Politics & Government
Hinsdale Official Concerned Public Money May Go To Pavilion
The board approved a $441,000 contract. A trustee feared private donations may not be enough.
HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale trustees this week approved a contract for building a downtown pavilion, but one trustee expressed concern that public money may go toward the project.
The $441,000 contract is with La Grange-based Dave Knecht Homes.
Since the beginning, the village has said private donors would cover all the costs. The pavilion is planned for Burlington Park, with the design resembling the nearby Memorial Building.
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During a Village Board meeting, Trustee Neale Byrnes said he was troubled that documents indicate the village expects that no public money will be spent on the project.
"That's like saying the Cubs are expected to make the playoffs. But between now and then – I've been a Cubs fan for a long time – suddenly it goes south on you," Byrnes said. "Can we just say no village funds will be utilized for this project?"
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He also said costs may unexpectedly escalate, noting a history of surprises when digging in Hinsdale.
Additionally, he questioned the pavilion's cost. He said he knows someone who is bidding on a Westmont house for about the same price as the pavilion. By contrast, he said, the pavilion doesn't even have walls.
Trustee Alexis Braden said the village exhausted the bidding process with all the responsive bidders. She said she was confident Hinsdale could collect more private donations if unexpected costs occurred.
Village President Greg Hart said the pledged donations exceed the contract cost by $7,000.
"Obviously, it's not a ton," he said.
He agreed with Braden that given the support, he didn't think it would be difficult to make up the difference.
Byrnes said the village has a lot of needs to spend money on, noting that he regularly presents public works projects during meetings.
Hart said he understood Byrnes' concern, saying he, too, wanted to refrain from spending village money on the pavilion.
Other trustees said the contractor promised to absorb any overages.
The board voted 5-1 for the contract with Dave Knecht Homes. Byrnes dissented.
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