Trustees approve IDOT paperwork to unlock $107K grant for University Parkway side path amid contractor questions

The Village of University Park voted to move forward with the paperwork required by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to unlock an awarded Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for a side path — a non‑vehicular multimodal off‑road walking and bike path along University Parkway from Crawford Avenue toward the golf course.

What the board approved: staff and consultants explained the board was not approving construction or additional local matching funds — the vote authorized the village manager to submit IDOT forms (a joint funding agreement, BLR forms and an engineering services agreement) required to activate an existing IDOT award and begin phase‑one engineering work (survey, ROW assessment, geotechnical work and feasibility). Village staff said the grant award for phase‑one engineering is approximately $107,392, with roughly $79,000 of that amount allocated to the prime engineering firm identified in the packet.

Key questions from trustees and public: Trustees repeatedly pressed Antaro (contractor named alternatively in the packet as Antar/Antaro Group) and the village manager for records showing what work was paid and performed since initial meetings in 2023. Trustees questioned whether Antaro had been paid previously for pre‑award work and whether phase‑one engineering was already underway. Manager Elizabeth Scott said earlier efforts were focused on applying for the grant and that the award was granted in 2025; she committed to providing a full payment history and timeline for trustee review. Trustees also asked whether unfinished work should be re‑bid, warning that restarting procurement risks delaying or losing the award.

Costs and schedule: Staff said the capital construction estimate for the full side path is approximately $2.88 million; phase‑one engineering deliverables will produce a refined construction estimate. Manager and consultants outlined IDOT review timelines: initial project setup (PPI) and administrative forms can take three to six months; specific cultural and technical reviews may add months (IDOT cultural review minimum ~6 months cited). Manager Scott said phase one was estimated at 15 months in the proposal package, but she would seek to compress the schedule where feasible.

What trustees asked the village to supply: (1) records of any payments made to Antaro/Antar Group tied to the side‑path project since 2023; (2) a clear timeline of prior work and next steps; (3) confirmation whether any right‑of‑way purchases are expected and who currently owns critical parcels shown in the plan. Manager Scott agreed to supply payment records and to work with the village attorney and consultants on procurement options while noting that re‑starting procurement could imperil the existing award.

Quote: “This is for the joint funding agreement and the engineering services agreement — we are not asking for a local match,” the Antaro representative said; Trustee Thompson asked, “What is the projected construction cost?” Staff replied, “The current estimate in the packet is $2.88 million; phase‑one will refine that number.”

Next steps: Staff will provide the requested payment history and timeline to the board; the IDOT paperwork will be submitted so that phase‑one engineering can begin once IDOT approves the village’s administrative forms. Trustees indicated they expect records and a tighter project schedule before procurement or construction decisions are finalized.

Speakers quoted: Trustee Brooks pressed for accountability and said the village should ensure unfinished projects are completed; Manager Elizabeth Scott said, “We have to move carefully because the funding could be rescinded if we don’t meet IDOT requirements,” and pledged to provide documentation to trustees.