TITLE
REQUEST TO EXERCISE THE AGREEMENT’S FIRST ONE (1) YEAR EXTENSION OPTION WITH F.H. PASCHEN, S.N. NIELSON & ASSOCIATES LLC FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE ELIZABETH MORSE GENIUS CHILDREN’S GARDEN AT THE GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY
SPECIFICATION NO. P-23007
BODY
To: The Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
Pursuant to Chapter XI, Section C.3.a of the Code of the Chicago Park District, the Director of Purchasing and the Director of the Department of Planning and Construction recommend an order be entered authorizing the General Superintendent or his designee to exercise the first one (1) year extension option with F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielson & Associates LLC for Construction of the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden at the Garfield Park Conservatory, Specification No. P-23007.
II. Initial Award Information
Date of Award: September 13, 2023, Park District Commissioner Board Meeting
Contractor F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates LLC
5515 East River Road
Chicago, IL 60656
Company Type: Limited Liability
Majority Interest: James V. Blair 87%
5515 N. East River Road, Chicago IL 60656
Contract Period: Initial contract period from December 13, 2023 to December 12, 2025. If extended, the first extension option will run from December 13, 2025 to December 12, 2026. One option to extend for an additional year remaining. If the extension option is exercised, funding shall be subject to annual appropriations.
Contract Amount: Not to exceed $9,168,633.18 for the entire term of the Agreement, including any extension options. This amount includes a change order of $587,633.18 approved by the Board on September 11, 2024. Expenditures for services remain subject to annual appropriations and each year’s budget.
Scope of Services: For Construction of the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the Agreement. Authorize the General Superintendent to execute the Agreement and the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the Agreement and keep an original copy of the Agreement on file.
II. Performance to Date:
F.H. Paschen has maintained in good standing as a contractor and performed their duties in an efficient and timely manner.
III. Current Expenditures:
Contract Start Date: December 13, 2023
Contract End Date: December 12, 2025
Contract Amount: $9,168,633.18
Payments to Date: $6,295,711.44 (69% as of 9/5/2025)
IV. Current MBE/WBE Compliance
Original MBE: 26.41%
Goals: WBE: 6.02%
Updated MBE: 25.29%
Goals: WBE: 7.57%
Current MBE 26.11%
Compliance: WBE 7.57%
V. Explanation of Recommendation
The Chicago Park District requests approval by the Board to authorize the first of two one (1)-year extension option to F.H. Paschen for a new contract end date of December 12, 2026.
The Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest and most stunning conservatories in the nation. Often referred to as “landscape art under glass,” the Garfield Park Conservatory occupies two acres of public greenhouse space and 10 acres of outdoor gardens. The Conservatory is an attraction that serves the local East Garfield Park community and attracts visitors from around the globe. In a typical year, 30% of visitors are from Chicago’s west side, and 58% are from the City of Chicago.
The warm tropical environment is an attraction for many families to visit and learn about plants and nature - especially in the cold winter months. The southwest section of the facility features a 6,000 square foot indoor children’s garden. Our partner, the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, has raised funds from private and government sources to completely renovate the room and build the new Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden. The project is designed to use nature to inspire and engage children, creating an immersive space of natural wonder where children can elevate their expectations, explore their possibilities, and discover their future.
The new garden and playscape will provide a free, year-round, accessible adventure playground for Garfield Park and Chicago families.
The project scope included the complete reconstruction of the children’s garden with new planting beds, new family restrooms and a new indoor playground that is designed specifically for the space. Play structures will be built with materials that can withstand the wet environment of an indoor greenhouse. A wheel-chair accessible spiral ramp will make its way up to the top of the Conservatory’s historic glass roof, providing views of the Conservatory grounds and the exhibits below. The playground will feature numerous play elements that provide children with opportunities to explore ways that plants are important for human health and ecosystems, along with opportunities to use both fine and gross motor skills. The centerpiece of the playground is a one-of-a-kind climber that will connect with the accessible ramp at the top of the greenhouse.
We expect the project to be substantially complete before the end of the initial 2-year term on December 13, 2025. However, we expect that completion of punch list items and final closeout will require additional time.
Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Chicago Park District to award FH Paschen a (1)-year extension of their contract for Construction of the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden at the Garfield Park Conservatory No. P-23007.
VI. General Conditions:
1. Conflicts: No agreement authorized herein shall be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if
entered into in violation of the provisions of the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act, 50 ILCS
105/0.01 et seq.
2. Ethics: This agreement is subject to Chapter III of the Code of the Chicago Park District
(“Governmental Ethics”).
3. Contingent Liability: Any agreement lawfully entered-into for a period of more than one year
shall be executory only for the amounts for which the Park District may become liable in succeeding
fiscal years pursuant to 70 ILCS 1505/17(i). The agreement shall contain a clause that any
expenditure beyond the current fiscal year is subject to appropriation in the subsequent fiscal year
budget.
4. Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Contractor has submitted a full and complete EDS.