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Consultant outlines Falls Park staircase options and DNR grant tradeoffs; board seeks design meeting
Summary
MSA presented conceptual designs and funding options for a Falls Park staircase/overlook project, highlighted DNR 50/50 reimbursable grant terms (possible $355,000 advance) and the tradeoff that reducing scope reduces matching funds, and the board requested a kickoff design meeting to refine scope and budget alternatives.
MSA, the village's consultant, updated the board on the conceptual design for the Falls Park staircase and related overlooks and reviewed funding options including a DNR stewardship 50/50 reimbursable grant, state trust fund loans and private grants.
The consultant said the grant is reimbursable and noted an option for an advanced payment of $355,000 in the grant agreement. He explained that the DNR program matches village expenditures dollar for dollar up to the award amount, so reducing construction scope reduces both the village's outlay and the DNR match (for example, scope cuts do not translate to one‑for‑one village savings). The consultant suggested value engineering options such as removing an expensive overlook (he estimated a possible $140,000 scope reduction) and proposed using ad alternates in bid documents to allow priority features to be awarded first.
Board members pressed for clarity on what the grant would cover and how much matching the village must provide. A board member said the village is short about $250,000 for the project as currently estimated. Several board members requested a focused design and funding kickoff meeting with staff (including Wyatt and Todd), MSA and volunteers to produce a final bid‑pack with ad alternates so the board could make an informed financing decision.
No funding vote was taken at this meeting; staff and consultant will refine scope, cost options and potential financing (including state trust fund loans or TID resources) and return with a recommended package for board action.
