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Indy Parks approves change orders for Grassy Creek and playground/splash-pad projects
Summary
The board approved two contract change orders: a $81,533 increase and 155-day extension for Grassy Creek Community Center and Playground, and a $389,777.77 increase with added time to a playground and splash-pad project, as staff detailed unforeseen site conditions and code-required work.
The Board of Parks and Recreation approved change orders for two ongoing capital projects, citing additional work discovered during construction and required code and utility accommodations.
Change order number 3 for the Grassy Creek Environmental Community Center and Playground with the incumbent contractor added $81,533 to the contract and extended substantial completion by 155 days (staff presented a new substantial-completion date of April 22, 2025 and a final completion date in May 2025). Kevin Thompson, construction project manager, and other staff said the change order covered items that were not in the original drawings or that were required by utility and code officials: reframing of interior walls, an additional sanitary/sewer connection and easement required by the water/sewer authority, added irrigation metering to separate irrigation from building water (to reduce future sewer charges), additional ADA/buttons and panic hardware required by the fire marshal, and other site items including screening for the dumpster and required restrooms and site access improvements.
Board members pressed staff and contractors about why items were not caught earlier in design review. Several board members questioned whether architects had submitted complete plans for early review by building and fire officials; staff said they review change-order requests and vet costs to ensure items were not part of the original contract documents and that many items were truly unforeseen or required by inspectors late in the process. Staff said the building and playground were open to the public while some punch-list and landscaping items continued.
The board also approved a change order for a playground and splash-pad improvements project administered by MATCON/"Mac Con" General Contractors (presented on the record as MATCON General Contractors Inc.). Staff said the change order increases the contract by $389,777.77 and adds 92 days to the schedule; the staff memo noted a revised substantial-completion date of Aug. 1, 2025 and final completion by Sept. 1, 2025. Project staff described use of remaining budget to pave and rework an adjacent, century-old parking area, add accessible routes across the park, upgrade lighting fixtures around the Family Center and correct drainage on a park road. Presenters said leftover funds from the Lilly Endowment budget for the project were used to pay for many of the improvements. The board approved both change orders by voice vote.
Staff committed to continued scrutiny of change-order costs and to efforts to involve inspectors earlier in the review process when feasible.
