Officials say new Kendall County building will provide better service for residents

Kendall County Clerk and Recorder Debbie Gillette is happy with how the county’s new office building will better serve the needs of residents.

The building is the new home for the clerk, recorder and elections offices.

“We’ve incorporated private spaces to conduct sensitive business, including obtaining marriages licenses and copies of death certificates,” Gillette said to those gathered at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new building on June 18.

Gillette also noted the new building provides enough space to store all records in one location as well as additional space for those who need to take care of their voter registration and those choosing to vote early.

“Voters should be very excited,” she said. “We will be able to better serve the many polling places across the county with the appropriate equipment storage and vehicle access for getting equipment delivered. We have a basement where we’ll be able to put all of our equipment and trucks will be able to back up, load up and go out, not in three different buildings like we’ve had in the past.”

The new $9.4 million building, located at 502 S. Main St. in downtown Yorkville, was constructed between the historic Kendall County Courthouse and the Kendall County Office Building at 111 W. Fox St. It is expected to open to the general public in the next couple of weeks.

The project was funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act. As Brian Kronewitter, executive vice president of architectural firm Cordogan Clark and Associates noted, ground was broken for the new building on July 18 of last year.

“So 11 months later, here we are,” Kronewitter said. “To do that in 11 months takes a concerted effort.”

For architectural designer Lauren Kiley, the project has a special connection. She is a Kendall County resident.

“As a lifelong Kendall County resident, it’s an honor to have the opportunity to create a lasting impact on the community,” Kiley said. “I’m grateful to have worked alongside the county team to create a space where these dedicated staff and elected officials can better serve their community.”

Kendall County Board member Brian DeBolt, chairman of the board’s facilities and technology committee, thanked the neighborhood for dealing with the construction work.

“We thank each and every one of the neighbors for that,” he said.

Cordogan also is working on plans for a major renovation of the Kendall County Office Building. At the April 16 Kendall County Board meeting, the majority of County Board members approved an agreement with Cordogan Clark to finalize the plans so the project can be put out to bid.

The project, estimated to cost $8.75 million, will include full renovations to the entire building, except the board room and the executive board conference room for the most part. The project will be paid from the county’s fiscal 2024 building fund with the remainder budgeted in the fiscal 2025 building fund.

“It’s going to be a modern building with the amenities our citizens deserve and our employees,” Kendall County Board Chairman Matt Kellogg said in addressing those gathered for the ceremony.

The board expects to vote on the bid for the project in August and the project would get underway in October. The project is expected to be completed in November 2025.

Improvements will be made to the county’s public safety center as part of phase three of the county’s capital improvement program.