserve in West Chicago, according to a release from the Forest Preserve District.

"After a thorough study of numerous options, the proposed Blackwell location remains the most cost-effective site for this much-needed facility," said Forest Preserve District President D. "Dewey" Pierotti Jr. "This expanded facility will provide a single centralized location for all of the District's fleet maintenance operations and improve efficiencies across several departments."

The site will be located north of the existing complex and will replace the District's aging facility at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in the Village of Glen Ellyn. The new facility will provide almost 29,000 square feet for the maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment. Landscaping plans include a wide variety of trees and shrubs to screen the building from view and blend with the natural surroundings. Construction is not yet scheduled.

About $7.5 million has already been approved for the project from O'Hare mitigation fees and investment earnings on landfill environmental funds. Neither bond proceeds nor property tax dollars will be used, according to the release.

For more information, visit the Fleet Services Building Project page.