Lake Forest Park moves ahead with lakefront redesign as cost estimate, permits and public feedback shape next steps

The Lake Forest Park Parks and Recreation Advisory Board heard a status update June 24 on the Lakefront Improvements project’s 70% design, the permitting schedule and community feedback as the city awaits a final cost estimate that will be presented to City Council in July.

The project is in a phase-2 design process Amber (Landscape Architect, Facet) described as “70% design,” a milestone the consultant said provides a reliable construction cost estimate and leaves roughly 30% of the design open for changes if price or permit issues require scope reductions.

Why it matters: the 70% estimate will determine whether the project proceeds with the current design or goes through “cost management exercises” or value engineering before reaching a 100% design and a bid set. Amber told the board the final 70% cost estimate will be delivered on July 3 and discussed at a City Council work session on July 10.

Most important facts

- Schedule and milestones: Facet and city staff said the 70% cost estimate is due July 3 and will go to council the same day; Amber will present to council July 10. If council requests changes, those will be incorporated before the 100% design and the bid set.

- Geotechnical findings: the design team completed geotechnical borings and groundwater monitoring wells and reported “high groundwater and liquefiable soils,” which the project had anticipated. Amber said the team had put cost contingencies in place and that the findings confirm those contingencies “were wise.”

- Permits and regulatory review: Facet reported local land-use permits are under…