Work examples and experience
Reimagining Sixth Ave. W and Reconnecting the Downtown Mobility Network
(Rochester, Minnesota) Wiggen Consulting is working as a subconsultant to Toole Design and with the City of Rochester reimagine Sixth Avenue West and reconnect the downtown mobility network as downtown Rochester experiences transformational change. Sixth Ave. W is an important corridor that will connect the new Mayo campus with neighborhoods to the west. This project seeks to address two unique opportunities that the BFUiR presents. First, the opportunity to reimagine Sixth Avenue West in its post construction state – as a key mobility connector. Second is the opportunity to reconnect the downtown mobility network. Liz is leading communications and community engagement strategy and coordination. This includes in-person and virtual community engagement events as well a business outreach and project communications.
Every Child and Family Thrive Initiative
(Rochester, Minnesota) Wiggen Consulting is working with Olmsted County Child and Family Services on a community/county collaborative. The goal is to bring invested organizations and individuals together to explore new opportunities and actions so that every child and family in Olmsted County can thrive regardless of background or circumstance. By using a Systems of Care framework and the Five Protective Factors to frame what “thrive” means, Liz is helping lead this new initiative using Strategic Doing and the community impact model. This means breaking down hierarchies and silos to instead create new collaborative networks and share resources for a common cause. Stay tuned for more updates as the project evolves.
Olmsted County Customer Feedback and Community Outreach
(Rochester, Minnesota) Wiggen Consulting worked with Olmsted County Child and Family Services (CFS) to create their first-ever comprehensive community outreach and customer feedback program. CFS’s goal is to provide the community with a fuller understanding of CFS and to collect/analyze feedback for continuous improvement. Liz worked collaboratively with CFS leadership and their Community Engagement Workgroup to create new communications that emphasize transparency and human-centeredness. She led the team in creating, implementing and analyzing their first-ever customer feedback survey and feedback loop plan. She also helped CFS create their first-ever community outreach plan including approach and materials to meet their goal of better connecting with the people they serve and reducing barriers to services. CFS has already started implementing some of the actions that came directly from the customer feedback survey and are building on this work with deeper engagement.
New Nicollet Redevelopment Project
(Minneapolis, Minnesota) While working at Zan Associates, Liz was the Phase II Community Engagement Coordinator for City of Minneapolis’ New Nicollet Redevelopment Project. Liz worked collaboratively with City of Minneapolis planners, Community-based organizations and other firms to plan, develop, implement and evaluate community engagement in order to get community input on New Nicollet Street and Development designs. This work included communication planning, pop-up and open house planning and a community survey.
Robert Street Reconstruction
(St. Paul, Minnesota) While working at Zan Associates, Liz was the community engagement manager for this downtown Saint Paul project. She worked collaboratively with the City of Saint Paul, downtown businesses and residents, and other firms. Liz developed meaningful opportunities for stakeholders to give input and for the city to share updates through a community feedback loop. This work included communications planning, business outreach, a community survey, pop-up events and open houses.
First Avenue S. Reconstruction
(Minneapolis, Minnesota) While working at Zan Associates, Liz was the community engagement manager and led a majority of the First Avenue community engagement efforts. Liz worked with the city, other firms, and community partners to create opportunities for the community to learn about the project and give feedback on design concepts. This work included coordinating the creation of an informational video, planning a community picnic, place-based surveys and open houses.