The City of Dixon, Illinois

New Public Safety Building

Dixon, Illinois

The professionals at Willett, Hofmann & Associates prepared the civil site design for the new public safety building to house the police and fire departments for the City of Dixon. 

The chosen site consisted of two old parking lots divided by a grass slope with a steep grade change, which made the new building’s drainage a challenge.  The 42,000 square foot area is tightly bordered by the public library, City Hall, police & sheriff building, the Lee County Courts building, the Lee County Senior Center, and private businesses, requiring careful planning of stormwater drainage. 

Starting with an existing grading plan provided by WHA a few years before, WHA engineers prepared a proposed grading plan.  The majority of the proposed building consisted of a three story structure with a 12 foot deep basement, with a small portion of the central building a single story, slab-on-grade structure.  Two additional single-story, slab-on-grade structures on either side serve as the Apparatus Bay and Sally Port / Impound Area. 

A utility plan was designed, and a “hardscape” plan showing buildings, retaining walls, parking lots with curb and gutter, sidewalks and handicapped ramps, entrances for fire trucks, and storm sewer.  Both the existing and proposed drainage calculations were performed by WHA engineers.

WHA also prepared an engineers estimate and advised the city during the design process. 

The work required coordination with the building contractor, City of Dixon, the Dixon Fire Department, the Dixon Police Department, a senior apartment complex, and private businesses neighboring the property. 

The City of Dixon recently held the grand opening of the new structure, proudly showing off their dedication to the safety of residents. 

Last Updated:  03/05/2010
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