City of Winthrop

Since 2006, the City of Winthrop and ISG have built a strong relationship through municipal planning and design projects. Most recently, there has been collaboration on key public works, public facilities, and transportation projects. As Winthrop’s appointed City Engineer since 2015, our team has committed to working as an extension of City staff and making every dollar count for the community’s long-term success. Passionate neighbors and advocates, ISG’s professionals have delivered practical solutions and cost-effective options—an approach for true partnership that helps the community thrive.

• Collaborative partnership since 2006
• Right-sized approach to enhance community vitality and quality of life
• Pedestrian-focused designs to create safer, more inviting spaces
• Creative planning to preserve history while meeting future needs
• Critical infrastructure upgrades to improve reliability and safety

Project Highlights

Annual Street + Utility Improvements

The City has invested annually in community vitality by improving roadway and utility infrastructure. Since 2013, ISG has led the design for improvements, including sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, roadway, curb and gutter, and streetscaping. Downtown street and utility work shortened pedestrian crossing distances, reduced inflow and infiltration, alleviated problem flooding, and improved water distribution.

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2023 Utility + Street Improvements

The City worked with ISG to reimagine 2nd Street from Brown Street to Hennepin Street. The project enhanced essential services with upgrades to sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water mains. Pedestrian-focused improvements included bump-outs, swing benches, and planter boxes—creating a safer and more attractive downtown for residents and visitors. Illuminated signage panels tell Winthrop’s history. State-aided funding through collaboration with Sibley County helped alleviate the financial burden on taxpayers.

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City Park Master Plan + Improvements

Honoring a mission to preserve its past while looking forward, the City partnered with ISG to develop a master plan for their beloved City Park. The plan assesses the park’s existing amenities, accessibility, community needs, and environmental conditions to determine a path forward for preserving its assets and preparing it for the future. Community engagement was critical to plan development. ISG provided engagement materials, graphics, maps, and facilitated a mix of surveys and events to hear the community’s voices throughout planning and design. Proposed improvements included a splashpad and circulation enhancements.

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Stormwater Management Study

Following a rainfall event that resulted in significant flooding during the summer of 2020, the City recognized the need to better understand their capacity for larger storms in the future. ISG’s stormwater professionals stepped in to prepare a stormwater management study that assessed the land’s topography, hydrology, and hydraulics. Stormwater modeling was used to evaluate theoretical 10-year and 100-year storm events. Results informed a list of recommended improvements with cost options, which the City has worked on implementing with larger projects, including the 2023 street and utility improvements.

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Trunk Highway 19 Bridge Replacement (SP 7205-114)

Just east of Winthrop, ISG addressed critical drainage and safety needs through the replacement of a box culvert under Trunk Highway 19. ISG designed a unique sanitary sewer siphon solution to navigate the ditch as well as a section of pavement reconstruction. This entailed collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

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Facility Space Needs, Planning, and Design

Managing facility operations and maintenance to meet the needs of changing populations requires careful planning and strategic investments. The City has leaned on ISG’s full-service team to pursue projects for their public facilities. Work has included planning and design of a 15,000-square-foot emergency services building and an interior refresh of their 20-year-old public library. ISG is supporting the City through funding processes to bring these efforts to life.

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