DeKalb Times

City of Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee met Sept. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

Chair Shields called the September 2, 2025 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: Grant Cowen (arrived at 8:03 a.m.); John Cuff; Jan Erickson (left at 8:52 a.m.); Andy Hynes; Tiffani Picco; Leslie Ruffing; Greg Sagen; Johnna Shields, Chair; Mike Sullivan (arrived at 7:35 a.m. and left at 8:51 a.m.) and Carl Wohlt

Absent: Hanna Brauer; Ian Holzhauer; and Seth Michael

Also Present: Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Brian Dusak, Engineering Resource Associates (ERA); Jim Godo, North Central College (NCC); Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Mike Hudson, NCC; Jeff Martin, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; Peggy Motta, Naperville Park District; Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; Carl Peterson, Gary R. Weber Associates (GRWA); and Lisa Weesner, City staff

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

Chair Shields discussed the Public Comment instructions that were included in the agenda which allow for written comments to be submitted up to twenty-four hours before a scheduled meeting. Any written comments received within this time frame will be emailed to the Riverwalk

Commission for their review prior to the meeting. All public speakers who sign up at the meetings will have three minutes to address the PDC

Committee when called upon.

Cuff commented on the Last Fling and discussed how impressed he was with the event, noting the fencing and separation from the Riverwalk. He expressed his thanks to the Park District and City staff. Shields also commented on the event, adding that it was well organized and felt very safe and secure.

D. PROJECT UPDATES:

1. Riverwalk Project Updates - Andy Hynes

Receive the update on various ongoing Riverwalk projects

Hynes provided an update on the following three projects on or adjacent to the Riverwalk.

Eagle Street Gateway: Construction continues with the Eagle Street Gateway project. Various retaining walls, staircase components, and foundations have been installed over the past few weeks. Completion is expected in October.

Fredenhagen Park Fountain Repairs: The contractor has installed the conduit for the potential future lighting system. The next step will be the application of a new waterproof liner. The project is expected to be completed by late September/early October with activation of the fountain to follow. It was confirmed that the liner would be black, matching the other fountains.

Fredenhagen Park Miscellaneous Repairs: A purchase order related to the painting and cleaning of various components within Fredenhagen Park has been issued. The work is expected to begin today. Chair Shields inquired how long the repairs were expected to take with Picco advising that pressure washing should be completed within a few days and the staining would take even less time.

E. OLD BUSINESS:

1. Approval of Minutes - Johnna Shields

Approve minutes from the August 5, 2025 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting

A motion to approve the August 5, 2025 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting minutes was made by Erickson and seconded by Picco. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Park District Report - Tiffani Picco

Receive the Park District’s report on the Grand Pavilion rental information for 2024 and 2025

Picco reported that weather conditions have allowed staff to paint the Horse Trough Fountain, which is now black and will match the Dandelion Fountain and the Fredenhagen Park Fountain once the liner is installed. Picco reported on rental information for the Grand Pavilion for 2024 and 2025 as requested at last month’s PDC Committee meeting. A report was included in the agenda packet. In 2024, the Grand Pavilion was booked for use for a total of ninety days. Fifty-nine events were in the “rentals” category, which includes birthday/graduation/retirement parties, family reunions, corporate picnics, church services, and school parties.

Twenty-one events were considered “special events” which include fundraising walks, cultural celebrations and performances, and Library Storywalks. Ten events were Naperville Park District internal programming which includes Children’s Lunch Hour Entertainment, Ghost Stories, and Halloween Happening. In 2025, eighty-nine have been scheduled as of 8/21/25 and include sixty-five rentals, fifteen special events, and nine Park District internal programming events. Most of the rentals take place from May to September, with a few in April and October, and none during the winter months. It was noted that questions are being finalized for a survey that will be going out soon to include past users.

3. Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan Update - Johnna Shields

Review potential edits and updates to the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan

Peterson reviewed the edits made to the Master Plan based on discussions at last month’s PDC Committee meeting. The updates and additional discussion were noted as follows:

Page 1 - Naperville Riverwalk Commission - All Riverwalk Commissioners from 2019 have been included.

Page 2 - Message from the Chairman - Erickson will prepare a message in the next couple of months for inclusion above Geoff Roehll’s message.

Page 3/4 - No changes needed with Peterson discussing the history and purpose, which had heavy input from Hitchcock, and captures what the Riverwalk Commission wishes to accomplish with the Master Plan.

Page 5 - Current Attractions - These were updated to mirror the map included in the recently updated Riverwalk map/brochure by the Naperville Park District.

Page 6 - Master Plan Attractions - This was changed from “Future Attractions” to keep track of projects. Updates were included to reflect progress.

Page 7 - Grand Pavilion - An estimated project cost has been added to reflect the information in the CIP. The narrative has been changed to include information on the upcoming survey that will analyze the usage and potentially evolve the concept based on the results.

Page 8 - Prairie Nature Garden - The project is now shown as complete with pictures included. Language noting the possibility for expansion when the Park District completes their master plan has also been included.

