The Rockford City Council on Aug. 18 approved multiple contracts and related funding for the first phase of Davis Park improvements, advancing bids for site work, building construction and construction engineering after extended debate over costs, maintenance and the park district’s involvement.

The council approved awards and associated funding for the Davis Park site improvements, building construction and construction engineering oversight; the bids and amendments discussed at the meeting together made up the first‑phase budget the city presented for the park.

Council members and staff said the project leverages grant and redevelopment funds that are earmarked for downtown improvements and that many elements were reduced in scope during planning. City Administrator Todd Cagnoni said the awards include separate contracts for site work (paths, lighting, playground and skate park and seawall), for buildings (stage and concession/bathroom building) and for construction oversight.

“A number of the dollars that have been authorized through the various grants are specific to Davis Park,” Cagnoni said during the council discussion. He also described coordination with Rave and ASM, the organizations the city expects to operate events in the park.

Opponents on the council did not object to the skate park and lighting but urged caution about taking on full maintenance responsibility without a signed agreement with the Rockford Park District. Alderman Meeks said the city should have a partnership with the park district before approving the playground portion.

“Their input was provided and taken when we chose the designer,” Cagnoni said in response; he described ongoing efforts to continue negotiations and noted the park will be delivered in phased components. Director Haggarty (Finance) told council that the redevelopment fund can be used for tourism and economic development and that some redevelopment dollars had already been allocated to related downtown operations.

Councilors pressed staff for maintenance estimates and sources of funding. Staff gave an annual maintenance estimate of about $75,000–$80,000; the city also has budgeted larger sums in the redevelopment fund for future capital repairs. Cagnoni said Rave’s intergovernmental agreement includes language for Rave to cover capital expenses up to $50,000 annually.

Council discussion also covered timing: staff said construction is weather dependent but the plan aims for substantial completion in mid‑year to support next year’s events. City staff and several aldermen noted the construction season is shortening and recommended timely award to preserve the contractor schedule and grant eligibility.

Formal action: council approved the proposed awards and funding for the Davis Park site improvements, Davis Park buildings, and related construction engineering/oversight. Council members voted in favor; the formal roll call recorded the approvals as passed by the council (vote tallies recorded during the meeting).

Debate during the meeting included: whether the playground could be delayed to allow more Park District input; concern about drawing heavily on redevelopment funds; and the long record of planning for Davis Park that proponents said justified moving forward. Several council members urged continued negotiations with the park district and emphasized the project remains phased and subject to coordination.

The council advanced the contracts so staff can finalize schedules and begin coordination with Rave and ASM on event programming, while staff said they will continue meetings with the park district to seek a longer‑term maintenance partnership.

Details from the meeting record: the city presented Davis Park site improvements bid of approximately $7,567,313.60 (award to Stenstrom Excavation, as presented at the meeting), a building construction award of approximately $5,608,000 plus a $500,000 contingency for stage and building work, and an engineering agreement amendment for construction engineering services that staff were revising to reduce from an initially stated $465,000. The total first‑phase project budget as presented in materials at committee was listed at about $15,552,000. Funding sources named at the meeting included various state grants, CDBG, ARPA, the 1% infrastructure sales tax, WRIA funds, gaming tax revenue and redevelopment fund allocations.

The council directed staff to continue negotiations with the park district and to return with any final clarifications on maintenance responsibilities and the revised engineering fee prior to substantial construction milestones. City staff said they will report back on outstanding intergovernmental details and any change in schedule or funding needs.

The project will move forward to contracting and construction scheduling following the approvals; staff said they expect contractor coordination, preconstruction meetings and marketing with Rave/ASM to begin promptly.