Park Falls Hospital Area Reconstruction
In the heart of Park Falls, a vital neighborhood surrounding Flambeau Hospital was in urgent need of renewal. Aging underground infrastructure dating back to the 1950s had long outlived its useful life, and the streets above were showing their age. The City of Park Falls turned to MSA for a comprehensive solution and together delivered a transformative 13-block reconstruction project that revitalized the community from the ground up.
This undertaking included the complete replacement of approximately 4,100 feet of water main and 4,000 feet of sanitary sewer. MSA’s design and construction engineering teams led the charge, coordinating the installation of new storm sewer systems, curb and gutter, and full street reconstruction from subbase to surface. Sidewalks were replaced, intersections were improved, and the entire corridor was brought up to modern standards of safety, accessibility, and reliability.
Recognizing the scale of the investment, MSA also partnered with the City to secure critical funding. Our grant specialists helped the City obtain a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Public Facilities. Additional financing was secured through the Wisconsin DNR’s Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Fund programs — ensuring the project could move forward without placing undue burden on local taxpayers.
The Flambeau Hospital district is more than just a neighborhood — it’s a hub for health, safety, and community life. By replacing deteriorated pipes, manholes, hydrants, valves, and other essential infrastructure, the City has ensured reliable water and sewer service for decades to come. The new streetscape enhances mobility for pedestrians and vehicles alike, while the upgraded stormwater system helps protect the area from flooding and runoff.
Construction wrapped up in 2021, marking a new chapter for the Park Falls community. What was once a patchwork of aging infrastructure is now a resilient, modern system designed to serve residents, businesses, and healthcare providers well into the future.
Client
City of Park Falls
Location
Park Falls, WI
Services Provided
Bridges, Roads & Highways
Funding
Municipal Infrastructure
Wastewater
Water Supply
Contact Project Lead
Jeff Seamandel
Field Project Manager
Related Projects
City of Park Falls State Highway 182 Bridge
Designing a replacement City bridge under tight constraints and vibration-sensitive surroundings.
MoreLa Salle Avenue Reconstruction – STH 25 to 7th Street
The City of Barron recognized a need to fully reconstruct a large portion of its downtown area to address deteriorating infrastructure and upgrade aesthetics along seven blocks of the community’s main corridor, La Salle Avenue.
Stretching from Mill Street (STH 25) eastward to 7th Street, this project involved the replacement of city water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer infrastructure, much of which was over 60 years old. It also removed existing galvanized service lines beneath the street to safeguard citizen health and comply with revisions to the U.S. EPA Lead and Copper Rule.
La Salle Avenue also received a new road base course, pavement, sidewalk, curb and gutter, and streetlights throughout, with upgraded streetscaping to enhance the downtown aesthetic. These finishing touches include colored concrete sidewalk, boulevards and crosswalks, decorative light poles, new benches, planters, and trees — elements identified in the Barron Downtown Plan developed by MSA years prior.
Other highlights of the La Salle project include optimizing downtown space by creating “flex space” along the north side of the avenue. This eliminates the curb between the parking lane and the sidewalk, placing it between the travel lanes and the parking lanes instead. This allows the parking lane to be closed off so businesses can use that added space for things like sidewalk sales, outdoor seating, and temporary seasonal events. The relocation of the curb also nicely boosts ADA accessibility. Attention to pedestrian access and safety is also evident in new bump-out areas at intersections to improve visibility and make crossings shorter.
The La Salle Avenue reconstruction project received over $1 million from the Wisconsin DNR Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) and over $600,000 from the WDNR Clean Water Fund (CWF) to address the aging utility infrastructure. The project also secured $400,000 from the Wisconsin DOT’s Municipal Street Improvement Discretionary (MSID) program and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The remainder was financed by the city via tax increment financing (TIF) with little impact to the general tax levy.
MSA provided planning, design, construction, and funding application and administration services for this $3.4M project. La Salle Avenue re-opened to traffic with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 20, 2024, a month earlier than projected. On April 16, 2025, Governor Tony Evers visited downtown Barron as part of a statewide tour highlighting initiatives from his 2025-27 Executive Budget that expand access to clean and safe drinking water in the state of Wisconsin.
Photo courtesy of Barron News-Shield