TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dustin Anderson, Director of Community Development
SUBJECT:
title
Award of Professional Services Agreement for the Route 66 Park at Broadway Street Greenway Improvements, Survey and Design Phase, to Geotech Engineering Inc. in the Amount of $32,500.
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BACKGROUND:
The State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has made grant funds available to the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) under the Route 66 Grant Program for the purpose of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Route 66, which includes attraction development and enhancements along historic Route 66.
The City-owned Route 66 Park at the Broadway Street Greenway is a well-known Route 66 visitor destination for its 1950’s era ice cream stand (Rich & Creamy) that is open seasonally at 920 Broadway Street. The City made significant investments in this park under last year’s Route 66 Grant program, with new interpretative signs and installations that greatly enhanced the visual attraction of this tourist and local destination.
The sidewalk network - specifically the lack of a separated and ADA compliant path that leads from the parking lot to the ice cream stand - was not able to be addressed with last year’s grant funds. There is physical space to reconfigure pedestrian circulation to rectify these concerns.
Based on our engineer’s estimate, it will cost approximately $150,000 to make the necessary improvements, including the initial survey and design work. Proposals were requested from three (3) engineering firms for the initial survey and design of the proposed improvements. Engineers will review ADA requirements, path access, sidewalk circulation, and ancillary items related to the Route 66 Park at the Broadway Street Greenway.
Geotech Engineering Inc will complete survey and designs related to the improvements for the Route 66 Park at the Broadway Street Greenway. At the conclusion of the survey and design work, the City will go out to bid for the construction of this site and circulation improvements.
This item was recommended for City Council approval by Public Assets Committee at the February 25, 2025 meeting.
CONCLUSION:
The award of the professional services agreement for the survey and design work for the site improvements project at the Route 66 Park at the Broadway Greenway to Geotech Engineering Inc. in the amount of $32,500 will allow the City to move forward with safety improvements that will enhance visitor experience for residents and tourists alike. The City has funding available to cover this fee through the Round 4 Route 66 Grant Program. Approval of the Memorandum of Agreement with Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau to accept management of the Round 4 Route 66 Grant Program funding ($75,000) is a separate agenda item for this evening’s Council meeting.
Section 2-438 of the City of Joliet Code of Ordinances states that purchases whose estimated cost is in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be awarded without written specifications or bidding under certain circumstances. Two (2) of these circumstances apply:
(f) Purchases when authorized by a concurring vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Mayor and City Council;
(g) Purchases of Professional Services.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council award the professional services agreement for survey and design work for the Route 66 Park at the Broadway Street Greenway improvements project to Geotech Engineering Inc in the amount of $32,500. end