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Council approves Nowicki Park design contracts; debate centers on proposed community room vs. future pond
Summary
Council authorized architectural and engineering design contracts for Nowicki Park and discussed whether to include a larger community room (possible early‑voting use) as a bid alternate or defer features (for example, a pond) to a later phase. Staff recommended approving design work now and returning with firm cost alternates at bid time.
The Rochester Hills City Council on Feb. 3 authorized contracts to begin detailed design of Nowicki Park (approximately 34.6 acres), approving an architectural services agreement with A3C Collaborative Architecture for $159,305 and an engineering services agreement with Noake & Prowse Engineers for $548,430.
What council approved - Architecture contract: A3C Collaborative Architecture, Ann Arbor — not to exceed $159,305 (motion passed unanimously). - Engineering contract: Noake & Prowse Engineers, Pontiac — not to exceed $548,430 (motion passed unanimously).
Discussion and alternatives The most contentious portion of the discussion was whether to include a larger "community room" (an approximately 800-square-foot extension identified as an alternate in the architect—s proposal) as part of the primary scope, or to keep it as an alternate and defer it pending bids and further study. Council members raised multiple considerations: public assembly needs (possible early-voting use), operational impacts, parking and circulation at the Adams Road entrance, and cost trade-offs with other park elements such as a pond.
Staff recommendation and process Parks staff recommended that council approve the design contracts now and include key items such as the community-room option as a bid alternate rather than automatically constructing it. Director Elward and others explained that alternates allow the city to get precise cost information at bid time and make a reasoned selection when bids are returned. "We could design the pond as an alternate as well," said staff; council asked that staff consult election officials and return with clearer operational needs and cost estimates before any construction authorization.
Next steps and timing If approved in design, staff expect to move through design and bidding this year with potential construction in 2026; council will receive firm alternates and bid results before committing construction funds.
Provenance: topicintro (01:28:16) "request for purchase authorization parks contract to provide architectural and engineering services for the Nowicki Park development"; topfinish (02:06:17) after final vote on park contract approvals.
