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Oak Park approves $40,800 architectural review tied to $1 million HUD Event Hub grant amid Buy America checks
Summary
Council authorized up to $40,800 for Newman Smith Architectural to review Event Hub mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural specs required by Build America/Buy America rules to protect a $1,000,000 HUD earmark; staff warned the review could delay bidding by about two weeks.
Oak Park’s City Council on March 3 approved up to $40,800 for Newman Smith Architectural to perform a detailed review of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural specifications for the planned Event Hub to ensure compliance with Build America/Buy America requirements tied to a $1,000,000 HUD grant.
Deputy City Manager DeCoster told the council that bid specifications must be revised to reflect Buy America rules and that the architect and designer are rechecking product origins to keep the grant intact. “Because of Build America, Buy America, and using American made products… the designer and the architect are going back and looking at some of those products to ensure it meets all the requirements of the grant, so we continue to receive that $1,000,000,” DeCoster said.
Staff emphasized the city’s uncertainty in obtaining exact HUD guidance and noted limited responsiveness from HUD contacts; the city attorney will pursue outreach to federal contacts. DeCoster and other staff estimated the specification review could delay the bid opening by about two weeks, but recommended the review to avoid risking the $1,000,000 award.
Council approved awarding a professional-services contract to Newman Smith Architectural not to exceed $40,800 to perform the required design and compliance review. Staff said the city remains committed to breaking ground in May if possible, and will return with bid documents once the Buy America review is complete.
