DeKalb Times

City of Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee met June 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the Ccommittee:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Friant called the June 4, 2024 Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Committee meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.

The meeting was held in the Naperville Employee University (NEU) at the Municipal Center, located at 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL.

B. ROLL CALL:

Present: Pam Bartlett; Grant Cowen; John Cuff; Jan Erickson; Jeff Friant, Chairman; Bill Novack; Tiffani Picco; Johnna Shields; and Carl Wohlt

Absent: Mary Gibson; Pat Kennedy; Ian Holzhauer; and Mike Sullivan

Also Present: Tim Ball, Gary R. Weber and Associates, Inc. (GRWA); Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Brian Dusak, Engineering Resource Associates, Inc. (ERA); Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; Carl Peterson, GRWA; and Marilyn Schweitzer, resident

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

There were no public comments.

D. OLD BUSINESS:

1. Approval of Minutes - Jeff Friant

Approve minutes from the April 30, 2024 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting

A motion to approve the April 30, 2024 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting minutes was made by Bartlett and seconded by Picco.

MOTION CARRIED with Erickson and Novack abstaining

2. Park District Report - Tiffani Picco

Picco reported that in addition to the usual maintenance and planting of the annual flowers for summer, they are experiencing more vandalism and graffiti this year. The Fredenhagen Park restrooms are experiencing minor vandalism. The Baby Changing Station is broken so they have ordered a new one. A decision was made that the restrooms will close at 8:00 p.m. and they are revisiting the idea of putting cameras in the park.

The covered crop is growing in at the Prairie Nature Garden and a group of Girl Scout volunteers will be assisting with the plantings in the island where the benches will be located this Thursday at 11:00 a.m. The plants for the slope between the beach and the river are arriving today. A donor from the Conservation Foundation is funding the plugs that will be going in later this week and over 1,600 have been ordered.

E. NEW BUSINESS:

1. 430 S Washington Street - Bill Novack

Review and provide any recommendations regarding the proposed design of the 430 S Washington Street park

Novack provided background information on this Master Plan project that was included in the agenda packet, advising that North Central College (NCC) purchased the property and met with the City of Naperville and the Naperville Park District, noting their desire to keep the area mostly open space and to have a presence for the college. They asked if the City and Park District could commit to develop and maintain the property as a Riverwalk park. Plans for the park were developed and $1.1 million of outside funding was secured from Governor Pat Quinn in late 2014.

Shortly before the City planned to put the construction of the park out to bid, the State of Illinois froze this and several other similar grants; the money was no longer available. Because of this the City delayed construction of the park. The grant money did become available about four years later but the reconstruction of the Washington Street bridge was approaching and would impact many areas of the park. The current plan is to put this project out for bid during the winter, noting that the contractor can start once the bridge construction is complete.

Novack discussed the NCC gateway renderings and signage that was also included in the agenda packet, noting that the signage was approved by City Council in 2022.

Dusak and Peterson reviewed the full set of plans with the group.

Discussion followed on the possibility of adding trees along Washington Street and to the park, without blocking the view to the stadium. It was noted that Century Walk expressed interest in some type of sculpture in the area with Peterson advising that NCC had discussed the idea of plaques instead.

Dusak discussed the grading, noting that when completed would be similar to the Amphitheater except without the steps. He advised that the first 40-50% of path coming under the Washington Street bridge will be a low flow walk similar to other areas of the Riverwalk. The at-grade path and bank restoration will come up to elevation near the stairs.

Peterson discussed the proposed landscaping, noting the view was very important to NCC and also for Fredenhagen Park. He added that the idea was to implement a native rain garden, similar to the rain garden next to the Jaycees Park by City Hall. Dusak advised that the existing bridge will be widened on the east side by about 11’ so this will need to be taken into consideration with that area being reimagined.

Discussion followed on the possibility of moving the sign slightly for a better viewpoint of the stadium and because it is next to the traffic signal. Novack noted that the traffic signal would be moved. The consultants will survey the area and check the IDOT plans. Wohlt inquired if the sign could be a more convex shape to make it more visible. Novack will check on this.

Dusak discussed the grading in the area near where the cottonwoods were taken down by the Burger King, noting that accessibility was discussed at the recent Asset Management Plan (AMP) Walk. The consultants will look to see if this area can be ramped up now that the trees have been removed. Cuff inquired if there were plans to include any low level lighting and it was noted that shepherd crook lights will be included. Cowen suggested considering bicycle parking in the area.

Discussion followed on the “wavy” pavers no longer being made and the possibility of using the Il Campo style. Ball discussed the possibility of contacting another company about recreating a new mold for the wavy pavers. The group was open to the idea.

This item will be included on the August 6th PDC Committee meeting agenda for further review and discussion. Novack is working to set up a meeting with NCC to review the input from the PDC Committee and the new bridge plans.

2. Existing Plaques and Statues in Fredenhagen Park - John Cuff

Cuff encouraged the group to visit Fredenhagen Park and view some of the existing plaques and statues that may be out of place now with the new vision of the park. This will be included on the July 2nd PDC Committee agenda for further discussion.

F. MEETING SCHEDULE:

Riverwalk Commission, June 12, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, July 2, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Commission, July 10, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, August 6, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

G. ADJOURNMENT:

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Erickson and seconded by Novack. The meeting adjourned at 8:34 a.m. MOTION CARRIED

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