Consultant agreement will start the clock on $3.3 million improvement at Paulus Park
Nitty-gritty detail involving $3.3 million in planned improvements at Paulus Park in Lake Zurich will be getting underway with the expected hiring of a consultant.
The village board on Monday will consider not to exceed $329,300 contract with Hitchcock Design Group of Naperville to manage the design, develop construction documents, secure permits, manage bidding and construction and other services associated with the project.
Located east of Route 12 and north of Route 22 on Lake Zurich, Paulus is the largest and most visited of the village’s 32 parks.
Two new piers, expanded walking trails and shoreline restoration were completed as part of a state matching grant program. Lake Zurich received $400,000 for that initial work and is getting $600,000 for the next phase of Paulus Park improvements.
In March, the village entered into an agreement with the state for the latest grant with the stipulation that approved projects must be fully completed within two years. The plan at this point is to have final design and permitting done this summer or fall, go out to bid early next year and begin construction in spring 2025.
Plans call for splash pad renovation; creating a gathering space with game tables and other features; a scenic overlook of Lake Zurich; building permanent band shell structure with audio and visual capabilities; and completing the last segment of shoreline stabilization.
Projects were identified through community engagement sessions, review of the village’s open space plan and feedback from staff.
“Due to the scope of the project we’ll be very intentional with the design phase,” said Bonnie Caputo, recreation director. “Now, it’s really putting the rubber to the pavement.”
Lake Zurich hired Hitchcock in April 2023 to help prepare and apply for the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant program. Hitchcock also prepared OSLAD grant proposals for Paulus Park in 2015 and 2019.
Village officials have recommended the association with Hitchcock be continued without seeking bids from other firms as their fees are in line with the services and the firm is “very familiar” with the grant process, the community and planned projects.
Hitchcock’s fee accounts for 12.3% of the project total. The grant permits 15.3% of construction costs for architectural/engineer fees.
The board meeting is at 7 p.m. at village hall, 70 E. Main St., or remotely at https://www.lakezurich.org/.