Author: scribe

Loucks Acquires Sanders Wacker Bergly

Loucks has acquired Saint Paul‐based Sanders Wacker Bergly (SWB), Minnesota’s first and oldest landscape architecture and planning firm. The acquisition will enhance Loucks’ landscape architecture and planning disciplines, allowing the firm to expand community planning, urban design, and streetscape planning services, while continuing to grow core multidisciplinary offerings that include civil engineering and land surveying.

 

“The Loucks team has been an important partner for us on several projects, and SWB has been doing great work in Saint Paul for decades,” said Louis Jambois, president of the Saint Paul Port Authority.  “We often work on complex projects that require a deep team with a diverse set of skills. Joining these two companies is great news for this market.”

 

Sanders Wacker Bergly’s history in Minnesota dates back to 1909.  The firm has worked on a number of significant projects in Minnesota, from the memorials at the State Capitol to Saint Paul’s Irvine Park Historic District.  SWB has also planned and designed notable Minnesota landmarks such as Theodore Wirth Park, Lake of the Isles, and Minnehaha Park; downtown streetscapes in Saint Paul, Red Wing, and Edina; and urban design work for the cities of Stillwater, Red Wing, and New Brighton.  

Simonson’s Salon & Spa Groundbreaking

On July 27, 2012, Loucks joined project partners Mohagen Hansen Architects, Arrow Companies, and owner Kyle Simonson to celebrate the official groundbreaking for Simonson’s Salon & Spa at 2855 Glacier Lane in Plymouth. The new location is currently in the first phase of the building process and features a modern building with a large sign tower, 3D ceilings, and full spectrum LED lighting. The building is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

Even102

Jeff Shopek wins Charles W. Britzius Distinguished Engineer Award

Loucks President and Principal Civil Engineer Jeff Shopek was awarded the Charles W. Britzius Distinguished Engineer Award for meeting the following criteria:

  • outstanding lifetime achievement in the practice of engineering
  • contributions to the engineering profession
  • actions enhancing the image of engineering in our society

Charles W. Britzius was the epitome of the distinguished engineer and epitomized the values and standards of the award that bears his name. Britzius founded Twin City Testing, served as mayor of Deephaven, and was a tireless contributor to MnSPE, ASCE, and other numerous professional and civic causes.

 

Loucks’ Beacon Bluff Redevelopment project wins ACEC of Minnesota’s Grand Award

The ACEC Grand Award was presented to the Saint Paul Port Authority, American Engineering Testing, Inc. and Loucks in recognition of the project team’s work on the Beacon Bluff Redevelopment in Saint Paul, MN. The project also earned The 2012 People’s Choice Award in ACEC’s Engineering Excellence Award Competition. 

Beacon Bluff is the largest development and revitalization effort in 30 years for the Saint Paul Port Authority. The 61-acre site was home for decades to 3M Company’s corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations. With considerable community input, the Saint Paul Port Authority adopted core “Development Principles” to guide the entire redevelopment process.

The project required innovative engineering to accomplish the owner’s requirement for green remediation of environmental contaminants within site soils. The project team designed and implemented a Next Generation Stormwater Management System to treat previously untreated stormwater. Beacon Bluff will bring meaningful jobs and ongoing economic prosperity to Saint Paul’s East Side.