CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Concur with the Riverwalk Commission and select Alternative No. 1, repair the Moser Tower in one phase, to address the structural condition of the tower and direct the Riverwalk Commission to prepare construction plans and documents in 2020 such that the work can be performed in 2021
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: William J. Novack, Director of TED/City Engineer
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
At their February 12, 2020 meeting the Riverwalk Commission unanimously approved Alternative No. 1, repair the Moser Tower in one phase, as the recommended alternative to the Naperville City Council.
BACKGROUND:
In the late 1990's, a group of local leaders wanted to build a unique and significant improvement to mark the beginning of the new millennium. The Millennium Carillon Foundation (MCF) was established and started raising private funds to design and construct the tower and carillon to be built on the Naperville Riverwalk. Originally envisioned to cost approximately $3 million, the MCF started construction with some generous donations, pledges and a line of credit backed by the City. As construction progressed, it became apparent that the cost was much higher than $3 million and not many donors remained. By 2000, the tower and carillon were partially constructed and operational.
After finding some pieces of fallen concrete near the base of the tower in 2006, the City stepped in to complete construction of the tower. With financial backing from the City, the MCF and City hired a different contractor to complete the tower. Due to a reduced budget to complete the tower, some elements of the original design were eliminated. Features eliminated included enclosing the bottom half of the tower in glass for aesthetics and protecting the elevator from the outside elements and weather.
By 2007 the carillon and tower were completed and back in operation. The City and Naperville...
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