The Downtown Plaza “The Naberhood” Project in Shawano, Wisconsin, has been awarded an ACEC WI State Finalist Award.

Faced with a declining historic downtown marked by vacant lots and struggling businesses, the City of Shawano launched a Downtown Master Plan to restore vibrancy and community engagement. A cornerstone of the plan was the creation of a downtown plaza, realized through a collaborative effort between the City, Strand Associates, Inc.^®, and local stakeholders. Despite challenges of land acquisition, demolition, and limited funding, the innovative plaza design transformed the space into “The Nabherood,” honoring local history and culture. Featuring elements like a performance stage, play area, decorative lighting, and a ‘river’ reflecting the nearby Wolf River. Salvaged bricks from a historic building further connect the plaza to its roots. Since its completion, the plaza has spurred business interest and hosted year-round events, fulfilling the City’s vision of a vibrant, unified downtown. Its success has earned multiple awards, including the APWA National Public Works Project of the Year Award for Small Cities/Rural Communities and the APWA Wisconsin Public Works Project of the Year Award for Small Cities/Rural Communities.

Read more about the project here: The Shawano Downtown Plaza Wins National APWA Public Works Project of the Year Award in Structures – Strand Associates, Inc.