Antioch staff recommend Hitchcock Design for Centennial Park final design; base fee $119,000

Village staff told trustees they plan to seek acceptance of Hitchcock Design’s proposal to complete the final design and oversee construction for Centennial Park. The base fee reported at the meeting was $119,000, which staff and Hitchcock representatives described as roughly 10% of the project cost and common for final design and construction-administration services.

Parks staff emphasized Hitchcock’s familiarity with the grant application and their cost opinion, which staff said helps preserve pricing integrity for the funded project. Hitchcock’s representative described the scope as final design, grant administration and construction administration, and noted the village has about two years to complete the grant-funded project once the state agreement is executed.

Several trustees sought additional cost comparisons and clarity on reimbursable grant shares. Trustee Pierce asked for comparison data to ensure the fee represents value; Hitchcock and staff replied some elements of the fee are for final design (not just construction management) and that the design fee is generally reimbursable through the awarded grant, typically at a 50% upfront share depending on grant terms. The board moved to bring the contract forward for formal approval at the next meeting after trustees review the proposal and cost comparisons.

Next steps: staff will provide trustees the Hitchcock proposal packet and cost comparisons before the board votes to accept the design contract and to authorize grant-related contracting and construction administration.