Riverfront Renaissance Improvements
Location
City of Hastings, Minnesota
Overview
“Adding additional aspects can easily be overlooked, but that wow factor of projects where you can say, ‘wow, yeah that’s Hastings,’ it’s designed by the community and ties back to the character and uniqueness of the community.”
– Sam Kessel, Principal Landscape Architect
Solutions
Sectors
The City of Hastings wanted to revitalize and reconnect their downtown to the Mississippi River while leveraging the nearby regional trail connection. Bolton & Menk collaborated with the city to develop a three-phase Downtown Riverfront Renaissance project. Phases one and three focused primarily on the downtown infrastructure, while phase two focused on Levee Park, a prominent park straddling the Mississippi River, Mississippi River Regional Trail, and downtown business district.
Collaboration with city staff, stakeholder groups, and the public aided in the development of a park master plan. The master plan included enhancements to the regional trail and construction of an amphitheater, musical playground, ice skating rink, branding and signage, and a veteran’s memorial. Bolton & Menk provided final design services, including construction document development and construction administration.
The completion of this riverfront improvement project succeeded in connecting downtown Hastings to Levee Park and the regional trail, enhancing the user experience of each amenity, and creating a regional destination that users will want to visit time and again.
Awards
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American Public Works Association – 2018 Small Cities/Rural Communities Public Works Project of the Year: Structures
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American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota – 2017 Honor Award
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Minnesota Chapter of the American Public Works Association – 2017 Project of the Year Honorable Mention
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Minnesota Recreation and Park Association – 2017 Award of Excellence