This project is located within the Fox River and surrounding banks of the Fox River. The Batavia Park District owns and maintains this site which houses improvements such as an open air gazebo, pedestrian bridges, and baseball field and restroom facilities. Many of these improvements, including larger structural items, date back to the 1930’s. Due to the age and heavy use of the improvements, the Batavia Park District recognized the need for rehabilitation of the existing amenities.

It was imperative to preserve the character of the existing facility while providing access to a site in the middle of the Fox River. Two existing bridges provided pedestrian access over the river. Although these historic bridges were aesthetic, they did not offer a safe and ADA-compliant access to the Islands. TAI worked with the Park District, local special interest groups, and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency to prepare a plan that provided a pathway that met ADA requirements, while preserving one of the original bridges. Due to the uniqueness of the project and the Park District’s limited funds, it was imperative to constantly monitor project costs. TAI completed this through consulting with potential contractors, jurisdictional agencies, and utility companies to ensure constructability and value engineering of the project.

TAI contacted the jurisdictional agencies prior to the start of final engineering and permitting. Comments, questions, or issues that may have arisen during the permitting process were answered within the Final Engineering, or within the original permit applications.

In order to construct the bridges and provide construction access to the islands, TAI designed and permitted a temporary haul road across two-thirds of the Fox River. This temporary roadway was designed to accommodate high water flows throughout the summer and fall. Proactive conversations and field meetings with the United States Army Corp of Engineers alleviated their concerns regarding conveyance of the Fox River Flows, and permitted the construction of this unique project.

TAI maintained an active role during bidding and construction. TAI was readily available to be onsite to answer any questions, therefore eliminating potential stoppages or extras. The project was publicly bid with sixteen plan holders at the time of bid opening. The Park District received a low bid of $1,258,180, which was below the Engineer’s Estimate of $1,322,505. The project was completed with less than 0.8% in change orders.