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Committee endorses Veterans Memorial redesign concept, flags $500,000 funding gap
Summary
Staff and a volunteer work group recommended a full reconstruction of the aging Veterans Memorial (preferred alternative) with design and construction costs estimated near $500,000; the committee endorsed the concept and asked staff to negotiate a design contract so volunteers can begin fundraising.
The Warrenville Public Works & Infrastructure Committee on May 12 endorsed the Veterans Memorial work group’s preferred alternative: a full reconstruction of the memorial that would remove the existing elements, replace concrete work and retaining walls, and add new features. Director Phil Kuchler said the total design and construction cost for the preferred alternative is nearly $500,000 and that no funding source currently exists for that scope.
Kuchler said staff proposes negotiating with Hitchcock Design Group to prepare design and construction documents that can be used in fundraising outreach to veterans groups, the VFW, donor prospects and volunteers. He described a prospective fundraising and volunteer plan that would include donation of materials or services as well as money; the city would need a formal agreement, prepared with the city attorney, to set roles and limits for volunteer solicitations and donations.
The committee discussed timing and visibility of changes (Administrator White noted removal of a large evergreen in the conceptual rendering) and possible partial use of the city’s special projects fund to cover any remaining gap if volunteer fundraising falls short. Alderman Lockett, a work‑group member, said she favored moving forward so volunteers can begin fundraising and the design team can produce precise quantities for donor requests.
Alderman Lockett moved and Alderman Wilkie seconded the recommendation that City Council accept the work group’s recommendations; the committee approved the motion by voice vote. Staff will return with a negotiated design contract and any proposed funding plan for Council consideration.
