I have spent my career embracing diversity in the environment, people, computers and food. I believe those who change the world think differently, think broadly and act locally to bring people and resources together for the good of the commons.
Stuart Mizuta is the senior planner in the Chicago office. He brings extensive experience across fields in leading complex ecosystem, bikeways and technical planning projects; bringing together diverse groups to accomplish common goals.
Stuart has worked to build regional bikeways and extensions from 5 to 56 miles long to enhance health, recreation and preserve both natural and cultural resources. He is mission oriented and brings together both knowledge and experience in the fields of landscape architecture, planning, bikeways, curation of oak woodland, reconstructed urban prairie and riparian habitat, technology and culinary arts.
Recent Projects
- Mary Mix McDonald Woods, Glencoe. IL
Set forth a scientific agenda that highlighted the effects of prescribed burning on both plant and animal species living above and below the ground in oak woodland ecosystems. Developed trailside interpretive signage using formative evaluation methods to educate the public on the importance of biodiversity. - Illinois Department of Natural Resources, IL
Mr. Mizuta coordinated a $20 million statewide program to plan and develop 20+ rail-to-trail and bikeways that combined recreation, bicycle trails and the preservation of historic cultural resources. His work involved the Illinois Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Illinois Capital Development Board, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and United States Fish and Wildlife Service. - Lost Bridge Trail - Rochester to Springfield, Sangamon County, IL
As Interagency Coordinator, Mr. Mizuta was responsible for scope development, contracts, design approval and for coordination of the engineering and construction of a 5.0-mile, $1.3 million bicycle/multi-use trail on former B&O Railroad between Rochester and Springfield. The project included 2 bridges: one bridge pier/abutment reconstruction with structure replacement and another rehabilitation/adaptation of an existing truss railroad bridge for trail use. The project presented challenges with handicapped accessibility to a major office building and aesthetic incorporation of the trail into the office’s wooded campus. It also included wetland avoidance, tree replacement, parking facility, bikeway stairway, signage, and roadway crossings. - Illinois & Michigan Canal Bicycle Trail – I-55 to Brandon Road west of Joliet, Will County, IL
As Interagency Coordinator, Mr. Mizuta was responsible for scope development, contracts, design approval and for coordination of the engineering and construction of a $1.6 million, 5.6-mile bike/hike trail on an historic canal towpath between 1-55 and Lock & Dam. The project included an award-winning underpass of I-55 and frontage roads, and an underpass at Larkin Ave/IL 7 (open-cut construction while maintaining traffic on IL 7). - Hennepin Canal State Trail Bikeway – East Moline to Bureau, Henry and Bureau Counties, IL
As Interagency Coordinator, Mr. Mizuta was responsible for scope development, contracts, design approval and for coordination of the engineering and construction of approximately 70 miles of bike trail on the former canal towpath. The project included bridge replacement over the Green River (long clear-span), installation of three railroad underpasses, two underpasses of I-80, aqueduct adaptation (for bicycle/pedestrian use) and limited parking facilities. Challenges included significant soil stabilization problems and towpath bank stabilization, as well as wetland avoidance. The project involved five separate bid packages for more efficient bidding and construction - with a projected construction cost of $12 million.
