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Oak Park council awards $9.41 million GMP and approves construction testing for Event Hub
Summary
The City Council approved a $9,405,996 guaranteed maximum price to Frank Riewald & Sons and a not-to-exceed $26,567.20 contract for construction testing for the Event Hub, with officials saying they will hold weekly project meetings to control costs.
The Oak Park City Council on Tuesday approved a final professional services contract and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $9,405,996 to Frank Riewald & Sons for the Event Hub project and separately authorized construction testing services from Testing Engineers and Consultants (TEC) of Troy, Michigan, not to exceed $26,567.20.
City Manager Eric Tongate said the $9.4 million figure is the final GMP and that funding is available in the Parks and Recreation Improvement Fund. He and Deputy City Manager for Municipal Services and Public Works Dave DeCoster said the city has worked successfully with Frank Riewald previously and expects frequent project oversight.
“We are organizing weekly meetings, project meetings that are going to include the general contractor, our staff, etcetera, so that we make sure…and project budgets, so that we make sure…that we don't have any cost overruns,” Tongate said. He added that the firm “built the building we're sitting in right now. This has happened, while Dave and I have both been here. They built this building a million dollars under budget.”
City Engineer (presentation) explained the testing contract as quality control required by the project's architectural plans and said some items — like steel inspection — are costlier and that the TEC figure is an overestimate intended to cover potential needs. “This is an overestimate. I wouldn't expect to actually get close to this amount, but it is something that, you know yes. It is expensive,” the engineer said.
Council members voted unanimously to approve both the GMP award and the testing contract. City staff said the testing contract amount is not expected to be reached and emphasized the testing is required by plans and some state requirements.
Discussion at the meeting also covered construction oversight and expectations for cost containment. Tongate said staff will look for efficiencies throughout construction and urged the contractor to deliver under budget, noting prior performance.
The council scheduled no separate follow-up vote; staff will administer the contracts and return to council if substantive contract changes are needed.
