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A Resolution Approving a Purchase Price Agreement with The Alphabet Shop, Inc. for Illuminated “Oak Park” Lettering Panels for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project, in an Amount not to Exceed $51,380, Authorizing its Execution, and Waiving the Village’s Bid Process for the Agreement
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Introduction
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As discussed at the August 5, 2025 Village Board meeting, in order to save money with the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project, the Village is procuring the decorative “Oak Park” lettering panels directly from the supplier. The streetscape contractor will be installing the panels purchased by the Village. This agreement is for the purchase of lettering panels, which will be installed on the north and south sides of the Oak Park Avenue viaduct. Staff did not solicit multiple proposals for this purchase since the design of the panels was developed with the fabricator during the design of the overall project to meet specific needs.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Resolution.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action(s):
• At the Village Board meeting on May 19, 2026, the Village Board approved an Amendment to the Independent Contractor Agreement with J. Graham, LLC., for the Viaduct Art Installation to Change the not to Exceed Amount from $235,000 to $295,000 and Authorizing its Execution (RES 26-209)
• At the Village Board meeting on February 24, 2026, the Village Board approved a Purchase Price Agreement with Victor Stanley, LLC, for the Purchase of Street Furniture for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project in an Amount not to Exceed $73,111, Authorizing its Execution, and Waiving the Village’s Bid Process for the Agreement (RES 26-150)
• At the Village Board meeting on December 9, 2025, the Village Board approved a Retail Lease Agreement for a Construction Field Office at 104 North Oak Park Avenue for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project in an Amount not to Exceed $38,000 and Authorizing its Execution (RES 25-385)
• At the Village Board meeting on November 11, 2025, the Village Board approved a Contract with A Lamp Concrete Contractors, Inc. for Project 25-20, Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Improvements in an amount not to exceed $18,464,984 (RES 25-301)
• At the Village Board meeting on October 14, 2025, the Village Board approved the purchase of temporary and permanent sidewalk easements on Oak Park Avenue (RES 25-268)
• At the Village Board meeting on August 5, 2025, the Village Board had a presentation and discussion on the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project and directed staff to revise the sidewalk paving materials from bluestone to pavers (ID 25-467)
• At the Village Board meeting on February 18, 2025, the Village Board authorized the Rejection of all Bids for Project 25-20, Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Improvements (RES 25-138)
• At the Village Board meeting on December 3, 2024, the Village Board approved a Task Order for Professional Engineering Services with TranSystems Corporation for Construction Engineering for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project, in an Amount Not to Exceed $1,522,388. (RES. 24-385)
• At the Village Board meeting on December 3, 2024, the Village Board approved an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Terra Engineering, Ltd. for the Design of the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape and Utility Projects to Change the not to Exceed Amount from $998,577 to $1,121,790. (RES 24-377)
• At the Village Board meeting on August 27, 2024, the Village Board approved an Independent Contractor Agreement with J. Graham, LLC. for the Viaduct Art Installation, in an amount not to exceed $235,000. (RES 24-268)
• At the Village Board meeting on July 30, 2024, the Village Board approved an Independent Contractor Agreement with Ray King Studio, Ltd. for the Flame Beacon Art Installation, in an amount not to exceed $154,250. (RES 24-267)
• At the Village Board meeting on June 11, 2024, the Village Board approved a Motion to Concur with the Recommendation of the Oak Park Area Arts Council to Enter an Independent Contractor Agreement with Ray King Studio, Ltd. for a Flame Beacon Art Installation at the Southeast Corner of South Boulevard and Oak Park Avenue. (MOT 24-180)
• At the Village Board meeting on June 11, 2024, the Village Board approved a Motion to Concur with the Recommendation of the Oak Park Area Arts Council to Enter an Independent Contractor Agreement with Graham Carraway for a Viaduct Art Installation Under the Viaduct Between North Boulevard and South Boulevard. (MOT 24-181)
• At the Village Board meeting on December 4, 2023, the Village Board approved a Professional Services Agreement with Terra Engineering, Ltd. for the Design of the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape and Utility Projects, in an amount not to exceed $998,577. (RES 23-322)
• At the Village Board meeting on October 23, 2023, the Village Board had a presentation and discussion of the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project and the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Steering Committee’s Recommended Conceptual Design and Alternatives. (ID 23-467)
• At the Village Board meeting on September 5, 2023, the Village Board approved a Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Terra Engineering, Ltd. for the Design of the Oak Park Avenue Resurfacing, Utility, and Streetscape Projects to change the not-to-exceed amount from $1,010,958 to $1,214,548. (RES 23-273)
• At the Village Board meeting on March 6, 2023, the Village Board approved a Resolution Creating a Steering Committee for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project and a Motion to Approve the Appointment of Members to the Steering Committee. (RES 23-57).
