Thought Leadership

The MN Solar on Public Buildings Program for a Sustainable Future

November 11, 2024
By Ameer Kian, Sr Project Manager, WSB

The Minnesota Legislature established the Solar on Public Buildings (SPB) Grant Program in 2023, allocating $4.3 million in grants to local governments within Xcel Energy’s service territory. Administered by the Department of Commerce, this program aims to promote solar energy systems on public buildings, supplementing Federal Tax Credits.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligible applicants include counties, cities, towns, and federally recognized Indian Tribes in Minnesota, excluding school districts within Xcel Energy’s service territory. The grants cover up to 70% of project costs for solar arrays on public buildings, with a capacity of up to 40kW or 120% of the building’s annual energy consumption. The application deadline is Monday, December 2, 2024.

For more information on this program, you can visit the MN Department of Commerce website here: Solar on Public Buildings / Minnesota Department of Commerce – Energy.

Strategic Benefits of the SPB Program

The Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program enables cities to reduce energy costs, lower carbon footprints, and demonstrate commitment to renewable energy. Economic efficiency is achieved through financial incentives and long-term energy savings. Solar energy’s environmental impact includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel reliance. Adopting solar positions local governments as sustainability leaders, enhancing community pride and fostering innovation.

How WSB Can Help

WSB has successfully applied for and received funding for our clients from the first round of this program earlier this year. We can assist in the following areas:

• Streamlining the RFP process and completing the Readiness Application, ensuring compliance with the grant application requirements
• Prioritizing locations for grant consideration based on energy usage data and solar feasibility
• Identifying system and City eligibility for additional funding via Federal Clean Energy Tax Credit Elective Pay system
• Navigating through complexities with Community Solar Garden subscriptions and eligibility requirements
• Estimating PV system size, annual production and assessing utility grid capacity based on publicly available tools
• Providing guidance on solar best practices and setting up a successful RFP process for contractor selection

In addition to the Solar for Public Buildings RFP, WSB has experience in and can support local municipalities and governments in their energy and sustainability goals by:

• Writing zoning ordinance updates to align city code with EV and Solar infrastructure
• Drafting and implementing Climate Plans to secure funding for solar and renewable energy and helping design EV Charging infrastructure
• Writing grants to obtain energy efficiency funds and conduct equitable community outreach to drive future climate focused investments

For more information on WSB’s experience and services in Sustainability, please visit our website: Sustainability – WSB Seeking more sustainable solutions.

Conclusion

The SPB Program empowers local governments to lead in sustainability. With WSB’s expertise, cities can navigate the grant process, maximize funding, and implement impactful solar projects. This program not only reduces energy costs and environmental impact but also positions cities as leaders in innovation and sustainability. Embracing this program is a significant step towards a cleaner, greener future. Contact us today to get help starting the application process.

Amplifying Leadership by Advancing Accessibility in Engineering and Engagement

December 3, 2024
By Chhavi Dhingra, Senior Manager of Public Engagement, WSB

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let us reflect on progress toward accessibility and the work ahead. 

Accessibility—ensuring everyone can participate fully in society—is not just a legal mandate but a moral imperative. People with disabilities contribute far beyond being users of infrastructure. They serve as leaders, trainers, reviewers, service providers and vendors, bringing expertise that enhances project outcomes. This year’s theme emphasizes the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. 

WSB strives to advance accessibility in every facet of our work. A landmark project with Minneapolis Public Works involved designing the city’s first—and the nation’s second—shared-use street with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant features. 

Recognizing that accessibility goes beyond structural changes to include digital tools, equitable communication, and inclusive urban planning, our Public Engagement team at WSB helps develop materials that address barriers such as low vision, hearing impairments, motor skill challenges, and neurodiverse conditions. Collaborating with digital technologists, we use tools like ArcGIS StoryMaps, Survey123, and Collector for ArcGIS to develop accessible websites, story maps, and web applications compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). 

