City’s Public Works Agency Receives Two Awards

The City is proud to announce that its Public Works Agency has recently received two awards recognizing its leadership in public works and environmental stewardship. The City’s new Evanston Animal Shelter was awarded the Public Works Project of the Year in the Structures: $5 Million to $25 Million category by the American Public Works Association (APWA) Chicago Metro Chapter, while the City was also named the 2026 Salt Smart Community Award winner by The Conservation Foundation.

Public Works Project of the Year

The APWA Public Works Project of the Year Award recognizes projects that demonstrate outstanding innovation, design, and construction excellence in the public works field. The Evanston Animal Shelter project was selected for its comprehensive approach to modernizing a deteriorating 1970s facility into a resilient, future-ready public asset. The award highlights projects that positively impact communities, enhance public safety and health, and advance sustainable infrastructure practices.

Evanston Animal Shelter features highlighted by the organization include:

• Expanded medical isolation areas and indoor/outdoor kennels for long-term animal care

• Enrichment spaces and adoption areas to foster community engagement

• A fully electric, LEED-aligned design integrating sustainable energy, stormwater management, and bird-friendly features

This project was made possible through two key partners: Cook County, which contributed $2.85 million in exchange for assistance with housing impounded animals, and the Evanston Animal Shelter Association (EASA), which is raising $1 million toward the project. In addition to operating a no-kill shelter, EASA runs a foster program, animal food pantry, senior support services, an on-site spay/neuter, and free vaccination clinics.

Salt Smart Community Award

Awarded earlier this year, the Salt Smart Community Award honors Evanston for its leadership in reducing road salt usage without compromising winter safety. By adopting innovative Salt Smart Practices, Evanston has minimized environmental impacts while keeping streets and sidewalks safe.

“Receiving the 2026 Salt Smart Award is an honor,” said Edgar Cano, Director of Public Works. “It reflects the dedication of our staff and our commitment to protecting waterways and improving operations for the benefit of current and future generations. Our partnerships with The Conservation Foundation and the Chicago Area Waterways Chloride Workgroup have been invaluable in turning ideas into measurable environmental impacts.”

Hanna Miller, Watershed Project Manager at The Conservation Foundation, added, “Evanston is an exemplary role model, sharing knowledge with other communities and continually innovating to improve winter operations.”

Both awards highlight Evanston’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in public service.