SRF Consulting Group Inc., Firms of the Upper Mid-West
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Originating in the Twin Cities and celebrating our 60th anniversary, SRF is a leading consulting firm committed to improving the future of public and private infrastructure systems through a multi-disciplinary approach. SRF's landscape architecture and urban design practice is comprised of two principals and 10 licensed landscape architects. For over 30 years, our client-focused design approach infuses creativity, collaboration, and discovery into an inclusive process. By exploring the unique design opportunities where nature and culture overlap, we create resilient, beautiful, and memorable places that meet the needs of the future.
SRF's award-winning landscape architecture and urban design studio has diverse skills and depth of knowledge. Whether it is developing the strong vision to guide a master plan effort or providing a thoughtful response to the intricacies of site design, SRF's landscape architects provide creative solutions and collaborate with clients and allied professionals to create valued community amenities. By skillfully blending planning, technical, artistic, and environmental elements, SRF excels at delivering clients the broad range of expertise that is demanded of projects of all sizes.
Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead, Bloomington, Minnesota
SRF Consulting Group worked with the City of Bloomington and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to envision an enhanced trailhead to the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge. Frequented by birders, bicyclists, hikers, and student groups, the refuge is one of only a few in the country located near a major urban area. In the first phase of the project, SRF developed plans to restore and repurpose the historic truss bridge spanning Long Meadow Lake for pedestrian and bicycle use. In the next phase, the trailhead design included a new shelter and restroom building, a redesigned parking area, a bicycle hub, and connecting pathways. Minnesota limestone entry signs and benches complement the new building, and pathways are fringed with native plantings selected to attract pollinators. The project area was reopened in the spring of 2020.
Excelsior Boulevard Streetscape, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
For more than 10 years, SRF Consulting Group has worked with the City of St. Louis Park to provide a full range of planning, design, and in-construction services for multiple phases of streetscape improvements along Excelsior Boulevard. These improvements included intersection updates to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety; transit plazas with custom shelters; expanded medians with landscaping, banner poles, and bollards; decorative concrete; new boulevard trees and ornamental street lighting; crosswalks; and traffic signals. The central phase of the project required extensive coordination with the city, Hennepin County, metro transit, and the Excelsior & Grand property developer. Significant public involvement included open houses and individual meetings with property owners along the corridor during the planning and design phases to seek input. During subsequent phases of the project, SRF has continued to provide streetscape design and business owner coordination services in concert with county roadway improvements west of Highway 100, expanding connectivity and the corridor's distinct brand.
Church Street, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Church Street is located in the heart of the University of Minnesota East Bank Campus and functions as the main north-south transportation corridor used by service delivery vehicles, public transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The existing condition of Church Street was a predominantly vehicle-oriented street with standard curb and gutter, stormwater catch basins, and outmoded lighting aesthetics. Pedestrians and bicyclists used the street extensively, but conflicts with vehicle traffic were continually present. In collaboration with a diverse group of University staff, including planning, facilities, operations, traffic, lighting, and landscape maintenance professionals, SRF led the multi-disciplinary design team and facilitated engagement with stakeholders, including student representatives. This process ensured all site improvements would meet University design standards while integrating creative solutions throughout the design process. With over ten campus building main entrances located along the corridor, new outdoor seating added space for students to linger between classes, while bicycle and scooter parking was more than doubled to meet campus demand. New planting areas were added along existing building frontages to minimize lawn maintenance needs while still allowing for some informal lawn seating for students. The transformation of Church Street into a pedestrian and bicycle-oriented corridor has created a new and improved identity for the University of Minnesota's East Bank Campus, serving as a model for how urban college campus streets can be re-envisioned to accommodate the needs of all user groups.
