Faced with high groundwater and aging infrastructure challenges, the City of Grand Marais desired to improve its failing water and wastewater system throughout its downtown along Lake Superior. The city also wished to improve parking conditions at their municipal lot and on-street parking. JPJ Engineering was procured by the city to identify funding support programs, design efficient utilities, and improve safety between vehicle and pedestrian movements.

Following the successful procurement of funding, the city embarked on a two-million-dollar community enhancement project that included new infrastructure and streetscaping.

Existing parallel parking was reconfigured into angled parking to allow for more on-street parking and calm vehicular speeds. Trees, pedestrian amenities, and decorative paving were added to the new downtown landscape, along with an extensive new street lighting package to bring the city a more vibrant sense of place for businesses, residents, and tourists.

As a result of these improvements, flooding problems have been reduced significantly and the city is pleased with the safer intermixing of vehicle and pedestrian movements throughout key locations in downtown Grand Marais.

Downtown Improvements

Grand Marais, MN

PROJECT EXPERIENCE