"The Downtown Riverfront revitalization is a significant undertaking that happens to be located in the heart of our great community. Although the project itself is complex and an inconvenience during construction, Bolton & Menk’s staff consistently communicates with the adjacent business owners. It is a valuable aspect to our business community for them to have the ability to maintain operations in a safe manner during construction. Open communication with our residents and businesses is the city’s top priority during the revitalization project(s). Bolton & Menk has and continues to demonstrate positive community interaction not only in the project design phase but as well, during actual construction."
- Brian Yavarow, City Engineer
Early in 2018, Fergus Falls adopted a Downtown and Riverfront Master Plan aimed at uncovering economic and recreational opportunities along the Ottertail River corridor. Bolton & Menk was enlisted to guide the city through the planning process.
By 2021, with the final master plan and funding in place, Bolton & Menk developed design documents for a segment of the downtown riverfront. The proposed enhancements included a versatile river market structure, regional bike and pedestrian improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and public spaces like a splash pad, all shaped by community feedback gathered through meetings, events, surveys, and social media.
With these plans finalized, the city pursued and obtained funding to progress with phase 1 construction in 2022, which included the market structure, parking lot improvements, bike trail extension, river overlook, monumentation, and gathering spaces. Phase 2 was completed in 2024 with additional features like a splash pad, interactive river feature, public art, shade structures, multiple gathering spaces, and a public restroom building.
Because of the innovative planning, engineering, and landscape architecture, the city has a beautiful downtown riverfront area that attracts users from across the region.
Bolton & Menk used steering committee input to have the first public discussion of the
The urban park includes seating, public art, water features, gathering spaces, and significant open lawn
The park is rich with detailing and custom elements that include prominent entry monument signage,
Central Piedmont Community College is expecting a 50 percent increase in the student population by
Three Bolton & Menk projects received accolades from the City Engineers Association of Minnesota (CEAM) in both
Two Bolton & Menk projects have received Project of the Year Awards from the Minnesota
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