Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Park Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Village hires WBK to study band shell site in Riverfront Park amid floodway concerns
Summary
Trustees approved a $159,900 professional-services agreement with WBK Engineering to survey, perform soil borings and produce a hydraulic model for a proposed band shell in Riverfront Park; Phase 1 (~$45,000) is required to determine feasibility because the preferred site lies in a mapped floodway overseen by FEMA and IDNR.
The Board of Trustees approved a professional-services agreement with WBK Engineering on May 18 to study a proposed band shell location in Riverfront Park that lies in a mapped floodway.
Brian told trustees WBK was selected because the firm has architects, electrical and structural engineers needed for the project. The proposal is split into two phases: Phase 1 includes a topographic survey, soil borings and a hydraulic model to be submitted to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and FEMA, at an estimated cost of $45,000; Phase 2 — design and additional engineering — is estimated at about $115,000. Staff recommended approving the full $159,900 agreement but noted the village may cancel Phase 2 if regulations prevent construction on the site.
"This proposal is important regardless of whether or not we actually build the band shell," Brian said, adding that the IDNR is tentatively scheduled to return for meetings about floodway mapping on June 15. Trustees voted to approve the agreement by roll call.
Why it matters: The band shell is part of the Riverfront Park master plan, but the preferred location sits within a mapped floodway; hydraulic modeling and coordination with IDNR/FEMA are necessary to determine whether construction is feasible and what mitigation would be required.
Next steps: Complete Phase 1 survey and the hydraulic model and submit the results to IDNR; if regulators permit building, the village may proceed to Phase 2 design work.
