Moving Forward 13-21 Construction

MnDOT + Scott County + Prior Lake
Construction Communications (April 2019-July 2020)

Project Description

Bolton & Menk led an innovative and comprehensive public engagement effort on the County Highway (CH) 21 and State Highway (TH) 13 in Downtown Prior Lake project with Scott County, Prior Lake, and MnDOT. Our team used various outreach formats during design, including a Corridor Visioning Group, pop-up meetings, parade flyers, presentations to organized groups and high school students, and more traditional formats such as open houses, newsletters, website, and social media.

After final design was complete, Bolton & Menk was chosen to represent the Prior Lake and Scott County as the community liaison during construction or the County Highway 21 project. This also included MnDOT’s Highway 13 Reconstruction project, a four-mile stretch of Highway 13 south of County Highway 21. Both projects were poised in high-traffic areas with a mix of both business and residential stakeholders.

As the community liaison, Bolton & Menk had a number of tasks during construction, including managing a project hotline and email, creating maps, attending weekly meetings, and writing weekly updates. Bolton & Menk also met with businesses both in downtown and in the business park off Highway 13 on several occasions to update owners on staging and upcoming impacts.

Like any construction project, there were a number of unforeseen situations that delayed schedule and altered original messaging. With over 735 Facebook followers and 1,500 email and text subscribers, the project team was able to deliver timely, transparent communication helped build understanding and patience during construction, especially during unforeseen situations.

This up-front communication with project stakeholders and the community helped build understanding and trust throughout the project.

Ask the Client

“The quality and frequency of communication through the work has created a huge positive for our community. While the challenges are present, the rapid response the community receives….coupled with the quality communication has demonstrated to everyone that the City and County care. We are being extended the “benefit of the doubt” on many levels because of the communication and personal presence you have brought to our town. Thank you.”

-Kirt Briggs Mayor City of Prior Lake