Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Streetscape Deerpath topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lake Forest council awards $457,000 Phase 3 design services contract for Deerpath Streetscape
Summary
The Lake Forest City Council approved a $435,000 contract plus a 5% contingency to Thomas Engineering Group for Phase 3 construction-phase services on the Deerpath Streetscape project; the project is tied to a $2 million IDOT construction grant and staff emphasized extensive inspection and community outreach requirements.
The Lake Forest City Council on Feb. 18 voted to award Phase 3 professional design services for the Deerpath Streetscape project to Thomas Engineering Group in the amount of $435,000, plus a 5% contingency of $22,000, for a total contract value of $457,000.
The contract covers construction inspection, observation, documentation and project closeout, and will include the firm’s role in community outreach and contractor management during construction. Jim Lochfeir, assistant to the director of public works, told the council the Phase 3 scope is extensive and requires IDOT-certified staff and specific documentation forms: “These phase 3 services are absolutely aligned with the Illinois Department of Transportation grama award that we received back in April of 20 23,” he said, noting the city received a $2,000,000 IDOT grant for construction.
Lochfeir said the city issued an RFP in January, received two proposals and recommended Thomas Engineering based on project understanding, qualifications and staffing levels. Thomas proposed about 2,500 hours of work and a history on streetscape projects; competing firm GSG Consultants proposed roughly 1,800 hours and a lower price. Lochfeir said the higher-hour proposal indicated a fuller staffing plan for on-site observation and business outreach during construction.
Council members asked how invoicing would work and were told the city pays only for hours actually invoiced: “We get detailed invoices as part of it, and we pay for the hours that actually occur. They’re not entitled to this full contract,” Lochfeir said.
A roll-call vote recorded the following ayes: Alderman Clemens; Alderman Notes; Alderman Powers; Alderman Kashkarian; Alderman Lavert; Alderman Weber; Alderman Walther. The motion carried 7-0.
The project has an FY26 local budget allocation of $475,000 (local funds) for Phase 3. Lochfeir reiterated that IDOT’s grant funds are specifically for construction and that IDOT rules and processes must be followed; the bid opening for construction was scheduled for March 7 according to the presentation.
The council did not receive any public questions on the item during the meeting.
