08/23/2023
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/ct-ptb-valpo-park-hold-st-0824-20230823-y77oibjurjh6dhrgsue6xa2ptm-story.html
Excerpt: "Valparaiso’s $30 million sports complex on hold after bids come in $7 million over budget
By Philip Potempa
Post-Tribune
Published: Aug 23, 2023, at 3:48 pm
Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy announced Wednesday the need for a pause for the development plans, groundbreaking, and timeline for the previously touted $30 million sports complex after bids gathered last month came in significantly higher than anticipated.
“When bid proposals were recently received and reviewed, the estimated cost to build the campus exceeded all prior reasonable estimates,” Murphy said Wednesday in a news release update.
“What began as an ambitious but attainable, $30-million project inflated to exceed $37 million. Unfortunately, Valparaiso is not the only community in the region to experience projects significantly surpassing estimates.”
Bids were due by July 7 for the first phase of the new 248-acre sports complex in Valparaiso.
POST-TRIBUNE
Valparaiso’s $30 million sports complex on hold after bids come in $7 million over budget
By Philip Potempa
Post-Tribune
Published: Aug 23, 2023 at 3:48 pm
Greg Kuehl, fifth-generation farmer at Kuehl farms, on left, points out an area of the Valparaiso Sports and Recreation Campus that will border his farmland to George Douglas, Director of Development with the city of Valparaiso, on right, as he raises concerns about drainage during an open house on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)
Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy announced Wednesday the need for a pause for the development plans, groundbreaking and timeline for the previously touted $30 million sports complex after bids gathered last month came in significantly higher than anticipated.
“When bid proposals were recently received and reviewed, the estimated cost to build the campus exceeded all prior reasonable estimates,” Murphy said Wednesday in a news release update.
“What began as an ambitious but attainable, $30-million project inflated to exceed $37 million. Unfortunately, Valparaiso is not the only community in the region to experience projects significantly surpassing estimates.”
Bids were due by July 7 for the first phase of the new 248-acre sports complex in Valparaiso.
Branded as “Valparaiso’s newest park for a new generation” with an estimated cost of $30 million, the city purchased 248 acres last year east of Indiana 49, extending from Vale Park Road north to County Road 500 North to construct the proposed community sports and recreation complex, which was to include sports fields, walking paths, wooded trails, shelters, concession structures and the future option for possible indoor facilities.
Kevin Nuppnau, who was named the new director for Valparaiso Parks Department in April, had previously stated he expected a groundbreaking and work to begin by late summer for phase one of the project, which would be completed in 12 to 15 months for the new park space to open in late 2024.
The original price tag came from the Redevelopment Authority and Redevelopment Commission payable from Consolidated TIF Series A bonds and payable from Valpo City general revenues Series B bonds, a READI Grant and federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)
Murphy, the city council and parks department were criticized by some last year for using the majority of $7.6 million in ARPA funds, roughly $6.5 million, to allocate to park projects, such as the planned sports complex.
“Although construction on the park could begin, I believe, along with the City Council, Parks leadership, Redevelopment Commission and our consultants, that a speedy groundbreaking would not be responsible,” Murphy also included in Wednesday’s announcement.
“We believe that the best option is to delay construction until costs have stabilized and a new vision and process can be refined. I’m confident we will find a great balance, just like we’ve done at Central Park Plaza, ValPlayso and throughout our signature parks. I look forward to sharing future plans with this board and with the community in the coming months.”
When reached for comment Wednesday about the announcement for delaying the planned sports complex, Murphy, Valparaiso City Administrator Bill Oeding and Nuppnau each said they had no further comment beyond the information included in the news release.
Councilman Robert Cotton, D-2nd, the only council member reached by telephone, said Wednesday afternoon he was not aware the project was being delayed or that a news release about the pause was being issued.
Valparaiso City Councilman Robert Cotton is urging his council constituents to amend the city’s plan for spending federal funds to assist with city’s financial needs for water utility upgrades rather than the bulk of $7 million allotted for a new park sports complex. (Philip Potempa / Post-Tribune)
“My voting record certainly supports that I was against the use of the ARPA funds for this project and the scale of the plans,” Cotton said.
“And now what we have is fallow ground at the cost of those who should be benefiting from these funds. It is still my hope that ARPA funds will revert back to the use that was the outlined intent for such money.”
At city council meetings in January and February, Cotton raised concerns about the city’s spending and investment in park projects in the uncertain economic climate of 2023.
For example, a push by Cotton urging redirection of ARPA funds to reduce the amount of city bond debt for equally expansive water projects was ignored by the mayor and fellow council constituents for other plans to finance the first phase of a park department new senior activity center on the property previously used for Whispering Pines Retirement Village.
Cotton’s pleas came following Valparaiso Clerk-Treasurer Holly Taylor presenting a first reading for an ordinance to release further granted ARPA funds, which inspired Cotton’s suggestion for an amendment to the council’s earlier action last year designating how the funds would be used.
