Manager's Report — 22 May 2026: Fire Station 11 Breaks Ground, Downtown Planting Wraps Before Memorial Day
Fire Station 11 officially began construction this week with excavation underway and a new sanitary service line connected to the Village sewer system, while contractor Yellowstone planted more than 3,050 flowers across downtown ahead of Memorial Day.
Key items
- Fire Station 11 construction begins — Excavation and sewer connection mark the first physical progress on the new station, with water service work starting next week.
- Shermer Road corridor near finish line — Only a median irrigation system and an RRFB crosswalk safety device at Farnsworth Lane remain before the Willow-to-Walters stretch wraps up.
- Jubilant Draximage radiopharmacy build-out permitted — A light industrial P.E.T. radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility is coming to 3975 Commercial Ave, a notable new industrial land use for the Village.
- Plan Commission backs Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan amendments — A unanimous recommendation to align both documents with the forthcoming Strategic Plan could reshape development rules Village-wide.
- Bob Kincaid promoted to Engineer Driver Paramedic — Kincaid's promotion, after a decade as a full-time firefighter, affects operational staffing at the fire department.
Full agenda — click any item to expand
Upcoming Village Board Meetings
Two meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, May 22: a Committee of the Whole at 6 p.m. in the Terrace Room, followed by a Regular Village Board Meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room.
Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony
The American Legion Post 791 parade begins at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 25, near Cherry Lane and Western Avenue and concludes at Village Green Park with a remembrance ceremony.
Northbrook Climate Action Day — May 30
The Sustainability Commission hosts a resource fair and demonstration garden focused on energy efficiency at Village Hall's rear lot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
Disability Inclusion Award — Nominations Open
The Disability Inclusion Commission is accepting nominations through July 31 for its inaugural award recognizing businesses and organizations that advance community inclusion; submissions are via an online form.
Shermer Road Corridor Nears Completion
Work between Willow Road and Walters Avenue continued this week; remaining tasks are installing a median irrigation system and a concrete foundation for a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) crosswalk safety device at Farnsworth Lane. Questions can be directed to Project Manager Michael Weller at 847-272-4711 or michael.weller@northbrook.il.us.
Downtown Flower Planting
Yellowstone planted across 72 hanging baskets, 67 circular planter pots, 20 bowl planters, 8 planter troughs, and 7 planting beds — 3,050-plus plants total — with all installations scheduled for completion before Memorial Day.
Public Works Fleet Maintenance Garage Addition
Crews completed excavation for the new addition foundation and the north elevator pit this week. Work planned for the week of May 25 includes excavation for a storm trap and trash enclosure, plus reinforcing and pouring the addition foundations.
New Fire Station 11
Excavation began and a new sanitary service line was connected to the Village's existing sewer system. Next week, crews are expected to finish the sanitary connection and begin connecting the new water service line.
Building Permits and Business License
Luxottica received a permit to renovate storefronts at 1159 and 1161 Church Street within Sunset Foods Plaza. Jubilant Draximage Inc. at 3975 Commercial Ave received a commercial alteration permit to build out a light industrial radiopharmacy and P.E.T. radiopharmaceutical drug manufacturing facility. A combined Cinnabon and Aunt Anne's Pretzel was issued a business license at 1036 Willow Rd., Suite E.
Plan Commission Actions — May 19
The Commission unanimously recommended approval of a Village request to amend the Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan to address prior clarifications and align with the forthcoming Strategic Plan. It also continued — without discussion and at the applicant's request — the public hearing for a proposed three-lot subdivision at 608–610 Sanders Road to July 21, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Dundee & Greenwood Subdivision Complete
Construction is finished on the five-lot subdivision at the northeast corner of Dundee Road and Greenwood, with five new modern homes completed.
Firefighter Ventilation Training
Instructors from the Illinois Fire Service Institute spent three days at Fire Station 10 teaching hands-on vertical ventilation techniques using a simulated roof prop.
Employee News
Summer interns Lyla Mroczka (Sustainability) and Jacqueline Frego (Development and Planning Services) began May 19. Firefighter/Paramedic Bob Kincaid, a Village employee since 2016 and former paid-on-call firefighter, was promoted to Engineer Driver Paramedic on May 21.