Page 9 - Riverbank Ecological Restoration - This has been reduced to one page from two and now includes a photo of a completed portion. The map illustrates the areas that have been completed.

Page 10 - Netzley Overlook - The original projected cost of $75,000 was updated to $475,000 to reflect the information in the CIP. Discussion followed on the need to better define the scope of the project. The consultants will address and update the budget accordingly for further discussion.

Cuff inquired about the Centennial Beach Levee Improvements which are included in the CIP but not the Master Plan. Peterson noted that the projected costs for ecological restoration were based on what it would take to stabilize riverbanks through native vegetation and stream barbs which redirect water flow away from the streambank. Motta discussed the need to do ecological restoration throughout the entire Riverwalk and inquired if it could be more of a general project instead of listing specific locations.

Hitchcock discussed the importance of including this in the Master Plan, recognizing that the estimate of $50,000 was more of a placeholder.

Dusak and Peterson will revisit this information to ensure it aligns with what is currently envisioned. Chair Shields will schedule a meeting with Motta to review the map and identify all areas of ecological restoration that should be included in the Master Plan.

Page 11 - Paddleboat Quarry Overlooks - Project is considered done and photos have been updated. There may be additional landscaping on Eagle Street.

Page 12 - Eagle Street South Bank Improvements - This project has been added to the Master Plan and includes the conceptual drawing that was originally used for the ecological restoration. Peterson noted the lower walk lacks barrier free connectivity and should be rebuilt to modern standards.

A motion to include the Eagle Street South Bank Improvements in the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan was made by Erickson and seconded by Picco. Discussion followed on 1) the scope and level of improvements to be made; 2) the deteriorating lower walk and if there is a need for connectivity; 3) if this should be in the Master Plan; and 4) the project meeting the six qualifications of new improvements to the Riverwalk (as listed on page 4). MOTION CARRIED with Cuff voting no, and Brauer, Holzhauer and Michael absent

GRWA will further survey the area to determine the scope of needed improvements.

Page 13 - Eagle Street Gateway - Peterson noted there were previous discussions to include a before and after photo. He advised that the existing graphic may be replaced with a completed photo due to timing of the project completion and the finalized refresh of the Master Plan.

Page 14 - 430 South Washington Street - Peterson advised the project is scheduled to be constructed next year and cost estimates have been updated to reflect the information in the CIP. Minor changes to the plans may be needed based on the completion of the Washington Street bridge construction. An updated survey will be completed soon and reviewed with NCC.

Hynes introduced Jim Godo and Mike Hudson from North Central College (NCC). Godo provided historical context, explaining that NCC acquired the property in 2012 and entered into an easement agreement with the City in 2016 allowing the City to develop the park. NCC will be erecting a monument sign, as referenced on page 72 of their master plan, that will tie into the limestone of Old Main and the pillars located throughout the NCC campus.

Peterson will update the graphic to include the sign, and NCC will follow up with the Riverwalk Commission regarding a possible change to the name of the project. It was noted that the Riverwalk 2031 Fund will not be fundraising for this project as it is owned by NCC, and estimated costs in the Master Plan include pavers, plazas, benches and landscaping.

Page 17 - East Bank Riverwalk - The group discussed the proposed multipurpose trail/traditional Riverwalk path along the west bank of the river in the east extension. Godo discussed the area noting plans have not been finalized regarding the use of the 6.5-acre area. Discussion continued regarding the bicycle connectivity to the campus and the potential for riverbank restoration needed with this project. Godo stated that further conversations with NCC should be held when the Riverwalk Commission is ready to move forward.

Chair Shields thanked Godo and Hudson for attending the meeting.

Page 15/16 - Main Street to Washington Street Riverwalk -

Recommendation from group was to not include cost estimates at this time. Peterson will change to TBD.

Page 18 - Hillside Road Gateway - The cost estimate and graphic were updated as this project is fully designed. Wohlt suggested including the construction timeline as this ties in with the South Gateway.

Page 19/20 - South Gateway - Peterson may replace the current concept drawing and the graphics may be moved with additional graphics from the 3D model being added. The cost estimates have been updated.

Peterson and team will make the discussed edits, and this will be further reviewed at next month’s PDC Committee meeting.

F. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Annual Asset Management Plan Review - Tiffani Picco

Review follow-up items from the May 7th and May 15th Annual Asset Management Plan (AMP) Walk summaries

Due to time constraints, discussion on the Annual Asset Management Plan Review will be deferred until the next PDC Committee meeting on September 30, 2025. A motion to defer this item to next month’s PDC Committee agenda was made by Ruffing and seconded by Hynes.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY by voice vote.

G. MEETING SCHEDULE:

Riverwalk Commission, September 10, 2025, 7:30 a.m.

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

**Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction, September 30, 2025, 7:30 a.m.

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

Riverwalk Commission, October 8, 2025, 7:30 a.m.

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

Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction, November 4, 2025, 7:30 a.m.

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

H. ADJOURNMENT:

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Cuff and seconded by Cowen. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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