“Besides upgrading parks, we still have about $1.5 million of our ARPA funds and I think it would be a wonderful gesture to revert or make an amendment to the use of these funds for our ordinance to defray some of the expense we are about to ask for these $23 million in bonds for the waterworks project,” Cotton recommended at a January council meeting, but was met with no action.
“We already gave $5 million for the new sports complex and some for nonprofits. My fellow council, could I have a motion to amend our earlier ordinance? In light of all the rising costs, which we ourselves are feeling, including raising the costs of every fee imaginable, why not use these funds to give our citizens a break? I haven’t gotten any feedback from any of the council and I know we are not tone deaf about this money that seems to have fallen from the sky.”
Murphy acknowledged, “Councilman Cotton, your objections are noted,” prior to the council approving Ordinance No. 5, 2023 for park department senior center project, with only Cotton voting against the use of the remaining ARPA funds.
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
POST-TRIBUNE
Valparaiso’s $30 million sports complex on hold after bids come in $7 million over budget
By Philip Potempa
Post-Tribune
Published: Aug 23, 2023 at 3:48 pm
Expand
Greg Kuehl, fifth-generation farmer at Kuehl farms, on left, points out an area of the Valparaiso Sports and Recreation Campus that will border his farmland to George Douglas, Director of Development with the city of Valparaiso, on right, as he raises concerns about drainage during an open house on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)
Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy announced Wednesday the need for a pause for the development plans, groundbreaking and timeline for the previously touted $30 million sports complex after bids gathered last month came in significantly higher than anticipated.
“When bid proposals were recently received and reviewed, the estimated cost to build the campus exceeded all prior reasonable estimates,” Murphy said Wednesday in a news release update.
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“What began as an ambitious, but attainable, $30-million project inflated to exceed $37 million. Unfortunately, Valparaiso is not the only community in the region to experience projects significantly surpassing estimates.”
Bids were due by July 7 for the first phase of the new 248-acre sports complex in Valparaiso.
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Branded as “Valparaiso’s newest park for a new generation” with an estimated cost of $30 million, the city purchased 248 acres last year east of Indiana 49, extending from Vale Park Road north to County Road 500 North to construct the proposed community sports and recreation complex, which was to include sports fields, walking paths, wooded trails, shelters, concession structures and the future option for possible indoor facilities.
Kevin Nuppnau, who was named the new director for Valparaiso Parks Department in April, had previously stated he expected a groundbreaking and work to begin by late summer for phase one of the project, which would be completed in 12 to 15 months for the new park space to open in late 2024.
The original price tag came from the Redevelopment Authority and Redevelopment Commission payable from Consolidated TIF Series A bonds and payable from Valpo City general revenues Series B bonds, a READI Grant and federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)
Murphy, the city council and parks department were criticized by some last year for using the majority of $7.6 million in ARPA funds, roughly $6.5 million, to allocate to park projects, such as the planned sports complex.
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“Although construction on the park could begin, I believe, along with the City Council, Parks leadership, Redevelopment Commission and our consultants, that a speedy groundbreaking would not be responsible,” Murphy also included in Wednesday’s announcement.
“We believe that the best option is to delay construction until costs have stabilized and a new vision and process can be refined. I’m confident we will find a great balance, just like we’ve done at Central Park Plaza, ValPlayso and throughout our signature parks. I look forward to sharing future plans with this board and with the community in the coming months.”
When reached for comment Wednesday about the announcement for delaying the planned sports complex, Murphy, Valparaiso City Administrator Bill Oeding and Nuppnau each said they had no further comment beyond the information included in the news release.
Councilman Robert Cotton, D-2nd, the only council member reached by telephone, said Wednesday afternoon he was not aware the project was being delayed or that a news release about the pause was being issued.
Valparaiso City Councilman Robert Cotton is urging his council constituents to amend the city’s plan for spending federal funds to assist with city’s financial needs for water utility upgrades rather than the bulk of $7 million allotted for a new park sports complex. (Philip Potempa / Post-Tribune)
“My voting record certainly supports that I was against the use of the ARPA funds for this project and the scale of the plans,” Cotton said.
“And now what we have is fallow ground at the cost of those who should be benefiting from these funds. It is still my hope that ARPA funds will revert back to the use that was the outlined intent for such money.”
At city council meetings in January and February, Cotton raised concerns about the city’s spending and investment in park projects in the uncertain economic climate of 2023.
For example, a push by Cotton urging redirection of ARPA funds to reduce the amount of city bond debt for equally expansive water projects was ignored by the mayor and fellow council constituents for other plans to finance the first phase of a park department new senior activity center on the property previously used for Whispering Pines Retirement Village.
Cotton’s pleas came following Valparaiso Clerk-Treasurer Holly Taylor presenting a first reading for an ordinance to release further granted ARPA funds, which inspired Cotton’s suggestion for an amendment to the council’s earlier action last year designating how the funds would be used.