The ADA’s recent mandate to expand the scope for digital accessibility improvements for state and local governments highlights the importance of rethinking accessibility in a digital-first world. Additional information on ADA requirements for digital communications is available here. 

Accessibility is about creating a world where everyone can thrive, and WSB is committed to this vision by championing accessibility in both design and communication. 

Grant Opportunities for Minnesota Cities

December 4, 2024
By Amy Fredregill, Sr Director of Sustainability, WSB

We would like share news about three upcoming resiliency grant opportunities that can help cities in Minnesota advance their strategic plans, reduce costs and risks, and provide new services to stakeholders.

MN Pollution Control Agency Local Climate Action Grant

The MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has opened applications for the Local Climate Action (LCA) grants. There are two types of grants available: a climate action planning grant and a climate action implementation grant. These grants are available to local governments, Tribes, community-based nonprofits, and schools working on projects to reduce climate pollution and prepare communities for climate change impacts.

The planning grant focuses on developing local action plans to combat and adapt to climate change, including community-wide greenhouse gas emissions data collection through the Regional Indicators Initiative at no cost. The implementation grants fund projects that execute existing climate or sustainability plans, aiming to increase community resilience to climate change and reduce contributions to it.

The maximum grant award for both programs is $50,000, with a match requirement based on community population size. Communities with populations under 20,000 need to match 5% of the grant amount, while those with populations of 20,000 or more need to match 50%. Applications are due by January 9, 2025.

MPCA Community Resilience Implementation Grant

The MPCA is also offering $5 million in grants for non-stormwater and non-wastewater projects to enhance community resilience to climate change. Eligible projects include extreme heat mitigation, hardening public assets against extreme weather, upgrading resilience hubs, improving transportation alternatives, wildfire resilience, public water supply projects, and climate resiliency upgrades to publicly owned housing or community storm shelters. Applications are due by December 19, 2024.

Geothermal Planning Grants

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is launching a new grant program to provide financial assistance for examining the feasibility of geothermal energy systems. Grants of up to $150,000 are available for planning geothermal systems that heat and cool buildings. Eligible applicants include counties, cities, townships, and the Metropolitan Council. The program will launch by the end of 2024, with a public webinar scheduled for December 16, 2024.

Next Steps

At WSB, we specialize in helping communities secure funding and grant opportunities through competitive applications, innovative partnerships, and cost-effective approaches. Recently, we assisted a tribe in securing $5 million from the EPA for a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant and helped a city obtain a Solar on Public Buildings grant. Let us know how we can assist you in securing funding to advance your goals.

Assessing the effectiveness of pond sediment removal

July 15, 2024
By Jake Newhall, Director of Water Resources, WSB and Bill Alms, Project Manager in Water Resources, WSB

WSB is Leading a New Study that Will Assess the Effectiveness of Pond Sediment Removal for Phosphorus Management in Stormwater Ponds.

Stormwater ponds are an effective way to treat and control stormwater runoff. However, recent studies have indicated that there may be an increasing threat of phosphorus being released from stormwater ponds that can increase pollutant loading to lakes, streams, and wetlands. To address this concern, WSB, the University of Minnesota and six Minnesota communities have come together to perform a study funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation Local Road Research Board. This study will provide practical data that will help communities across Minnesota manage their stormwater ponds and ultimately improve water quality.

With that in mind, here is what communities and their residents can expect.

What Does The Study Entail?

Six Minnesota communities – Maple Grove, Plymouth, Prior Lake, Savage, Burnsville and Woodbury – will each provide one stormwater pond project to be used as the basis of the study. During the summer of 2024, researchers will visit each pond, take sediment samples and run analysis to determine how much phosphorus is in the basin and how much phosphorus release potentially exists. Then, in the winter of 2024, each pond will undergo a pond dredging project that removes sediment buildup. Following the dredging projects, new samples will be taken during the summer of 2025 to analyze and determine whether current maintenance processes for stormwater ponds can address phosphorus release concerns.

Why Is The Study Needed?

