New Lenox approves land sales and a string of Crossroads Sports Complex upgrades, awarding multiple contracts

The Village of New Lenox board on Tuesday approved a set of land-sale amendments and contracts intended to accelerate construction and event capacity at the Crossroads Sports Complex, endorsing amendments to purchase agreements, design work for new parking, and capital work on athletic fields.

In votes taken throughout the meeting the board approved a third amendment to the purchase agreement with Srinavasa Hospitality for roughly 3.219 acres and a first amendment to sell about 12.199 acres to Pulse Properties LLC, moves village leaders said will help finalize the Crossroads final plat and clear the way for construction and private investment. Mayor (presiding official) said the land transactions were the result of early village investment that helped make Crossroads a regional destination.

Staff also secured approvals for several contracts that directly affect the complex’s operations and near-term construction: a $34,000 preliminary parking design contract with Spaceco for about 245 additional stalls north of the maintenance building; a $223,953 contract with Mott’s Group to widen batter’s and catcher’s boxes across 29 fields (work anticipated to begin in April, six-week lead time); and approval to waive formal bidding for the Mott’s work because of limited qualified vendors and prior positive experience.

Brian, a village staff presenter, described the batting-box work as a retrofit to allow fields to shift between baseball and softball more efficiently and said the village had used the Mott’s Group previously. "They were recommended to the park district and have done excellent work," Brian said.

The board also approved a $17,500 amendment with Tria Architects for low-voltage and control-system design at the wastewater resource reclamation facility, a not-to-exceed $76,535 consultant enhancement package from EXP to incorporate aesthetic and safety upgrades into the Gauger Road bridge over I-80, and a license to host additional tournament operators at Crossroads, including Overtime Lacrosse and returning operator GameDay USA.

Multiple approvals were tied to the Crossroads master plan: village staff noted preliminary designs and sales move parcels that will support fieldhouse construction and increased weekend bookings. The board set aside the rules, waived a second reading and adopted an ordinance partially repealing earlier local ordinances so the final plat for the Crossroads re-subdivision could proceed.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the Srinavasa Hospitality amendment; approved the Pulse Properties amendment; approved Spaceco parking design ($34,000); approved Mott’s Group batters/catchers replacement ($223,953) after waiving formal bidding; approved Tria Architects amendment for WRRF ($17,500); approved EXP bridge enhancements (NTE $76,535); and adopted the ordinance to finalize the Crossroads plat. All items passed by roll-call or voice vote as shown on the agenda.

The approvals reflect an active season of construction and event planning at Crossroads. Village officials repeatedly framed the decisions as part of a larger effort to convert underused parcels into a regional sports destination, increase weekend bookings and spur adjacent commercial and residential development. The board’s actions set the legal and design steps firms need to begin work; in several cases staff said contract work will begin within weeks or will enter a design phase before construction.