Council debates $82K skate park change order amid cost overruns and design issues

Tenafly's Borough Council is grappling with significant budgetary challenges following a contentious discussion regarding the construction of a new skate park during their March 18, 2025, meeting. The council faced the reality of escalating costs, with the skate park project now projected to exceed initial estimates by over $82,000 due to unforeseen expenses related to foundational requirements and fencing.

Originally budgeted at under $500,000, the skate park's costs ballooned after multiple rounds of bidding, with initial bids exceeding a million dollars. After rejecting these bids, the council authorized negotiations with a vendor, Kennergan, to bring costs down. However, the final negotiated contract did not include essential components such as the skate park's base and fencing, leading to confusion among council members about the project's scope and budget.

The skate park's design was scaled down significantly, now one-third the size of the original plan, which has raised concerns among council members about transparency and communication regarding project costs. The council expressed frustration over the lack of clarity about the additional expenses, particularly the necessity of an eight-foot fence mandated by insurance requirements, which was not anticipated during the planning stages.

In light of these challenges, the council is considering policy changes to prevent similar issues in future projects. Proposed measures include capping professional engineering fees at 10% of total project costs and avoiding negotiated contracts in favor of traditional bidding processes. These recommendations aim to enhance budget control and ensure that future projects are better managed and communicated.

As the council deliberates on these recommendations, they have decided to postpone the approval of the current change orders until a comprehensive review of the project can be conducted. This decision underscores the council's commitment to accountability and fiscal responsibility as they navigate the complexities of municipal project management.