Minnesota has over thirty thousand stormwater retention ponds that treat and control stormwater runoff, but also risk discharging pollutants that impact water quality. Additionally, stormwater ponds are used across the country, meaning that if current dredging practices are not working as intended, the data gathered by this study will directly impact stormwater management regionally and nationally. Primarily, this study will provide much needed data to make new recommendations on how to tackle and prioritize maintenance to maximize pollutant removal.

Phosphorus is particularly detrimental to water quality as it causes the growth of algae in lakes and rivers. Algae blooms not only lower water quality, but also reduce oxygen in the water and are toxic to people and wildlife alike, with studies attributing algae blooms as a potential cause for detrimental health conditions.

What Is WSB Doing To Help?

WSB’s team of experts understand how to manage and improve water resources. WSB is innovating, looking at the science and developing cutting edge tools and techniques to help communities better manage stormwater runoff and water quality. As the study commences and the final data sets are made available in 2025, the work of our talented team will provide the information necessary for communities in Minnesota and across the country improve their programs and to protect their water and their residents.

The Value of Program Management

August 1, 2024
By Ang Points, Sr Project Manager, WSB

Cities, counties, and municipalities are growing at exponential rates, more now than ever before. Ensuring that these rapidly growing communities execute projects efficiently and effectively is necessary to meet the expectations of their stakeholders and current citizens and to prepare for the demands on existing and even new infrastructure. However, there is often too much work that current staff cannot handle alone, and cities may not be able to hire enough or qualified full-time staff to support the demands. Program Management provides support for cities that do not have the capacity or ability to take on these programs or projects themselves as an immediate, even short-term solution that is flexible and scalable to meet the ever-changing demands of a city.

Through Program Management, we partner and work alongside city staff, interweaving and executing work on behalf of the city as an extension of the staff. It provides technical knowledge and design as well as valuable expertise and support in project management, contract management, communications with elected officials and stakeholders, building financial strategies and more.

To best support our clients in Program Management needs, our team of experts use the 3 T’s— technology, transparency and teamwork.

Technology

To build an effective and efficient program, technology is key. It is the foundation of the 3 T’s, and only through technology can we build a collaborative team and establish trust with the public, stakeholders and elected officials.

Using Smartsheet, Power BI, Teams, Bluebeam, Primavera 6, and communication tools — we can increase knowledge and awareness of the city’s projects and efficiently and effectively connect with all those involved in the execution of projects. Reliable data and information at the fingertips of decision makers and the public creates an environment of trust. Technology is a driving factor in moving these programs forward.

Transparency

The public’s tax dollars are the reasons these projects get accomplished— its only right to keep the public informed. It is best practice to be proactive when providing information and make it easily accessible. This can be done by creating a website designed specifically for the program with a Power BI dashboard. The dashboard shares financial data including where the funding is coming from, the designated uses of those dollars, and even spending projections. Monthly newsletters and project-by-project updates on the website give stakeholders the ability to access information without requesting it through official channels.

By sharing this information with the public and providing it at their fingertips, you are funding transparency. This will put taxpayers at ease and build trust for the ongoing program. For internal decision makers, tools like Teams, Smartsheet and PowerBI are key to seeing the overall program down to dollar-for-dollar and even day-to-day details in real-time.

We have seen great success from taking this approach with a recent project, with the City of Buda and their 2021 Buda Bond Program.

Teamwork

A goal of Project Management is to integrate our teams and work collaboratively across all levels of effort. This is best accomplished through using Teams. Being responsive and available as a consultant to the city staff is critical, and joining the same Teams platform alleviates any challenges of connecting. This type of teamwork makes us reachable, responsive, and able to collaborate daily and on-demand to all levels of staff. This level of teamwork using Teams and even Bluebeam also allows ourselves, the city’s consultants, and city staff to work interactively on documents and decisions more easily.

Smartsheet, an elite, interactive tool, significantly improves collaboration and consistency. Its advanced capabilities of storing documents and unique viewership of history and updates strengthens workflows. Smartsheet makes coordinating with teams, making decisions, and viewing progress more efficient.

