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After developer withdrawal, East Dundee weighs phased approach to Depot Park, performing arts center and sound stage
Summary
Village staff proposed phasing for Depot Park and the Lumberyard site after a developer withdrew: Option A emphasizes design‑build RFPs and phased street improvements with a later RFP for the performing arts center; Option B would accelerate the sound stage to fall; Option C would delay some elements. Board favored a cautious, phased approach and asked for scaled renderings, stake‑out and revised cost options.
Village staff updated the board May 18 on next steps for Depot Park and the stalled Lumberyard redevelopment after the single respondent (SiteWell) informed the village it could not proceed due to elevated construction costs and financing pressures.
Staff recommended a phased approach (Option A) that would design street improvements (including converting Meyer Street to two‑way, closing segments of Railroad Street and converting a south parking area to a street), issue separate RFPs for demolition and the sound stage, and reissue a design‑build RFP for the performing arts center in 2027. Staff said the performing arts center funding approach remains to bond the entire project with the arts center expected to cover bond payments until transfer of ownership.
Staff described alternate options: (B) pursue the sound stage this fall and do street improvements next spring; (C) install only the sound stage now and reissue redevelopment RFPs later. Board members raised concerns about sound‑stage footprint, aesthetics and cost escalation. A staff presenter said the latest band shell design and customizations increased the shell quote (the band shell component was quoted around $850,000 in the packet) and that additional hardscape and site furnishing customizations raised the broader estimate; staff proposed getting scale renderings and staking out the footprint on the lawn for public review.
Trustees favored Option A in principle and asked staff to provide smaller‑footprint and cost‑reduction alternatives for the band shell (including revising the roof extent, removing noncritical stairs and reconsidering footings). Staff also said they had potential grants and donor interest and will pursue funding options.
What happens next: staff will request scaled renderings, paint/stake the proposed stage footprint on site for review, refine RFP language, seek two cost quotes for temporary vs. full paving options for Railroad Street closure, and return with revised cost estimates and a proposed RFP schedule.
