Board approves $145,000 environmental contract for former AC Trust site ahead of YMCA reuse

The Board of Public Works and Safety voted to hire Jacob and Heffner Associates for environmental consulting and site-preparation work on the former AC Trust property west of Fox Park, a parcel the city is preparing for reuse as a proposed YMCA/community recreation center.

Craig Phillips, presenting the proposal, said the contract covers three initial tasks — environmental consulting with IDEM, geotechnical work and preparation of bidding documents — “not to exceed $145,000” and will be paid from Ready grant funds now available to the city. He described prior, lengthy analyses of the site and said the work is intended to clarify remediation needs and obtain the clearances required to make the property available for construction.

Phillips said the firm has worked on similar projects for the city and will coordinate with YMCA representatives on responsibilities and timelines. “This will basically work with IDEM to put the clearances that we need to start moving forward on the actual reuse,” he said. The board approved the expenditure after brief questions about timeline, with staff estimating the initial tasks could be completed in roughly nine months to allow site prep and construction to begin next year.

Board discussion also touched on excavation for detention ponds that would serve both drainage and remediation functions, and on coordination with the YMCA and redevelopment partners as next steps. The motion passed unanimously.