How WSB can Help

Program Management is a tool and service available to cities, but we know to be successful you must rely on the 3 T’s. Our experienced team provides your staff with technical excellence and additional support, and we also prioritize using advanced technology to prepare you for the future while building trust with the public and increasing collaboration. Technology, transparency and teamwork will drive projects forward, and we are here to offer scalable, flexible, and effective support.

Our Program Management team is more than designers— we effortlessly integrate all aspects from writing council reports and presentations, projecting budgets and financial actions, managing contracts on behalf of the city, presenting to the public, engaging with consultants, creating finance and management strategies, and executing plans in design and in project management. Our team has the expertise to build innovative and feasible strategies, and compiles everything into organized workflows that can then be shared with city staff in real-time. With increasing demands on cities, we can integrate workflows using technology to make processes and procedures more efficient and less time consuming.

We understand how cities operate and what cities want and need – we have first-hand experience in the city staff’s shoes. We are eager to support cities as they Forge Ahead.

Stormwater Management & Planning in Expanding Communities

August 1, 2024
By Jake Newhall, Director of Water Resources and Samuel Phillips, Water Resources Engineer, WSB

As communities grow, the challenge of stormwater management becomes increasingly complex. The key to success lies in proactive planning and the strategic development of infrastructure that can adapt to future growth. Learn more about strategies for effective stormwater management in growing communities.

Impact of Population Growth on Stormwater Systems
With urban expansion comes the inevitable addition of impervious surfaces – concrete, asphalt, and roofs, for example – which significantly increases stormwater runoff and alters natural drainage patterns. These changes make communities more vulnerable to flooding and localized erosion, pushing existing infrastructure to its limits and leading to environmental degradation.

Strategic Infrastructure Planning
Effective stormwater management starts with comprehensive planning. Communities need to integrate stormwater management considerations into all stages of development. This includes assessing the potential impact of new construction on stormwater runoff and making necessary adjustments to the stormwater system in early planning phases. It is critical that the planning factors in the existing regulatory framework at the state level, e.g., MPCA regulations in Minnesota, or at local level, e.g., Watershed Districts or city regulations.

Incorporating Flexibility in Infrastructure Design
To accommodate growth, stormwater systems must be designed for flexibility and scalability. This involves creating systems that can be expanded or adjusted as the population grows and land use changes. Techniques such as flow rate control structures, expandable stormwater detention facilities including underground storage are vital. These systems ensure that the infrastructure can evolve in step with the growing community’s needs, without requiring complete overhauls. Often it can be beneficial to plan stormwater management at a regional level, rather than on a project-by-project basis.

Surface Water Quality
In recent decades the stormwater management focus has shifted from traditional rate control through detention towards water quality and volume reduction. Runoff retention, infiltration practices, and erosion control techniques are essential components of the infrastructure planning. Creative solutions such as biofiltration or underground infiltration play an important role in keeping the sediment and nutrient loads at a minimum to preserve healthy riverine and lacustrine ecosystems.

Enhancing System Resilience Through Advanced Engineering
Employing advanced engineering solutions can significantly boost the efficiency and resilience of stormwater systems. For instance, real-time monitoring systems can provide immediate data on water levels, flow rates and system performance, allowing for swift responses to potential flooding events. Additionally, automated control systems can dynamically manage gates and pumps to optimize water flow during different weather conditions.

As communities build resilient infrastructure in growing areas, it may be desirable to bring enhanced stormwater infrastructure to previously developed areas. This is often a challenge, as space may be limited. Hydraulic and water quality modeling can be useful tools in completing subwatershed assessments to identify optimal areas for improvement.

Community Engagement and Education
Community involvement is crucial for the success of stormwater management strategies. Educating the public about the importance of reducing surface runoff and maintaining personal property to aid in water absorption can have profound effects. Community-based initiatives, such as rainwater harvesting and the proper maintenance of private drainage systems, complement larger infrastructure projects and empower residents to contribute to the health of their environment.

