RIVERWALK COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Receive the update on the Riverwalk South Extension and Hillside Gateway projects
body
DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Andrew Hynes, P.E., Deputy Director of Transportation, Engineering and Development/City Engineer
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan includes a project to extend the Riverwalk from Hillside Road to Martin Avenue. This will provide pedestrian connectivity from Downtown to Edward Hospital along the West Branch of the DuPage River.
Final design documents are currently under review. The majority of construction is expected to be completed in 2027, pending bidding and awarding a contract.
DISCUSSION:
TED / Riverwalk Funding
Within the City’s budget, funding for the City’s share of the Riverwalk is included as a component of the Transportation, Engineering, and Development (TED) Department’s budget. This includes both operating expenses and programming of large capital improvement and maintenance projects.
The City’s budget follows the calendar year and includes a 5-year outlook. Each December, the City Council approves a new budget for all City Departments with an emphasis on the upcoming year’s projects and initiatives.
Budget Workshop
On September 21st, the City held the first of three budget related workshops. The focus of this initial workshop was on Capital Improvement Program.
The proposed 2027-2031 TED Budget includes 54 projects with a combined estimated City cost of $123 million. For 2027, there are 37 CIP projects with City costs of approximately $41 million. A portion of these costs will be reimbursed from external state and federal grants. Projects with the highest costs in TED’s proposed 2027 budget include:
• Annual Street Maintenance Program: $12 million
• North Aurora Road Underpass: $8.7 million
• Riverwalk South Extension/Hillside Gateway: $6.8 million
• Downtown Streetscape $3.5 million
• 87th Street Bridge Replacement $3.4 million
Riverwalk South Extension and Hillside Gateway projects
The proposed 2027 Citywide and TED budgets were higher than anticipated. In advance of the workshop, staff evaluated options to reduce the proposed budget. As higher value projects, Riverwalk South Extension and Hillside Gateway projects were reviewed for potential lower cost options.
The original project construction budget was estimated at $3 million with 50% paid from a state grant and Endeavor Health/Edward Hospital. The current construction cost estimate has increased to approximately $6.8 million due to updated unit prices (reflected in the Eagle St Gateway and NCC Riverwalk Park projects) and final design revisions.
In consideration of these significant revisions in estimated construction costs, staff asked the Riverwalk consultant to evaluate potential lower cost/reduced scope options in preparation for the workshop. These scenarios included:
• $1.5 million (External funding amount)
• $3.0 million (Original budget)
• $6.0 million (2026 budget amount)
• $6.8 million (Complete project scope)
An exhibit illustrating and describing the potential reduced scope for these three alternatives to the original design is attached. The two lower cost alternatives would eliminate a large portion of the low flow walk and provide a connection under Hillside Road.
City Council Discussion
At the workshop, the City Council expressed support for the proposed $6.8 million project budget (original/complete scope). Based on the City Council’s feedback, staff intend to move forward with bidding the project as designed.