The Minot Downtown Infrastructure Improvements project received the 2019 National Project of the Year Award presented by the
American Public Works Association (APWA).
Minot's downtown dates back to the late 1800s, and its oldest buildings have seen more than a century of use. The downtown reconstruction project competed under the Historical Reservation/Preservation category due to how it helps preserve those historical structures and improve the area through various infrastructure improvements. This includes the restoration of a 119-year-old fountain that was gifted to the City of Minot in 1910.
In total, the project reconstructed 26 square blocks of public infrastructure over a three-year period. Designs and construction included new underground utilities, roadway, sidewalk, curb and gutter, rail crossings, lighting, landscape architecture, and more.
The National Project of the Year award divides projects in five category types:
- Structures
- Transportation
- Environment
- Historical Restoration/Preservation
- Disaster or Emergency Construction Repair
These categories are then subdivided into four cost divisions:
- Projects less than $5 million
- Projects of at least $5 million but less than $25 million
- Projects of at least $25 million to $75 million
- Projects more than $75 million
The Minot Downtown project was awarded the 2019 National Project of the Year in the Historical Restoration/Preservation category for projects of at least $25 million to $75 million. The project (as well as the award submittal) was a joint effort between the City of Minot, HEI, and MWH (now part of Stantec).
Learn more about the project.