At the Feb. 24 candidate forum, Village President Vicki Scaman accused her opponent, Trustee Ravi Parakkat, of “sensationalism” regarding his concerns about the proposed village hall project costs. However, Parakkat’s concerns are grounded in responsible governance. As of August 2024, building a new police station and renovating the existing village hall could cost as much as $138 million, while redeveloping the entire village hall campus could exceed $144 million. These estimates don’t include transition costs such as temporary facilities, relocation, unexpected structural issues, utility upgrades, site work, material price increases, and unforeseen project delays.
Additionally, financing costs and interest over 20-30 years could push the total higher. In July 2023, Trustee Parakkat voted “no” for the redevelopment of the village hall campus and advocated for the necessary police station only, unlike his opponent.
(This can be verified by viewing the July 2023 Village Board meeting – The entire meeting is 4 hours 20 minutes. You can see this vote by scrolling to approximately 3 hours 14 minutes).
Parakkat’s focus on these costs reflects his commitment to fiscal responsibility. Identifying potential financial challenges isn’t sensationalism but a vital part of making informed decisions to ensure projects are both necessary and financially viable. With estimated costs of this magnitude, this project has the potential to impact property taxes and the village’s long-term finances. Furthermore, once the village commits to an expensive course of action, it becomes difficult to reverse. It may be sensationalism for residents who can afford it, but catastrophic for those who are barely holding on.
If you want a leader who prioritizes fiscal responsibility, transparency, and protecting the interests of all Oak Park residents, vote for Ravi Parakkat for village president.
Sarah Spelman
Oak Park
