Title
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A Resolution Approving a Contract with A Lamp Concrete Contractors, Inc. for Project 25-20, Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Improvements in an Amount Not to Exceed Amount $18,464,984 and Authorizing its Execution
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Introduction
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The Village received three bids on November 3rd for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project. The low responsible bid was from A Lamp Concrete Contractors in an amount of $18,464,984. The project includes water, sewer, lighting, signal, and pavement replacements on Oak Park Avenue and portions of North and South Boulevards and is anticipated to start in early 2026 and be completed by Thanksgiving of next year.
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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 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
At the February 18, 2025 Board meeting, the Village Board rejected the one bid received for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project in an amount of $22,777,278 and concurred with staff’s recommendation to defer construction of the project to 2026. Since that time, staff have been working with Terra Engineering to revise the design of the project to address issues heard from contractors during the bidding process and to identify any opportunity to reduce project scope while still achieving the project’s intended outcome. Terra Engineering completed the redesign of the project and incorporated the design change from the Village Board at the August 5th meeting to no longer use bluestone sidewalk pavers for the main sidewalk.
The revised Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project went out for bid in September, and the Village received three bids for the project on November 3rd. The low responsible bid was from A Lamp Concrete Contractors in an amount of $18,464,984. A Lamp Concrete previously completed large projects for the Village, including the Madison Street Streetscape project in 2024-25, and has the capacity and expertise to get this project completed.
The Oak Park Avenue Streetscape project includes sewer main replacement from Randolph to Ontario; water main replacement from South Boulevard to Ontario; street lighting and traffic signal replacements, full roadway and sidewalk reconstruction using materials approved by the Village Board including brick paver roadways and paver sidewalks; public art as approved by the Village Board for an interactive mural under the viaduct and a glass illuminated sculpture at South Boulevard; public spaces with decorative overhead lighting at the Hunter Court alley and at the southeast corner of South Boulevard; as well as new furnishing and landscaping.
Detailed project schedules will be developed with the contractor following the award of the construction contract and communicated to the businesses, business district, stakeholders in the area, and the Village through multiple outlets. Construction of the project is anticipated to start in early 2026 with substantial completion by Thanksgiving 2026. The work will require closures of Oak Park Avenue to through traffic during much of the work. Access to businesses and the Avenue Parking Garage will be maintained during the project, with North Boulevard occasionally being made a two-way street to accommodate parking garage access.
The project is being managed by TranSystems Corporation (now doing business as GFT Infrastructure) along with the Prescott Group for managing communications, marketing, and the project’s website <https://www.renewtheavenue.com>. Residents and businesses are encouraged to visit the website and sign up for email updates on the project.
Timing Considerations
Adoption of the Resolution at this time will allow for the construction contract to be completed on its originally intended schedule.
Budget Impact
The proposed FY26 Budget includes $17,660,000 for the construction of the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape project in the Capital Improvement Fund, Public Works-Engineering, Streetscaping account no. 3095.43780.101.570959. There are available funds for the remaining $804,984 needed for this project in the FY25 Budget in the same account.
Staffing Impact
The Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project will require a significant investment of staff resources to oversee construction and coordinate the construction project with the impacted business community and residents of Oak Park. The project will impact various departments including Public Works, Development Services, and Communications. No new staffing is anticipated for the project as the Village has already contracted with TranSystems to oversee the construction of the project including the use of a public relations firm, the Prescott Group, to oversee the communications and marketing of the project.
DEI Impact
The Oak Park Avenue Streetscape project increases accessibility with new and better sidewalk infrastructure, ramps, and crosswalks making the area more accessible for people with disabilities or mobility challenges. Improved lighting, crosswalks, and signage will make the area feel safer especially for marginalized groups such as women, seniors, and children. Upgrading public spaces will create more welcoming environments for all community members and provide a space for social interaction and community events which can promote inclusivity and a sense of belonging for people of different backgrounds. Streetscape projects can also foster economic opportunities for attracting businesses and jobs.
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 a Disability Access Commission for additional input with Aging in Community commissioners attending that meeting as well.
During the design of the project in 2024, the project team presented the project and solicited community input at the Day in Our Village event and hosted an open house on June 25, 2024 at the main library for the project. The project has been presented at numerous Hemingway Business District meetings and events, as well as meetings with individual businesses and stakeholders within the project’s limits.
Updates on the project will be provided to people who subscribe for updates on the project’s website at RenewtheAvenue.com
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution, which will allow for the construction of the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project according to the timeframe communicated with the impacted business community.
Advantages:
• The construction contract will allow for the project to occur.
Disadvantages:
• This action requires the expenditure of funds.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can delay to gain additional information.
Advantages:
• The Board can be presented with the requested information.
Disadvantages:
• Delays in awarding a construction contract will delay the start of construction and potentially extend construction beyond the intended substantial completion date of Thanksgiving.
Alternative 2:
The Board can vote down the Resolution.
Advantages:
• This action can result in potential cost savings.
Disadvantages:
• Needed infrastructure improvements to address the conditions of the aging water and sewer mains, roadway, sidewalks, lighting, and traffic signals would not be implemented.
• Agreements for public art for the project, grant programs for businesses during the project, and agreements for the management of the project would need to be revised or canceled.
Anticipated Future Actions
There will be future Board agenda items associated with the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape project including an ordinance to allow for trucks to use Chicago Avenue during the detour for the project, agreements related to work being done on vaulted spaces under sidewalks, amendments to the Task Order for construction management due to the change in project schedules, and the purchase of various items related to the streetscape.
Prepared By: Bill McKenna, Village Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director
Reviewed By: Rob Sproule, Public Works Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution
2. Contract and Bond
3. Proposal
4. Bid Summary