Committee approves $70,680 change order to add riprap repair and waterfront staircase engineering at Light Memorial Park

The Parks and Recreation Committee approved a $70,680 change order to ISG's contract to add engineering for riprap repair along the Fox River shoreline and to design a waterfront staircase at Light Memorial Park.

City staff said riprap along the riverbank is sloughing and that repairing it as part of the park redevelopment will be far easier than doing it after the park work is finished. Staff also said the waterfront staircase requires substantial permitting and coordination with the Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and that the change-order fee includes design and permit work.

On Broadway, a local fundraising group, has already secured donations for portions of the overall park project and one donor specifically earmarked funds for a waterfront staircase, staff said. The committee was told the $70,680 fee will be paid from existing tax-increment financing (TIF) money already allocated to the park redevelopment project.

Committee members asked whether the change order would delay the overall construction timeline; staff said the building portion is slated to begin next spring and that the additional engineering work will not change that schedule. A motion to approve the change order carried by voice vote.

Staff said the project’s next phases include construction of a larger shelter with concessions and restrooms, a concert stage, plaza areas and other site elements; the riprap repair and waterfront staircase design work will be incorporated into those future contracts.