Main Street Reconstruction
2026 Engineering Excellence State Finalist
Entering Firm: SEH
Client: City of Rice Lake
Rice Lake’s Main Street had grown tired and disconnected. Cracked sidewalks, outdated utilities, aging trees, and an inefficient roadway created an uninviting corridor that limited the vibrancy and economic health of the city center. The community faced a central challenge: how to revive downtown while preserving its distinct identity.
Engineers preserved Rice Lake’s charm while delivering a safer and more inviting downtown.
Short Elliott Hendrickson began with locals at the heart of the process. Through public meetings and collaborative workshops, community members helped shape every stage of the project. Regular updates and active social media communication turned early ideas into a shared vision and built widespread ownership and enthusiasm.
Engineers designed a corridor that improved safety and kept the local character. Travel lanes were reduced and intersections narrowed to calm traffic and improve safety. Wide sidewalks, curb extensions, and decorative lighting created a welcoming environment day and night. The team used innovative underground soil cells to promote native tree growth while preventing root damage to the new sidewalks and underground utilities. Streetscape materials and colors were chosen to reflect Rice Lake’s heritage.
Today, Main Street is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly destination that supports local businesses, strengthens community connections, and demonstrates how thoughtful, community-centered design can renew a downtown while honoring its past.