“Besides upgrading parks, we still have about $1.5 million of our ARPA funds and I think it would be a wonderful gesture to revert or make an amendment to the use of these funds for our ordinance to defray some of the expense we are about to ask for these $23 million in bonds for the waterworks project,” Cotton recommended at a January council meeting, but was met with no action.
“We already gave $5 million for the new sports complex and some for nonprofits. My fellow council, could I have a motion to amend our earlier ordinance? In light of all the rising costs, which we ourselves are feeling, including raising the costs of every fee imaginable, why not use these funds to give our citizens a break? I haven’t gotten any feedback from any of the council and I know we are not tone deaf about this money that seems to have fallen from the sky.”
Murphy acknowledged, “Councilman Cotton, your objections are noted,” prior to the council approving Ordinance No. 5, 2023 for park department senior center project, with only Cotton voting against the use of the remaining ARPA funds.
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Branded as “Valparaiso’s newest park for a new generation” with an estimated cost of $30 million, the city purchased 248 acres last year east of Indiana 49, extending from Vale Park Road north to County Road 500 North to construct the proposed community sports and recreation complex, which was to include sports fields, walking paths, wooded trails, shelters, concession structures and the future option for possible indoor facilities.
Kevin Nuppnau, who was named the new director for Valparaiso Parks Department in April, had previously stated he expected a groundbreaking and work to begin by late summer for phase one of the project, which would be completed in 12 to 15 months for the new park space to open in late 2024.
The original price tag came from the Redevelopment Authority and Redevelopment Commission payable from Consolidated TIF Series A bonds and payable from Valpo City general revenues Series B bonds, a READI Grant and federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)
Murphy, the city council and parks department were criticized by some last year for using the majority of $7.6 million in ARPA funds, roughly $6.5 million, to allocate to park projects, such as the planned sports complex.
“Although construction on the park could begin, I believe, along with the City Council, Parks leadership, Redevelopment Commission and our consultants, that a speedy groundbreaking would not be responsible,” Murphy also included in Wednesday’s announcement.
“We believe that the best option is to delay construction until costs have stabilized and a new vision and process can be refined. I’m confident we will find a great balance, just like we’ve done at Central Park Plaza, ValPlayso, and throughout our signature parks. I look forward to sharing future plans with this board and with the community in the coming months.”
When reached for comment Wednesday about the announcement for delaying the planned sports complex, Murphy, Valparaiso City Administrator Bill Oeding, and Nuppnau each said they had no further comment beyond the information included in the news release.
Councilman Robert Cotton, D-2nd, the only council member reached by telephone, said Wednesday afternoon he was not aware the project was being delayed or that a news release about the pause was being issued.
Valparaiso City Councilman Robert Cotton is urging his council constituents to amend the city’s plan for spending federal funds to assist with city’s financial needs for water utility upgrades rather than the bulk of $7 million allotted for a new park sports complex. (Philip Potempa / Post-Tribune)
“My voting record certainly supports that I was against the use of the ARPA funds for this project and the scale of the plans,” Cotton said.
“And now what we have is fallow ground at the cost of those who should be benefiting from these funds. It is still my hope that ARPA funds will revert back to the use that was the outlined intent for such money.”
At city council meetings in January and February, Cotton raised concerns about the city’s spending and investment in park projects in the uncertain economic climate of 2023.
For example, a push by Cotton urging redirection of ARPA funds to reduce the amount of city bond debt for equally expansive water projects was ignored by the mayor and fellow council constituents for other plans to finance the first phase of a park department new senior activity center on the property previously used for Whispering Pines Retirement Village.
Cotton’s pleas came following Valparaiso Clerk-Treasurer Holly Taylor presenting a first reading for an ordinance to release further granted ARPA funds, which inspired Cotton’s suggestion for an amendment to the council’s earlier action last year designating how the funds would be used.
“Besides upgrading parks, we still have about $1.5 million of our ARPA funds and I think it would be a wonderful gesture to revert or make an amendment to the use of these funds for our ordinance to defray some of the expense we are about to ask for these $23 million in bonds for the waterworks project,” Cotton recommended at a January council meeting, but was met with no action.
“We already gave $5 million for the new sports complex and some for nonprofits. My fellow council, could I have a motion to amend our earlier ordinance? In light of all the rising costs, which we ourselves are feeling, including raising the costs of every fee imaginable, why not use these funds to give our citizens a break? I haven’t gotten any feedback from any of the council, and I know we are not tone deaf about this money that seems to have fallen from the sky.”
Murphy acknowledged, “Councilman Cotton, your objections are noted,” prior to the council approving Ordinance No. 5, 2023 for park department senior center project, with only Cotton voting against the use of the remaining ARPA funds.
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune."
Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy announced Wednesday the need for a pause for the development plans, groundbreaking and timeline for the previously touted $30 million sports complex after bids gathered last month came in significantly higher than anticipated.