Economic and Regulatory Considerations
Planning for the economic aspects of stormwater management is as critical as the technical components. Funding mechanisms, whether through local government budgets, grants or public-private partnerships, need to be established. Moreover, robust regulatory frameworks that mandate sustainable stormwater practices in new developments can drive compliance and ensure that growth is managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

How WSB Can Help
Managing stormwater in a growing community requires foresight, innovation, and community collaboration. At WSB, we provide expert consulting and engineering services that help communities plan, design, construct and maintain flexible, efficient and cost-effective stormwater management systems. Our approach ensures that your infrastructure not only meets today’s needs but is also prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.

Three Strategies for Sustainable Drinking Water Systems

August 1, 2024
By Steve Nelson, Director of Water/Wastewater, WSB

The resilience of public water treatment systems has never been more crucial. There are also new opportunities that allow us to design systems that are sustainable, efficient, healthy and adaptable.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) presents a pivotal opportunity for cities to bolster their water treatment infrastructure with a focus on sustainability and resilience. This historic funding initiative supports the modernization of critical infrastructure, including the integration of sustainable technologies and practices within public water systems. By accessing IIJA funds, cities can invest in treatment technologies, green infrastructure and energy-efficient upgrades that meet regulatory demands position them to better address future challenges. The act offers a strategic pathway for cities to align financial investments with long-term sustainability and water treatment goals.

Three of the current models being used include:

• Water Reclamation using Green Infrastructure, such as biofiltration systems, which can contribute to urban greenery while reducing irrigation loads on a water treatment plant.
• Advanced Water Recycling Technologies, such as reverse osmosis (RO) that treat and reuse wastewater.
• Water Supply Plan initiatives by which public water supplies work to reduce per capita demands and maximum day to average day peaking factors.

Three new, innovative strategies for sustainable drinking water systems that can enhance the resilience of drinking water treatment systems:

• BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION – This technology has been used in the vast majority of European drinking water treatment plants for the last few decades. WSB has been at the forefront of working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to pilot test and implement the technology in several metropolitan area Minnesota communities. The process harnesses nature to avoid challenges and realize many benefits including:
  • Vastly reduce costs for water treatment plant expansions through MDH approval of filtration rates that can be double that of what MDH approves for conventional filter operations. This level of filter efficiency can eliminate the need for building additions and filter expansions and save municipalities millions of dollars in capital improvements costs.
  • Reduce chemicals added during treatment resulting in more natural drinking water and less potential for the formation of chemical by-products and the health risks such byproducts may introduce.
  • Better air quality in the water treatment plant, healthier air for the plant operators and less corrosion of equipment and infrastructure in the plant.
  • Better tasting water.
  • Reduce taste, odor and corrosion in the distribution system, which is good for Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) compliance and reduces the amount of expensive orthophosphates that need to be added to the finished water and carried into the distribution system.
• GEO-THERMAL ENERGY – WSB staff have worked with water treatment staff to harness the geo-thermal energy of drinking water that passes through treatment plants in Minnesota. No such large-scale systems have been allowed in the last several years. Recently, a new technology, by which to capture this geo-thermal energy, is emerging and may prove fruitful for some Minnesota drinking water treatment plants.
• PLATE SETTLERS – Although not as recent, there is once again the potential to apply for funding assistance if the expansion or optimization of your water treatment facility could benefit from the space saving and increased water recovery associated with plate settlers. We have helped implement nearly a dozen plate settlers for such purposes.

How WSB Can Help
These new opportunities to procure funding and enhance sustainable drinking water systems promote adaptability, treated water aesthetics and operator health are something we are prepared to assist you with. Our team works with you to leverage these technologies, apply for federal or state funding and help you build a drinking water treatment system that provides great water quality, reduced chemical use and adaptability for meeting future demands and regulations.

