The 22nd Avenue Uptown Reconstruction project in Kenosha, Wisconsin, has been awarded an American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Wisconsin Engineering Excellence State Finalist Award. The 22nd Avenue Uptown Reconstruction project stands as a prime example of how innovative approaches, community-driven planning, and sustainable design principles can breathe life into underutilized urban spaces.

The greatest challenges throughout the several phases of design were the social and economic implications of design decisions and helping the City recover from past civil unrest in 2020 that resulted in property damage through the corridor. We worked closely with City staff to balance practicality with beautification, all while remaining budget conscious. The solution was a design that focused equally on corridor aesthetic and practical design. We had previously completed design of several other portions of 22nd Avenue with a typical section that did not change the overall footprint of the road and focused mainly on roadway improvements. The City continued to trust us to deliver quality designs for this highly urbanized half-mile section.

The Uptown business district is a popular gathering place for the local community, as it offers several businesses, restaurants, attractions, and nearby schools. The updating of this corridor through road and signal improvements, pedestrian facility improvements, and more efficient lighting, provides residents and the surrounding community with a safer and more attractive place to live, work, and travel.