Council approves $762,297 payment for Event Hub; project about 25% complete

The Oak Park City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve pay application No. 4 for the Event Hub construction project in the amount of $762,297.69 and to record change order No. 2 as $0. The payment covers work through Sept. 30, 2025; city staff said the project is roughly 25% complete.

City Manager Eric Tungay introduced the item and asked Deputy City Manager for Municipal Services and Public Works Dave DeCoster to summarize the request. DeCoster said most recent change orders were covered by the project's allowances or contingency and did not increase the guaranteed maximum price. He told the council the work included undercuts at the bandshell to remove contaminated soil, the purchase and reassignment of previously approved products to field contractors, a change in painting materials for large columns and added mechanical screening on the low deck. "That was taken out of our contingency," DeCoster said.

The council asked several operational questions. Mayor Pro Tem Sean Whitehead asked whether the Event Hub would have televisions; DeCoster said one wall will have a single 75-inch display and the front wall will be composed of four 75-inch displays configured as one large screen. "Yes. Absolutely," he said when asked if the hub could show televised sporting events next year.

Tungay also gave an "Elevate Oak Park" update on related projects. He said interviews with potential construction managers for the planned community center are underway, with one interview completed and one remaining before staff makes a recommendation to the council and begins architectural procurement. He said the community center design phase will include community visioning sessions and is expected to take eight to 12 months once an architect is hired. Tungay said staff is considering use of buildings slated for demolition as temporary staging areas for the community center to reduce cost and logistics.

Staff showed drone footage and progress photographs of the Event Hub and associated sites. DeCoster described roof screening to hide rooftop HVAC, the placement of the amphitheater roof, and the shelter and kitchen layout near playground areas. Tungay said the Tyler Park Phase I project will be advertised for bids soon and that the 11 Mile parking lot project is underway. He reiterated that the event-hub-related change orders and purchases were budgeted and that funding is available in the Event Hub Fund.

The payment and change-order approval passed on a roll call vote with all five council members voting yes: Mayor McClellan, Mayor Pro Tem Sean Whitehead, Council Member Julie Edgar, Council Member Stephanie Crawford and Council Member Solomon Radner.

Votes at a glance: the council also approved several routine items and invoices during the meeting by unanimous vote, including approval of the consent agenda, authorization to advertise bids for Tyler Park Phase I, and payment of invoices to outside counsel and consultants (listed below). Those items were presented as routine consent or brief roll-call approvals with no extended debate.

Ending: Staff said the Event Hub remains on an "aggressive timeline," with an early-summer opening targeted, pending weather and construction progress. Tungay directed residents with questions about projects to the city website for detailed project updates and community engagement notices.