City of Hartford

The City of Hartford’s partnership with ISG began during preliminary design for its wastewater treatment facility. Understanding the area was experiencing regional growth, ISG worked with City leaders to think beyond immediate needs and consider scalable, long-term solutions. That forward-thinking approach, paired with consistent communication and support, built trust and led Hartford to appoint ISG as their City Engineer.

Working now as an extension of City staff, ISG collaborates with City staff and elected officials to help them make informed decisions that maximize the value and longevity of public investments. From infrastructure upgrades to quality-of-life enhancements, Hartford is laying the foundation for sustainable growth and a stronger community identity in a fast-growing region.

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Key Takeaways

• Appointed City Engineer, working as an extension of staff
• Developed a regional vision to support industry, housing, and tax base expansion
• Designed wastewater facility to handle aggressive growth
• Upgraded transportation infrastructure to improve safety and support commerce
• Modernized utility systems to reduce risk and enable development
• Advanced parks planning and sidewalk initiatives to enhance connectivity, recreation, and quality of life
• Recognized by the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance
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Project Highlights

Hartford Water Resource Recovery Facility

The City needed a design partner to help them meet wastewater treatment compliance timelines. They received various proposals for solutions based on conservative population estimates. Through conversations with ISG and community leaders, the City chose a regional lens and forward-thinking approach to support future regional growth goals. Working with ISG, the City created a new wastewater treatment facility that meets Hartford’s immediate needs and positions the region for industrial and residential expansion.

During the project, ISG remained a resource to the City Council and staff through technical decisions and public meetings, also providing communication tools to help build consensus during leadership transitions. The new facility gives Hartford the capacity to welcome new residents, businesses, and industries. By designing for regional growth, the City secured its long-term economic potential and strengthened its tax base.

View The Project Website ISG Helped Create >

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Western Avenue Interchange Reconstruction

Western Avenue was once a rural County Road, and as Hartford expanded it became a vital commercial corridor. Heavy traffic and business accessibility demanded a safe, modern roadway design. In conjunction with, South Dakota Department of Transportation's (SDDOT) Exit 387 project, ISG designed an urban roadway section for Western Avenue from Mickelson Road to Diamond Trail.

Careful phasing minimized disruption for businesses and residents while improving overall traffic flow. The reconstructed major roadway to the community enhances safety, commercial activity, and the community’s critical infrastructure backbone.

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Community Development Plan

Facing rapid population growth, the City and the Hartford Area Development Foundation partnered with ISG to create a Community Development Plan that preserves the community’s small-town character while strategically guiding future growth. Through extensive collaboration with local organizations and residents, ISG led visioning sessions, concept development, and plan recommendations addressing housing, infrastructure, parks, and economic development. The resulting plan provided a clear roadmap for aligning public and private investment, promoting coordinated growth, and inspiring early implementation as evidenced by development activity before the Plan’s adoption in 2022.

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Utility Improvements

Aging infrastructure and limited water system connections were creating reliability issues and constrained development. The City and ISG delivered essential utility improvements that, while not flashy, were foundational. They provided residents with reliable services, reduced maintenance costs, and prepared Hartford for future development on the east and west sides. A few recent projects include:

• Highway 38 Watermain Extension to loop the water system and reduce service vulnerabilities.
• 6th Street + Mundt Avenue Reconstruction to replace aging watermain, sanitary sewer, and pavement in a core residential neighborhood.

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Parks Master Planning

Hartford’s rapid growth provided an opportunity to consider the future of their parks. Working with the City, ISG documented current parks and amenities, reviewed growth areas, and created recommendations for improvements. The resulting Plan serves to enhance Hartford’s quality of life by providing a realistic framework for recreation improvements that keeps pace with growth.

Investments in walkability and modern amenities were outlined to strengthen community identity, attract families, and support residential development. Recommendations include diversifying park types, from pocket parks to community-scale complexes, and providing future recommendations for parkland dedication within developments.

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Ongoing Municipal Engineering Services

With a population of 3,300 and proximity to Sioux Falls, Hartford faces continuous development pressure. City leaders needed a proactive partner to review site plans, manage drainage, and align new projects with community standards. As their City Engineer, ISG coordinates with City staff and Council to provide these solutions as well as engineering studies, development reviews, and strategic guidance. Candid communication, clear expectations, and close collaboration are hallmarks of this relationship.

As a result of this partnership, Hartford faces rapid growth with confidence. This ongoing collaboration allows the City to make informed decisions, protect infrastructure investments, and capture opportunities tied to regional development.