The Crucial Role of Geotechnical Engineers in Infrastructure Development

July 29, 2024
By David J. Gordinier, P.E., Geotechnical Department Manager, WSB

In the complex landscape of infrastructure development, the role of a geotechnical engineer is often pivotal yet understated. For municipalities, counties, and private developers, understanding the ground on which they build is not just a precaution—it’s a necessity. Geotechnical engineering is the key that unlocks the potential of any site, ensuring that the envisioned projects are not only feasible but also sustainable and cost-effective.

Understanding the Foundation: The Geotechnical Guide

Before any concrete is poured or any beam is erected, a thorough understanding of the site’s soil is crucial. A geotechnical engineer provides this insight through detailed soil studies, which are the first step in transforming an area from a plot of land to a developed property. These studies allow developers to understand what they can build and how they can build it, aligning their ambitions with the practical realities of the soil beneath.

The Value of Geotechnical Reports

A comprehensive geotechnical report is more than just a routine check—it’s a fundamental part of due diligence. It assesses various soil characteristics such as density, composition, and stability, which can vary significantly from one site to another. This report can reveal critical issues such as soft or expansive soils, or deeper Geologic risks including Karst and subsidence. Such insights are crucial not only in deciding whether to purchase a property but also in planning the development to avoid costly errors and delays to the project.

Why Choose WSB?

Choosing WSB for geotechnical engineering means opting for a partner who prioritizes your project’s timelines and budget. Our detailed attention to these aspects has earned us a loyal client base. WSB boasts a diverse portfolio, rich in a variety of projects, allowing us to quickly devise solutions tailored to the specific geological challenges of your site.

We believe in clear communication, translating complex geotechnical data into easy-to-understand terms, and maintaining constant contact with our clients. From delivering detailed reports to conducting follow-up calls, we ensure that you are well-informed at every step.

Building with Confidence

Incorporating a geotechnical engineer into your development team is not just about adhering to standards—it’s about building with confidence. With WSB, you gain a partner who provides the expertise to navigate the complexities of soil challenges, ensuring that your infrastructure projects are built on solid ground. The guidance from an experienced and knowledgeable geotechnical engineer can also make the difference in success during construction including assisting the contractor with cost effective solutions when or if they arise.

Designing and Improving the Snake River Bridge

August 28, 2024
By Carl Osberg, PE, Director of Structures, WSB

Meeting Traffic Demands and Environmental standards with aesthetic sensitivity

As with many instances of aging infrastructure, the bridge across the Snake River to the East of Pine City, MN reached a point in its lifespan where it needed to be redesigned and replaced. Construction projects like bridges require focused attention to a variety of elements to not only ensure the bridge is sound and long lasting, but also to ensure no concerns are created like blocking off access from boats or environmental concerns. The Snake River Bridge scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2024 provides a superb example of the many facets that make up bridge design.

Meeting Traffic Needs

One point of consideration for bridges are current and future traffic needs. Previously, if farm equipment needed to cross from both sides of the bridge there would be issues. With the newest designs, the addition of extra wide shoulders allows for traffic to flow whether by car or larger. Through traffic forecasting, a bridge design can meet the needs of the current levels of traffic and those estimated for up to 40 years of potential population growth in the area. This project’s analysis deemed additional lanes unnecessary so long as the extra wide shoulders were included. Ensuring the bridge is only as big as is needed will save considerable time and money.

Considering Environmental Data and Concerns

In bridge design, gathering hydraulic data about the river is imperative to ensure that not only will the bridge be able to handle expected seasonal water depths and the speed of the river’s flow, but also to ensure that any bridge design avoids negatively impacting the areas downstream. For example, the updated trail on either side of the bridge included designs for updated drainage ponds and piping to prevent the road and nearby residences from being affected during heavy rains.

When tearing down an existing bridge, care must be taken to ensure that the river is not polluted, and animal habitats are not unnecessarily impacted. Specifically for the Snake River project, remnants of an older bridge still remained and new designs included removal. For both environmental concerns and financial reasons, the Snake River Bridge was designed with the impetus of ensuring durability and expandability. Not only is the bridge made to last, but also if population growth surpasses estimates the bridge can be more easily expanded to fit the new needs rather than torn down and rebuilt again.

