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Ordinance committee approves no‑cost extension for Groundwork Lawrence contract on O'Connell Park through Dec. 31, 2025
Summary
The Ordinance Committee voted to extend, at no additional cost, Groundwork Lawrence's contract (No. 7220) to finish outstanding work at O'Connell Park, citing drainage and spray‑park equipment follow‑ups. Councilors also pressed staff about city supervision of contracted work.
The Lawrence City Council Ordinance Committee on Oct. 14 voted to approve a no‑cost extension through Dec. 31, 2025, for the city's contract with Groundwork Lawrence to complete remaining work at O'Connell Park.
City staff told the committee the original contract began in February 2020 and that community outreach and construction were delayed by the COVID‑19 pandemic. The project later received a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant; bids for construction came back higher than anticipated and the city eliminated a proposed bandstand in a redesign. Staff said the park is “mostly complete” but that lingering drainage problems and a malfunction at the spray park require contractor follow‑up; the extension will keep Groundwork Lawrence on the job to address those issues.
Committee members pressed staff on oversight. Councilor Gregor Del Rosario asked who from the city supervises contractors and raised examples of past projects where the city learned about defects only after residents complained. The presenter, identified in the meeting as Miss Fink, said she has worked with Groundwork on city projects in a finance capacity but is not an engineer. The committee did not direct a formal change in project supervision during the meeting.
Committee Chair Mark LaPlante called for the roll call after a motion to approve the extension; the vote was recorded as unanimous in the committee (Councilor Gregor Del Rosario: yes; Councilor Selena Reyes: yes; Chairman Mark LaPlante: yes). The item will move to the full council with a favorable recommendation.
The contract is identified in committee materials as Contract No. 7220 and document number 39425.
