Lake Forest council approves hybrid day–night plan, awards Bank Lane streetscape contract

The City of Lake Forest City Council voted unanimously May 19 to approve a hybrid day‑and‑night construction schedule and award the Bank Lane streetscape contract to DeLand Construction, authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement for $1,486,267 with a $146,127 contingency for a total project cost of $1,632,394. The council also approved part‑time construction inspection services with Thomas Engineering Group in an amount not to exceed $50,000.

The project's scope includes reconstruction with brick pavers, decorative sidewalks, seat walls, granite curbs, masonry columns, LED lighting and landscaping. Byron Coutts, Superintendent of Engineering, said the design follows the city's comprehensive land‑use plan and that the work will be coordinated with the adjacent Deerpath streetscape project. Coutts said he expects construction to run roughly June 9 through Oct. 31 and estimated about 100 working days, with approximately 15–20 of those expected to occur overnight under the hybrid plan.

Council members and business owners said the hybrid option balances safety, pedestrian access and business impacts. Alderman Weber and others praised staff for creating a hybrid option that shifts the most disruptive operations — heavy removals, excavation and large pours — to overnight hours while preserving daytime pedestrian access when possible. The Public Works Committee had recommended the hybrid approach.

DeLand Construction submitted the lowest bids across the day, night and hybrid options that were solicited. Coutts explained that the hybrid estimate uses daytime bid prices for most work and night prices for the more disruptive items; staff included a project allowance and a standard 10% contingency. Coutts also noted that a full night‑work option required a full‑time night inspector (the city received one inspection proposal for $258,000), while the hybrid option requires part‑time night inspection estimated at $50,000.

Representatives of nearby businesses urged the council to favor more nighttime work where feasible. Martin Theiss, national director of operations for Le Colonial, said the restaurant had recently been earning roughly double its weekly sales and that daytime dust and noise could cost many outside covers. Sarah Lynn Zydralik, national director of private events for Le Colonial, said Bank Lane is the entrance for a major private event space and the restaurant’s handicap entrance and asked for “as much of the evening work that could possibly be done.”

The council’s final motion to approve the staff recommendation for the hybrid schedule passed on a roll call vote, 7‑0. The award and inspection authorizations described above were presented to the council after that vote and recorded as consistent with the council’s approval of the hybrid option.

Project budget and next steps: the city’s planning materials showed an original Bank Lane budget of $1,700,000. The hybrid award and inspection agreements approved by the council total $1,632,394, leaving the award under the stated budget. City staff will execute the agreements, coordinate staging with the adjacent Deerpath project and work with property owners and businesses on mitigation measures, including potential temporary parking arrangements and window cleaning allowances where dust is unavoidable.