Village of Plainfield Law Enforcement Center

'Design Us a New Police Station that Can Withstand Nature'

The Village of Plainfield retained the team of Gilfillan Callahan Nelson Architects and consultant Moyer Associates Inc., to design its new law enforcement facility in this rapidly growing community. The 71,000 square-foot facility provides maximum flexibility by allowing the police department to grow with the community as it adds about 2,000 new residents each year.

The project was particularly noteworthy because Plainfield is in an area frequented by severe storm and tornado activity. That's why special care was given to the structure's orientation and building form.

Another factor considered was Plainfield's close proximity to Illinois' oldest and largest prison complex in nearby Joliet. This locale represented a possible threat, and thus required a good deal of coordination with law enforcement entities for contingency planning in event of an emergency.

The facility includes three levels and a basement. Features include a traffic court, holding cells, crime scene investigations lab, detention center, and a two-car sally port. A portion of the basement is used as the Emergency Operations Center for the Plainfield Emergency Management Agency, while another area houses a firing range. A circuit court facility resides on the first floor. The new Law Enforcement Center was opened in December 2006.