Mokena Breaks Ground on New Park Expansion

The Mokena Community Park District will break ground April 2 to for a park improvement at historic Yunker Farm.

The two new projects include the expansion of The Oaks Recreation Center and the development of the Yunker Farm – in a 1:30 p.m. ceremony at The Oaks, 10847 W. La Porte Road.

The 20,000 square foot addition at the recreation center will include additional gym space, a multipurpose room, and restrooms. It sits on the southern half of the Yunker Farm, which is split by LaPorte Road.

Now, development will begin on the northern half, and will include extensive repairs on the exterior of the old farm buildings, a dog park, splash pad, community gardens, and a band shell with terraced seating.

The projects, which will be completed simultaneously, are expected to be completed in 12 to 18 months, said executive director Jim Romanek. These improvements will allow the park district to increase its programs, events and amenities to the community.

The board delayed its selection of a construction manager until July. On a 5 to 2 vote, it finally selected Henry Bros. Construction Co., for $620,570, which drew heavy public criticism because it was $97,000 more than the lowest proposal received, from Olivieri Brothers of Frankfort.

Olivieri is also the project's architect, and a majority of board members did not want the same firm to serve as both construction manager and architect.

Earlier this month, the park board approved a total bid package with 14 different trades for all the work, for $6.6 million. Commissioners approved several alternates to those bids, to reduce costs by $268,000.

Most of the changes were aesthetics, Romanek said.

The board reduced the landscaping costs by half, approving an alternate bid with Allied Landscaping for $141,320. It saved $41,692 on an alternate bid with Korellis Roofing, for a total bid of $312,738.

Other bids were awarded to:

-- Chicago Heights Construction for general trades, $1,625,694, an alternate bid to save $27,221.

-- Plainfield Construction for excavation/concrete, $1,238,767, an alternate bid to save $25,615.

-- Lombard Architectural Precast, $1,120,000

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