An underground culvert discovered during excavation has stalled construction of Hinsdale's new Burlington Park pavilion, Village President Greg Hart told the Village Board on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Hart said village staff is working with engineers, architects and contractor Dave Knecht Homes to find a workaround, as first reported by Patch. One option under consideration: shifting the pavilion westward from its approved location on the west end of Burlington Park.
Trustee Luke Stifflear pushed back on that idea.
"I know one of the options listed is potentially moving the pavilion to the west. I still have questions about the permissibility of that," Stifflear said.
Hart did not specify what the culvert complication would cost or how long the delay might last. No cost estimates or a timeline for a staff recommendation have been made public.
The discovery is the kind of underground surprise village officials had flagged as a risk. At a March 16 board meeting, Water Superintendent Pelkowski explained that multiple utilities, including storm sewers and a Flag Creek Water Reclamation line, run through Burlington Park. The pavilion's original location was chosen specifically to avoid those conflicts, Pelkowski said at the time, according to village meeting minutes.
When the board approved the $441,121.94 construction contract with Dave Knecht Homes by a 5-1 vote, Village Attorney Michael Marrs acknowledged that unforeseen conditions such as underground utilities could result in change orders. Other trustees noted that contractor Dave Knecht had indicated he would absorb project overages.
Trustee Neale Byrnes cast the lone dissent. He warned that unexpected costs could push the project beyond what private donations cover, and noted a history of surprises when digging in Hinsdale, according to Patch's earlier reporting.
The village has maintained from the start that private donors would cover all pavilion costs. At the time of the contract vote, Hart said pledged donations exceeded the contract by about $7,000. The full project, including an $85,296 in-kind contribution from Dave Knecht Homes and pro bono design work by Hinsdale architect Michael Abraham, is valued at about $526,000, according to The Hinsdalean. Major donors include UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hospital, the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce and James Bouchard.
The village held a groundbreaking ceremony July 4. Construction was expected to begin in mid-September after the Uniquely Thursdays summer concert series wrapped up. The 20-by-30-foot pavilion, with a vaulted ceiling and elevated brick foundation, will replace the temporary stage used for concerts and community events.
No date has been announced for when the board will review the staff's recommendation on how to proceed.
Hinsdale government week ahead
The Village of Hinsdale has not announced the next board meeting date at which staff will present pavilion workaround options. Residents can check the village website for updated agendas and public comment sign-up information.
