New Lenox Greenlights Early Work Package for Crossroads Fieldhouse Project

Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Village Board for May 18, 2026

Article Summary: The New Lenox Village Board on Monday, May 18, 2026, approved a resolution waiving competitive bidding and authorizing an early work package proposal with Northern Builders LLC for the Crossroads Fieldhouse project, allowing ground clearing and geotechnical work to begin while the full construction contract is finalized for the June 8 meeting.

Crossroads Fieldhouse Early Work Key Points:

• The board approved a resolution waiving competitive bidding and authorizing Northern Builders LLC to begin initial site work.
• The early package covers ground clearing, geotechnical work, and bonding and insurance for the entire fieldhouse project.
• The full construction contract with Northern Builders is targeted for approval at the June 8, 2026, board meeting.
• The early start is intended to maintain the village’s construction schedule for the fieldhouse.

NEW LENOX — The New Lenox Village Board on Monday, May 18, 2026, unanimously approved a resolution waiving competitive bidding and authorizing an early work package proposal with Northern Builders LLC for the Crossroads Fieldhouse project.

Mayor Tim Baldermann described the action as a schedule-preservation move, telling trustees that the village has been “doing quite a bit of work with our team and with TRIA architecture, as well as Northern” in preparation for the project.

“This in order to maintain the schedule that we want is just the initial work that will be out there: the ground clearing, geotech, that sort of thing,” Baldermann said. “By the time we have our next board meeting June 8th, we’re hoping to have the complete contract with Northern for this.”

What the Early Package Covers

According to the mayor’s explanation, the approved early work package includes more than just the initial site preparation. The cost figure presented to the board also encompasses bonding and insurance for the entire Crossroads Fieldhouse project, which Baldermann said accounted for the size of the dollar amount associated with the early package.

The specific dollar figure for the early work package was not stated aloud during the open portion of the meeting. The waiver of competitive bidding was incorporated directly into the resolution rather than handled as a separate motion, as had been the case for several other waiver actions Monday night.

The resolution was approved by unanimous roll call vote. Trustee Keith Madsen made the motion, and Trustee Katie Christopherson provided the second. Trustees Madsen, Bryan Reiser, Jim Wilson and Christopherson all voted yes, joined by Baldermann. Trustees Lindsay Scalise and Amy Gugliuzza were absent.

The Crossroads Fieldhouse project is expected to return to the village board on June 8, 2026, when the full construction contract with Northern Builders is scheduled for consideration.