While an RFP (request for proposal) for Hancock Field designs was not approved at Leland Township’s regular meeting last week, township board and community members did discuss what should come next and which parties should be consulted in the process before moving forward.
The RFP sought proposals from engineering and planning firms to complete a design plan with attached cost estimates for construction and improvements for a portion of Hancock Field in Leland, a property the township owns. The selected firm would work with the Leland Township supervisor to create a detailed design plan that includes: Additions and improvements to the park, including, but not limited to, “ADA-compliant parking, pickle ball courts, a playground, a basketball court, and a little league baseball/softball field, along with the demolition of a grandstand and dedicated space for an ice rink.”
The RFP also included a project schedule, noting that the draft plan must be completed no later than Aug. 29, 2025 with final adoption by the township board scheduled for Sept. 8, 2025. July 14 was the projected date for awarding of the project.
Leland Township Supervisor Clint Mitchell said the township budgeted $8,000 for the RFP expense, and that improvements/ additions to Hancock highlighted in the RFP were previously discussed among parks and recreation, township board and community members within the last two years to apply for a Spark Grant. Mitchell said the plans for Hancock would incorporate those improvements from the grant application, but at this point in the process, the township was just looking to get cost estimates from potential firms.
Trustee Marianne Kirch cited her concerns regarding rushing the RFP process without further consulting Leland Public School and their own findings of the park. The school approved moving forward with a $21,027 feasibility study in December to analyze capital improvement options to Hancock Field and to explore renovations at the location to create a sports complex for use by students and the community.
Kirch said at the meeting that in addition to awaiting the findings from the school’s feasibility study, there are also newer township surveys that have been completed and could be considered in the process. The school’s Hancock Field feasibility study, conducted by the engineering firm Fanning Howey, was scheduled to be presented at Leland’s regular board meeting on May 19.
“I don’t know what the big rush is, if we could wait at least one month and move it to the next meeting, I would like parks and rec to at least look at it,” Kirch said. “This is a new board, and we’re trying to really improve the working relationship between the Leland Township board and the park committee who feel they want their voices at least heard… If we wait we can at least take a look at what the school has proposed. I think it will help us to write a better RFP.”
Trustee Steve Scales also voiced his concern about reviewing the findings from the school’s feasibility study before moving forward.
“I think the idea to abstain from voting on this tonight to approve the RFP makes sense until we understand what the school spent $21,000 on…” Scales said. “They’re (the school) going to have some findings that could shape our RFP — it’s one park, there should be, I think, one overarching plan.”
Mitchell said he was made aware of the feasibility study after the school had already approved it in December, adding that he met with the district’s superintendent, Stephanie Long, to confirm which areas of the field would be reviewed and utilized by both parties.
“I let her (Long) know that the township has the areas that we’re looking at that we would like to continue to have for the township park versus for the school entirely, and she was receptive to that,” Mitchell said. “We’re looking at two different areas of the park… in addition to a former ice rink. As far as the baseball field, we’re required to have one (in the lease)... I think there’s an interest in Hancock Park to have facilities for township residents. I also think it’s an important area for the school, and I think that can coexist.”
The township board will hold a special meeting at the township office at 10 a.m. today to discuss and take action on the approval of the Hancock Field RFP.
