Bids For New Mokena Public Safety Facility Come In Higher Than Expected

Mokena IL

30 March, 2022

1:29 PM

Description

By Jon DePaolis, Richard Free Press: MOKENA, Ill. — The Village of Mokena has hit a roadblock in its path to building a new public safety facility. Assistant Village Administrator Kirk Zoellner updated the Village Board of Trustees members Monday, March 28, letting them know that the Village had received four bids for the project. However, all four bids were more than the originally budgeted amount — which Village officials have said was approximately $12.4 million. The bids were from: Carlson Bros., Inc. in the amount of $18,997,347; IHC Construction in the amount of $18,320,000; Vissering Construction in the amount of $18,307,000; and Henry Bros. in the amount of $15,994,000. Zoellner added that the Village was working with its consultants to thoroughly review the proposals and determine the viability of the project. "The next steps on this project will be decided by the Village Board [in April]," he said. The planned site of the new public safety facility is a 3.5-acre parcel on the northeast corner of 191st Street and 104th Avenue. Richard Free Press spoke with Zoellner and Village Administrator John Tomasoski on Tuesday, March 29, about the future of the project. Zoellner said several factors likely played a role in why the bids came back higher than anticipated, including supply chain issues, national inflation costs and the situation in Ukraine. "What [our project consultants] were hearing was that there has been an escalation in material costs recently of around 20 to 30%," he said. "Some of the areas that have been most impacted by the supply chain issues and economic considerations are in the electrical field, structural steel and roofing materials." Additionally, Tomasoski said another complicating factor is that while the four bids that were shared were for the "base bid" of the project — meaning construction only — there were several alternate options the Village was discussing, such as installing a gun range or covered or enclosed parking. Those additions would add cost to the project. But Tomasoski said the elected officials and Village staff still see a need for the facility. He also noted that one option the Village could take is to rebid the project soon, "if we think that is the best feasibility for the Village." "We are in the analyzation phase right now," Tomasoski said. He also said the board members will look at the situation to see what the best option is to pay for the project while also keeping the Mokena taxpayers in mind. That may or may not include borrowing money. "The Village has always put itself in a strong financial position," Tomasoski said. "We are AA+ bonded." Meanwhile, Tomasoski said that Mayor Frank Fleischer — who has been recovering recently after sustaining injuries in a fall at his home and subsequently undergoing a previously planned procedure — has been informed about the bids. "As for him weighing in on this discussion, for something of this magnitude, I would anticipate it here as we go forward," Tomasoski said. Ultimately, despite the setback, Tomasoski said the Village is "very excited" about the public safety facility project and is "well positioned" to move forward on it. "We think it is going to be an exciting project that is good for the residents, the businesses, our police officers, and it will help serve our community for many years to come," he said. 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.