After three years of planning, Braidwood's city council has approved a construction contract to finally build a dog park at 382 N. Center St., setting a completion deadline of June 1, 2027. The council voted to award the project to Ruben E. Smith Construction and R&R Inc., which submitted a base bid of $262,757, though the motion did not pass without friction on the dais.
A Long-Awaited Vote With Some Dissent
The council approved the motion on Tuesday, but it wasn't unanimous. Dale Walsh voted against the measure, while Warren Wietting abstained, according to Shaw Local. The outlet reports that some residents have described the dog park as more of a want than a need, urging city leaders to prioritize infrastructure instead. Mayor Todd Lyons said he prefers a balance between infrastructure projects and community amenities, per the same report.
The project has been years in the making. City leaders first discussed recreation plans that included a dog park back in November 2024, as Citizen Portal reported at the time, alongside talk of a splash pad and dial-a-ride signups. That early conversation eventually evolved into a concrete budget line and design process over the following year and a half.
Budget, Design Fees and Operating Questions
By late May 2026, council members confirmed that $300,000 had been set aside for the dog park in the recently passed city budget, according to Citizen Portal's reporting. Weeks later, in June, the council reviewed a proposed $300,000 dog park project and recommended hiring RVI Planning + Landscape Architecture, formerly known as Hitchcock Design Group, for $25,000 in design services, the outlet noted. Officials at that point said a joint agreement with the park district, along with operating rules covering passes, proof of vaccination and signage, still needed to be worked out before construction documents could be finalized.
RVI Planning + Landscape Architecture, based in Naperville, is now serving as the project's landscape architect. Per the contract terms described by Shaw Local, the firm will review construction materials and samples, observe work at appropriate intervals, review payment applications and offer recommendations on any proposed project changes as construction moves forward.
Contract Terms and Financial Safeguards
The awarded contract includes several standard financial protections for the city. The contractor must provide performance bonds and labor and material payment bonds equal to 100% of the contract amount within 14 days of the award, Shaw Local reported. The contractor is also required to maintain insurance coverage throughout construction and to provide documentation of that coverage.
The city will retain 10% of the amount due until it grants preliminary acceptance of the completed work, with the retained funds eligible for release only after final written acceptance. The city has agreed to provide a topographic survey of the project area, though it does not guarantee the accuracy of that survey information, according to the contract details reported by Shaw Local. The report also notes that the projected June 2027 completion date may be adjusted depending on when the contract is formally awarded.