To meet environmental and safety concerns, plans for a path underneath the bridge were included in the design that will grant extra protection for drivers, pedestrians, and the local wildlife once the bridge is completed and put to use. Accessible paths allow for foot traffic of both people and animals to maneuver safely without needing to cross the street.

Reducing Costs

Steps were taken through data gathering and design to limit unnecessary costs. These aspects include adding contingencies in relation to the soil and bedrock. Through geotechnical data gathering, it was identified that there are high levels of bedrock close to the surface in the construction area. Building with bedrock is difficult and attention was given to include contingencies on how to handle different bedrock or soil conditions during construction to ensure the project does not stop and cost money and time. Additionally, to limit excess costs geotechnical data was able to be acquired by drilling through the old bridge and into the soil rather than using a barge. Using a barge for data gathering would have drastically increased costs.

A Completed Project With Aesthetic Appeal

Bridge designs like the one used for the Snake River Bridge meet the needs of the communities that use it, protect against environmental impacts to the water, soil and local animals, reduce costs, and provide a timetable to ensure the bridge will be constructed and reopened without delay. Even down to forgoing the usual plain rectangular shapes and including parabolic arches to for little additional funds to make the bridge more attractive and not stand out so much against the beautiful environment around it. Creating not only a finished usable bridge, but one that is attentive to the various needs of the community, the land it sits on, and the river it crosses are what bridge design is all about.

Land Development and Planning in Tribal Communities

August 30, 2024
By Jay Adams, Proposal and Tribal Client Manager, WSB

Optimizing resources for community growth and infrastructure.

Over 40% of the land in Oklahoma is made up of tribal communities and 38 federally recognized tribes call the state home, including the Kickapoo Tribal Community. The large presence of tribal communities within the state increases the importance of coordination and collaboration on construction projects. In addition, recent legislation is encouraging development in and around this land. With so many players, it is extremely important to have clear coordination and concise communications. These Tribal Nations, just like any other government, regularly seek out grant funding for development purposes. The Kickapoo filed for grant funding after identifying a variety of infrastructure improvements needed within their community, including improving land usage and building renovation.

Improving Land Usage

With newly acquired grant funding, the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma identified the need to update their wastewater treatment sites. Wastewater treatment lagoons, like the ones used on their land, require far less maintenance than other water treatment systems. However, communities that rely on these lagoons struggle with odor problems, especially during warm weather and the inability to develop the large spaces occupied by the lagoons. To rectify this problem, our team noted that the current sewage system needed to be expanded. Using the new lift stations, the lagoons will be drained, and all of the sewage and contaminants flushed through newly installed pipelines to an existing mechanical wastewater treatment plant.

To improve efficiency for current and future projects, we created a detailed land survey with aerial mapping to identify the exact locations of all new installations as well as any potential issues that could negatively affect the system expansion. Furthermore, the removal of the lagoons combined with the land survey will provide the Kickapoo Tribe with new opportunities to develop previously unusable land for agricultural, residential or industrial purposes.

Building Renovations

In addition to wastewater treatment, the Tribe received grants dedicated to refurbishing older buildings. To better use available land and infrastructure, the Kickapoo Tribe partnered with WSB to create a plan to redevelop an old equipment building. The old storage building will be redesigned and updated for future use as an office building for the Tribal Government’s information technology staff. To aid in this venture, WSB is coordinating with an architecture firm to provide initial drawings and architectural maps for the building.

Throughout this process, the Kickapoo Tribe find value in working with a full-service firm to support their growing infrastructure needs throughout their community.  As many systems impact one another, the ability for in-house expertise has allowed them to better utilize funding and resources across their community and better plan for future expansions.

Planning For the Future

The access and availability to grants is an opportunity for not only the Kickapoo Tribe, but other Tribal Nations across Oklahoma and the U.S. With more resources than ever before, tribal communities can better position themselves to support the infrastructure needs of their communities.