Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves design services for Cascade Falls after DNR stewardship grant award
Summary
MSA presented a phased conceptual plan for Cascade Falls Park and the board approved a professional‑services agreement to advance design of phase 1 after the village received a DNR stewardship grant (50/50 match up to $710,000); trustees stressed cost control and fundraising.
MSA consultant Drew presented a conceptual design and budget for Cascade Falls Park and told the board the village was awarded a DNR stewardship grant that will match village funds up to $710,000 (50/50). The conceptual project budget submitted with the grant was approximately $1.4 million; the village currently has $400,000 in its capital improvement program set aside for the project, leaving a funding shortfall that will need to be addressed through other grants, TID funds, donations or adjustments to scope.
Drew described a phased plan that includes an ADA‑accessible overlook, aluminum steps, pedestrian bridges and a boardwalk connecting to the village boundary. He noted some features—most notably a decorative ‘‘wheel’’ element—are expensive and could be omitted without jeopardizing the grant. “There’s a wheel that was put in similar to this … that project exceeded $1,000,000 just for this wheel,” Drew said, recommending consideration of value engineering to reduce cost.
Board members pushed for clearer budgeting and fundraising timelines before committing to construction and asked whether grant‑eligible costs could be incurred before a signed agreement. Drew advised that conceptual engineering and design work are generally eligible match‑able costs and the DNR typically requires the project to be complete by June 2027 unless an extension is negotiated.
After discussion, trustees voted to approve the professional‑services agreement with MSA to proceed with phase‑1 design and permitting work so the village can complete required surveys, historic‑preservation review and cost estimates ahead of bidding. The motion to approve the contract carried (recorded as “carries”).
What’s next: MSA will revise phase‑3 designs to address fire‑department concerns about emergency access, refine cost estimates, and return final deliverables and bid‑ready documents to the board in November. The village will continue fundraising efforts to close the remaining funding gap.
