Orland Park Selects Firm To Develop Master Plan For 4 Parks

Orland Park IL

06 May, 2021

11:31 AM

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By Jon DePaolis, the Richard Free Press: ORLAND PARK, Ill. – The Village of Orland Park has selected a firm to develop a master plan that will identify the best uses for and any improvements needed at Centennial Park, Centennial Park West, Schussler Park and John Humphrey Complex. The Village Board of Trustees members voted 7-0 Monday, May 3, to award a contract to Wight and Company at a cost not to exceed $126,000 with a 15% contingency cost of $18,900. Orland Park Director of Recreation and Parks Ray Piattoni said the parks master plan process was initiated to develop the conceptual plans for the future development of Centennial Park, Centennial Park West, Schussler Park, and the third phase of the John Humphrey Complex. A request for proposals was issued in November 2020, and 13 were received – ranging in cost from $88,400 to $543,000. Piattoni said staff reviewed the proposals to evaluate the qualifications of each firm's master plan experience and the overall cost. A selection committee made up of Village staff picked seven firms to make formal presentations in January, after which Wight and Company scored the highest according to the committee's grading rubric. Piattoni said the selection committee believes Wight & Company is "more capable and will deliver exceptional concepts which uniquely meet the expectations of the Orland Park community." He also said the firm showed a commitment to meeting with the community stakeholders, such as residents, local athletic organizations and the Village. "[That] will be a critical step in developing the master plan," he said. As a part of that process, Village documents show that Wight proposes to use a third-party to send out a community survey to 300 randomly selected homes in Orland Park. Piattoni said the timeline for the completion of the master plan will be eight months. "Wight has extensive experience designing and building unique, functional spaces for families to play, be entertained, compete and connect," Piattoni said. "In business for over 81 years, Wight and Company has designed and constructed over 150 recreational facilities [and] outdoor sports complexes for municipalities, school districts, universities and other park districts." After the presentation, Trustee Michael Milani clarified some details of the project. "We're not accepting the lowest bid, but we're accepting the best bid that met all of criteria," he said, while confirming that the original budget allotment for the master plan was $350,000. "So, we're almost $200,000 under budget." Mayor Keith Pekau said "it is important to get the right contractor." "This has been a long time coming," he said. "I've been working on this for four years to try and get this started with John Humphrey being redeveloped. But really, it's bigger than that. It's about John Humphrey, Centennial Park, Centennial Park West and Schussler Park and having a comprehensive plan for all of that. "This will include engagement with the residents to get their opinions on things, as well. It's going to be an interactive process not only with the company that is doing the master design but also with the public, which is very important as we look to how we're going to take Centennial Park and Schussler Park and to some extent John Humphrey into the future." Richard Free Press is a one-stop destination for the news that most affects you, the southwest suburban resident. Be an informed citizen of the town you live in and love.