Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oak Park council approves $2.37 million in bids to kick off Event Hub project
Summary
The Oak Park City Council voted to award five bid scopes totaling $2,372,337 to begin construction of the 2025 Event Hub, with staff saying site work and fencing could begin within two to three weeks and a tentative groundbreaking set for May 28.
The Oak Park City Council voted to award five bid scopes totaling $2,372,337 to begin the 2025 Event Hub project, city officials said. The awards cover earthwork and site utilities, fencing, concrete foundations, structural steel and electrical work — portions staff said must be secured early because of long vendor lead times.
City manager Eric Tungate told the council the awards represent an initial tranche of the larger project’s competitive bids; the remaining scopes and a guaranteed maximum price will return for council approval at a later meeting. "This is a biggie for us," Tungate said when introducing the item.
Deputy city manager and construction lead Dave DeCoster said crews will prioritize temporary construction fencing, followed by earthwork — excavators and bulldozers to balance the site and prepare foundation pads — and that structural steel and electrical components have the longest lead times. "We anticipate in the next 2 to 3 weeks you’re going to start seeing some action out there," DeCoster said.
DeCoster added the apparent low bidders have been interviewed and "they stood by their price"; staff recommended awarding only these five scopes now to avoid schedule delays. He said funding is available in the Parks and Recreation Improvement Fund and that the project is subject to Build America/Buy America requirements, which staff incorporated during procurement.
Council asked whether the partial awards were consistent with the project cost estimate and whether tariffs or supply issues could affect pricing. DeCoster said it was "too early to tell" for the full project but that the five scopes are "right on track" with the last opinion of probable cost prepared during design development. He noted staff will continue interviews and expected to bring the remaining awards back to council on May 19.
A tentative groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for May 28 at 10 a.m., pending final contractor scheduling, DeCoster said.
The motion to award the five bid scopes in the total amount of $2,372,337 passed on council vote.
