When Bloomington, Ill., Public Works Director Jim Karch watches his pennies for a whole year, he saves on average $250,000. But it’s not really his money; it belongs to Bloomington because Karch, PE, MPA, oversaw a successful merger of the … Continue reading →
Dardanelle, Ark., is a historic city that lies on the banks of the Arkansas River and this year added to its history when a flood of historic proportions overcame the city at the end of May. Mayor Jimmy Witt … Continue reading →
Many progressive municipalities, like Waterbury, Conn., are giving renewed life to previously industrial brownfields, turning them into brightfields or cleaned up spaces that residents want to visit. These often toxic barren grounds all over the nation are home to decaying, … Continue reading →
When disaster hits a community and an SOS call goes out, generally the problem is not a lack of response but rather an overwhelming response of volunteers and donations. For mayors and other city officials trying to put their communities … Continue reading →
Though the time for “spring” cleaning is long past, there are still debris-littered hedgerows and various items of refuse and trash in municipalities that periodically will need to be cleaned up. Two cities featured here have taken the lead and … Continue reading →
In 2017, Lewis County in Washington faced a difficult task. A road along the Cowlitz River was experiencing extreme erosion thanks to the body of water’s wild and unpredictable nature. As the road began to wash away, multiple cabins in … Continue reading →
In becoming environmentally aware, cities are taking steps in every department to minimize the negative impact they can make on the planet. Moscow, Idaho, in particular, has uniquely supportive government when it comes to taking risks with new things that … Continue reading →
With China no longer importing plastic from the U.S. and environmental awareness spreading, states are experimenting with ideas to cut down on the garbage piling up. Last year the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned the rest of … Continue reading →
The existence of fats, oil and grease buildup in sewer lines can be disastrous for both individuals and the city when it comes to short- and long-term consequences. Consequences can range from a costly and pungent inconvenience to an expensive, … Continue reading →
As the city of Santa Clarita, Calif., looks toward its future, the department of public works knows that transportation needs to be at the forefront. Last year, the city finished several different award-winning projects, all related to a different type … Continue reading →
According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as of April 2019, 388 communities across the U.S. and the District of Columbia use red light cameras for traffic enforcement, but that doesn’t mean the practice is spreading nationwide … Continue reading →
