Dayton council approves RFP to revisit LC Stevens Park master plan after debate over event center and costs

Councilmembers voted to authorize an RFP to update the LC Stevens Park master plan, moving the project from staff-led design toward a council‑guided process.

Parks staff presented the status of phases 1–3 and asked the council whether to go to the market for a new architect to lead a redesign. Parks staff said the RFP would identify costs and break the master plan into discrete, budgetable elements and said they had identified three firms already interested. “I think this is an opportunity for us to include whatever we think should be included and maybe take some of the items out,” the staff presenter said, urging guidance on what the council wants in phase 3.

Councilmembers split over a large, year‑round event center proposed in the original plan. One councilmember urged caution, saying the city already has multiple event centers and recommending prioritizing lower‑cost amenities such as covered stages, a playground and small activity nodes like bocce courts. Others pressed to preserve core elements of the existing plan — including the stage, bridges, parking and wayfinding signage — and to explore grant funding where possible. Staff noted that some features (bridges, trail underpass, turn lanes) are complete and that additional work is scheduled for design development this winter, with bidding in March and construction in spring when weather allows.

The council approved the motion to issue the RFP unanimously. Staff said they will draft the solicitation reflecting tonight’s comments, return to council for final approval of the RFP language and then publicly advertise the opportunity, using a best‑value selection process so design quality can be weighed in proposals.

The next steps are staff drafting the RFP, council review of that draft and then the formal procurement timeline; the motion carried 5 to 0.