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Winner: Southeast Region

Davidson Park

Since 1903, the connection between community and culture has been at the core of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. This spirit is embodied in the new, 4.8-acre Davidson Park at Harley-Davidson’s headquarters in Milwaukee.

Transformed from a parking lot into an immersive public park, the project was a three-year collaboration between Harley-Davidson, the Harley-Davidson Foundation, the Forest County Potawatomi Community, Near West Side Partners, and the surrounding neighborhood.

The park features a sunken, circular design with a central amphitheater called “The Hub.” At its center is a 600-pound steel medallion called the Foundation Stone, designed by a student at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.

The concrete mix used was an exterior, six-bag mix with a mid-range water reducer. Although the concrete mix was common, the project was challenging because every load of concrete had to use the same aggregates, admixtures, and cement throughout the yearlong project. This was critical to ensure the exposed concrete would look the same.

This became a logistical challenge as cement shortages occurred daily during the construction. Communication was crucial between the contractor and concrete supplier to plan and reschedule pours at a moment’s notice to meet the challenge. Those efforts paid off as over 3,000 yards of the exposed concrete were placed at Davidson Park.

Project Team Members

Owner: Harley-Davidson Foundation

Concrete Supplier: Riv/Crete Ready Mix

Engineer: HGA

Contractor: Marriott Construction

Construction Manager: Greenfire Management Services