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Usher Park construction hits grading error; schedule tight for winter events
Summary
Village staff reported grading errors in the Usher Park redesign that required reevaluation and regrading, delaying landscaping and creating a tight schedule to establish grass before winter events; contractor and engineering firm are coordinating phased landscaping.
Village staff told the board on July 1 that the Usher Park redesign has encountered significant grading issues that required a stop work order and design corrections. The contractor found the constructed elevations did not match the plans in the park's lowest areas, which in turn affected connected pathways and required plan revisions and re-sequencing of work.
Staff said the contractor was correct in identifying the discrepancy and the engineer redrew the affected grading; however, some subcontractors had already moved on to other projects, creating scheduling pressure. The work will be phased so southern sections can be hydroseeded earlier while the remaining northern sections are completed later. The village is concerned about whether grass will establish in time for Winter Wonderland and is monitoring progress through early August before determining if the park can host the full event or only a partial footprint.
Trustee Ianni and staff met in the field with the contractor and engineer to re-evaluate the schedule. Staff emphasized the intent to avoid heavy equipment scarring newly seeded areas and to prioritize early planting in sections that can be completed, with a focus on minimizing subsequent restoration work. The village said it expects substantial construction completion by early fall but the grass establishment timeline will determine usable areas for winter events.
