Oak Park council rejects single over-budget bid for downtown parking-lot project, directs rebid

Oak Park city council on Monday voted unanimously to reject a single bid for a downtown parking-lot redesign after municipal staff said the lone proposal came in roughly $2 million over the city’s estimate.

Municipal-services Director Kimberly Maroney told the council that only one contractor submitted a bid despite 122 plan-holders and that staff plan to rebid after narrowing the project’s scope. "We received one bid, and it was $2,000,000 over what we estimated for the project," Maroney said, adding that staff will clarify lump-sum items in the new solicitation.

Maroney said staff are considering several cuts to reduce cost while preserving core goals: removing the green-infrastructure rain gardens (the city had secured about $100,000 in grant funding for that component but estimated installation at roughly $450,000), deferring additional sidewalks on Kingston, postponing color concrete and some pedestrian treatments, and removing planned EV charging stations. She also said two of the three lots — those serving the area’s breweries and restaurants — would be repaved in full.

Councilors asked why only one bid was submitted; Maroney said unclear lump-sum line items in the original documents likely discouraged bidders and that the rebid will provide more itemized specifications.

After discussion, a motion to reject the bid and re-advertise for the "11 Mile" parking-lot project carried by roll call vote. Council members indicated staff should seek a lower price and return to the council with options in May and with an eye toward completing the work in the summer at the businesses’ request.

The decision directs staff to reissue the request for proposals with clarified scope; no contractor was selected and no contract was awarded at the meeting.