Common Council To Look At Downsized Abendschein Park Pavilion Design

OAK CREEK, WI — The Oak Creek Common Council on Tuesday is scheduled to review a design contract for a downsized Abendschein Park pavilion and beer garden after construction bids for a version proposed last year all came above budget, according to city documents.

The lowest bidder for the initial plans—which included 3,000 feet of enclosed space, a performance stage, and parking lot overhaul—came in at over $4.5 million, around $1.3 million over the design development budget, common council documents note.

Because of the budget shortfall, the bids were rejected in October 2022 and the plans were sent for cost-cutting revisions that retain the site's function, council documents said.

Among the changes listed by designers Plunkett Rayisch Architects: The size was cut from over 7,000 square feet to 4,600 square feet, a large stage would be omitted, plus parking lot improvements would be funded elsewhere.

Related: Beer Garden Included In Pavilion Proposed For Abendschein Park

Additionally, food truck hook-ups and fencing around a pond would be omitted, while planting density would be reduced to code minimums and site concrete would be simplified, the Plunkett Rayisch memo said.

The downsized plans still retain a prep kitchen and service area, plus seasonal storage and a cooler.

If the common council decides to not approve of the amended design contract, it may be a signal that the project has lost viability and work would effectively stop, council documents from city staff said.

The council may have to find additional funding sources for the project as funds from the 2022 capital improvements budget have been diverted to other projects, although the project's parking lot and entrance road was partially funded in the latest council budget, city documents said.

See the updated renderings in the council agenda from Plunkett Rayisch Architects below: