On August 5, 1998, the City of Dearborn awarded a contract to J.O.A. Construction in the amount $450,000.00 to construct two (2) Picnic Shelters at Ford Field Park. The Ford Field Picnic Shelters project is funded by the City of Dearborn's General Capital Improvement Fund, along with a $140,000.00 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Construction of the Ford Field Picnic Shelters was delayed due to concerns of the City of Dearborn' Engineering Division and Ghafari Associates, Inc., (Project Architectural firm) regarding the proper elevation for the picnic shelters within the Rouge River flood plain. It was finally determined that each picnic shelter should be raised approximately 8", resulting in the south picnic shelter being 5 " above the I 00 yr. base flood elevation (BFE), and the north picnic shelter ending up 1'6" below the BFE. These elevation revisions resulted in additional project construction charges of $75,710.00.

In an effort to keep the project within budget, the Recreation Administration decided to eliminate the restrooms from the north picnic shelter. This decision was based on future plans to expand the existing comfort station, which is in decent condition and in close proximity to the new picnic shelter location. The cost deduction for the north picnic shelter restrooms was $52,562.00, resulting in a net increase of $23,148.00 to the J.O.A. Construction contract.

Construction on the Ford Field Picnic Shelters began in September of 1999 and is expected to be completed in early to mid January, pending weather conditions. To date, the concrete caisson foundations and underground utilities have been completed, along with the delivery of the pre-engineered metal buildings. Installation of the concrete building pads and erection of the metal buildings steel, siding and roofing will take place predominately during the month of November and very early December. The exterior masonry, above ground electrical, and painting will be the last construction items to be completed (once again pending weather conditions).