Committee hears updates on Bridal Services building, Fairview demolition and delayed park sewage system

McLean County Facilities and Parks staff on April 8 briefed the Property Committee on ongoing construction and maintenance projects, saying the Bridal Services building remains on schedule and on budget while the county’s sewage treatment plant work is delayed by an equipment delivery.

Facilities Management Director James Gaither said the Bridal Services building “is coming along really good” and that the county is saving some interior features: “There’s a lot of terrazzo flooring in that building that hopefully we’ll be able to save.” Administrator Taylor told the committee that Core Construction provided a packet of renderings and site photos showing interior finishes and that the project remains on schedule for “substantial completion by the July.” Taylor also said the project’s budget is on track and that the county used a mix of bonded revenues and American Rescue Plan Act funds for the project; Assistant County Administrator Anthony Grant has led budget work on the project.

Gaither reported that work at the Fairview building is through demolition and all abatements are complete, and that preservation of some finishes such as terrazzo is being evaluated.

On parks operations, Parks staff member Michael Steffa said the planned startup of a sewage treatment plant aeration system will likely be delayed. “We were optimistic about it being done April 11. We’re probably gonna have to push that back to about May 1 because we’re waiting on some… equipment for our aeration system,” Steffa said. He added that staff are prepared to install an emergency aeration system if needed to get the lagoon and the treatment plant operational as warmer weather and campground use increase.

Steffa also reported heavy campground reservation demand: Fall Colors Family Day weekend electric sites filled in about seven and a half minutes and Memorial Day weekend electric sites filled in about 25 minutes. He said reservations generated more than 1,000 confirmation emails on a single morning, indicating strong early demand for park bookings.

Committee members asked questions but recorded no formal actions on the construction updates or the sewage treatment timeline.

The committee’s next regular meeting is scheduled for May 6 at 5 p.m.