Primera is pleased to announce that our Goethe Elementary Sustainable Schoolyard project was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers Illinois Section (ASCE-IL) with the Sustainability in Civil Engineering Achievement Award. The award was handed out at the organization’s 98^th Annual Dinner last night at U.S. Cellular Field. The featured speaker and host for the evening was former White Sox outfielder and Vice President of the Bulls/Sox Academy, Michael Huff.

Each year, ASCE-IL recognizes project achievements in civil engineering by Northern Illinois firms. Entries in this category are judged on the extent to which innovative design or construction methods improve economic, social and environmental sustainability; the promise shown by the innovation to extend future developments in sustainability; as well as the degree to which the project extends public understanding of sustainability in construction.

At Goethe, Primera was responsible for the overall project implementation, specifically the civil site, plumbing and electrical design, as well as stormwater permitting and overall coordination with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Primera delivered a new sustainable schoolyard that features an enhanced natural turf play area, playgrounds, ADA curb ramps, ADA parking spaces, rain gardens, a rainwater harvesting system with a cistern, permeable pavement areas, and a bio-infiltration system. Due to the project’s success, Primera’s final design is being used as a model for other Chicago Public Schools of similar size looking to utilize similar grant funding.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by ASCE-IL for this project,” said Russ Pozen, Primera’s site civil engineering lead and project manager for the Goethe project. “The exciting thing about this schoolyard is that it not only included a sustainable design, but also added a learning element and provides value to the community,” he continued. Making the sustainable elements visible to the public allowed the community to learn about rainwater harvesting, permeable pavement, and other sustainable design elements along with their respective benefits.

Additionally, Primera’s transportation planning and studies lead Charlie Frangos was on hand to accept the ASCE-IL Public Involvement Award on behalf of ASCE-IL’s Transportation and Development Institute (T&DI). The award is presented to an ASCE-IL member group of two or more individuals for volunteer efforts that have made a positive impact and overall contribution for the betterment of our world. As outgoing Chair of T&DI, Charlie is joined on the board by Primera’s roadway lead Andy Walton and project engineer Frank Zurek.

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 145,000 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. The organization’s mission is to provide essential value to their members and partners, advance civil engineering, and serve the public good. Founded in 1916, the Illinois Section represents Civil Engineers in northern Illinois.