Background
As discussed at the August 5, 2025 Village Board meeting, in order to save money with the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project, the Village is procuring the street furniture and these decorative lettering panels directly from the suppliers. As part of the value engineering process for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape, the Village identified potential cost savings for the project by procuring the custom viaduct lettering separate from the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape construction contract. When the Streetscape project was initially bid in early 2025, the purchase and installation of the letters was bid at $140,707. The purchase of the lettering with this agreement is $51,380, and the bid price for installation is $39,000. By purchasing the lettering directly from the vendor, there is an estimated savings of approximately $50,327 as compared to the original bid price in early 2025.
This agreement includes the purchase of a custom “Oak Park” lettering and panel system to be installed on the north and south sides of the Oak Park Avenue viaduct for aesthetic enhancement. The font, color, and overall style of the custom system were designed by Design Workshop, the landscape architect, and were guided through the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape steering committee process. As a collective, it was determined to shift from the design of the existing letters, which included a white and green panel with yellow lettering, to a refreshed design. The new system will have white backlit letters, and each letter will be installed onto an individual monochromatic dark blue panel that will match the new color of the viaduct beams.
The original “Oak Park” letters and panels, which have since been removed as part of construction, were prone to damage from vehicle strikes. The new system incorporates two key adjustments from the original design. Firstly, the elevation of the roadway will be slightly lowered, creating a larger clearance for vehicles. Secondly, there will no longer be individual spotlights mounted under each panel. Instead, the letters will be backlit. This adjustment allows for the panels to be mounted higher overall than the original panels, out of harm’s way from most vehicles that may strike the viaduct.
Since the original design of the lettering was developed with the supplier, staff did not solicit competitive bids, since it is a sole-source contract.
Timing Considerations
Adoption at this time will allow for the procurement of these decorative panels so that they can be delivered and installed in the desired timeline.
Financial Impact
The Fiscal Year 2026 Budget includes $250,000 for the purchase of street furniture and other related items for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project in the Capital Improvement Fund, Public Works - Engineering, Capital Improvements, Streetscaping account no. 3095-43780-101-570959.
Operations Impact
There is no operating impact associated with this item. The item aligns with the department’s core service delivery.
DEI Impact
In 2024, the Engineering Division presented the Streetscape design concepts to the Disability Access and Aging in Communities Commissions. The “Oak Park” letters will be painted white and will be installed on a dark blue panel. This creates a high visual contrast of the letters during the day and at night when they are illuminated.
Community Input
The conceptual design of the streetscape project was developed using feedback obtained at public open houses, the Engage Oak Park website, from stakeholders in the project limits, and by the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Steering Committee, which included members of the Disability Access Commission and Aging in Community Commission. The project was also presented at the Disability Access Commission for additional input, with Aging in Community commissioners attending that meeting as well.
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution, which will allow for the purchase of lettering on the viaduct.
Advantages:
• This agreement will allow for the procurement of needed street furnishings.
Disadvantages:
• There are no disadvantages to this action.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can delay action to gain additional information.
Advantages:
• Board Members would be presented with the additional information they requested.
Disadvantages:
• The timing of the eventual Board action could impact the desired implementation schedule.
Alternative 2:
The Board can vote down the Resolution.
Advantages:
• There are no advantages to this alternative.
Disadvantages:
• Staff would have to solicit bids for these custom panels, which were developed in conjunction with the supplier, which would delay the installation beyond the completion date for the project.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Bill McKenna, Assistant Public Works Director/Village Engineer
Reviewed By: Rob Sproule, Public Works Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution
2. Purchase Price Agreement
3. Proposal
4. Viaduct Lettering Images