Winter 2025 – KEM in the News
KEM in the News
MANSFIELD — The heart of downtown Mansfield is set to transform as the city’s streetscape project inches closer to its construction phase. With a contract expected to be awarded in December, excitement is mounting for a project years in the making. A collaboration between the City of Mansfield and K.E. McCartney and Associates (KEM), the streetscape project aims to enhance walkability, improve safety and foster an inviting downtown atmosphere for both residents and visitors.
“The first discussions about this project date back to around 2018,” Mayor Jodie Perry said. “Over the years, it evolved significantly, shaped by feedback from the community and stakeholders. We wanted to make sure it was a project the community could rally behind, even if that took extra time.”
With its upgraded pedestrian paths, new plaza spaces and landscaping elements, the project is designed to revitalize Mansfield’s downtown corridor. Engineering experts from KEM, city officials and local utilities are working in unison to ensure the project is both meticulously planned and minimally disruptive for Mansfield’s residents and business owners.
Project timeline and coordination
To maintain efficiency and minimize disruption, the project will proceed in planned phases. Construction bids were reviewed, and the contract is scheduled to be awarded to the apparent low bidder, Kokosing Construction Company, Inc.
“Once the contractor is selected, we’ll schedule a preconstruction meeting to establish the start date and construction specifics,” city engineer Bob Bianchi said. “This project has a lot of moving parts, so we need everyone on the same page.”
The initial phase includes a critical step: utility relocations. Currently, there is an entire corridor of utilities that needs to be moved to make way for the new sidewalks and plaza areas. This may cause lane closures and/or detours in the near future.
To help ease traffic during construction and to start becoming familiar with the new, faster route through town, the city encourages motorists to use Mulberry Street.
Improving safety and pedestrian flow
The streetscape project will bring substantial improvements to the downtown’s pedestrian infrastructure, an area that has faced wear and tear over the years.
“Walkways have cracked, tree grates and light poles have broken up the walking paths,” KEM Director of Transportation Engineering Jason Burgholder said. “This project is a major upgrade; it’s about making downtown accessible and inviting.”
Once complete, Mansfield’s sidewalks will provide continuous walking paths, free from obstacles.
The plaza areas, in particular, are set to become vibrant gathering places for the community. These are meant to be destinations where people feel safe and relaxed.
“There will be wider walkways, landscaping buffers and curb walls that create a sense of separation from the traffic, inviting people to sit, eat or just take in the surroundings,” KEM transportation project manager Jeremy Lay said.
Supporting local businesses during construction
The city recognizes construction will temporarily affect downtown businesses, and steps are being taken to mitigate any disruptions. Perry said the city is committed to working closely with business owners.
“We want to ensure businesses feel supported throughout the process,” she said. “We are partnering with Downtown Mansfield Inc. (DMI) to host a Communications Specialist who will be in direct communication with the merchants and tenants, organize timelines and offer resources to help keep customers coming through their doors.”
Currently, DMI is accepting applications for the public outreach coordinator position.
For delivery trucks, specific loading zones will be designated to maintain access to businesses, even during busier construction phases.
“We’ll keep one side of the sidewalk open at all times so people can still navigate the area, and delivery zones will be set up for trucks to ensure smooth operation for businesses,” Lay said.
Bringing the vision to life
The streetscape project’s total budget has been carefully allocated, thanks to funding and grants secured through state and local partnerships.
“Downtown Mansfield has waited a long time for improvements like these. It’s not just about aesthetics — it’s about creating a space where residents feel proud to be, and where visitors feel welcome,” Perry said.
The final stretch
As the construction start date nears, city officials, community leaders and KEM engineers are eager to see years of planning finally take shape.
“The downtown streetscape project has been part of the Mansfield Rising Plan since 2019, and to see it come to fruition is both exciting and rewarding,” KEM President Brian McCartney said. “As stated in the plan Main Street serves as an urban artery and is an instrumental corridor to the downtown street network. New businesses located on Main Street have increased the pedestrian traffic. As Main Street increasingly becomes a place for pedestrians, the streetscape needs to accommodate them as a mode of traffic. The existing streetscape was installed 43 years ago and has outlived its design life. Sidewalks and streetscape bricks have heaved and settled; they are unsightly trip hazards.”
“The street lighting is outdated, and the curbs have deteriorated. The streetscape in its current state does not represent the Mansfield community. Design features will incorporate the history and heritage of Mansfield coupled with modern amenities. We feel this project has met these objectives and I’m proud of our staff for all the hard work they’ve put into it. I’m also very thankful to Mansfield for the opportunity to partner with them on such an important infrastructure improvement and as a downtown business owner couldn’t be more optimistic about the future of our City.”
The Mansfield streetscape project is scheduled to begin construction in early 2025, with phases rolling out over the year. The new downtown will emerge over time, revealing a rejuvenated Main Street, designed for both beauty and functionality.
“When people see the before and after, they’ll understand why this investment is necessary,” Burgholder said. “Downtown is the heart of our community, and it should reflect our pride and commitment to Mansfield’s future. “To learn more about K.E. McCartney and Associates, visit its website.
SHELBY — Dr. Greg Bookwalter credited Dr. Brennan Skulski’s leadership as the reason the orthodontics office won a Richland Area Chamber small business of the year award Tuesday.
“I would have never got this award,” he said. “I told Dr. Skulski when he joined me a few years ago that he’s a better businessman than I was and will ever be.
“So congratulations to Dr. Skulski and thank you for this honor.”
The Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development awarded Bookwalter & Skulski Orthodontics and K.E. McCartney & Associates, Inc. Small Business of the Year awards at the 27th annual ceremony at the Kehoe Center on Tuesday.
Chamber President and CEO Ellen Heinz said among nine businesses recognized at the event, together they employ more than 200 people and generate more than $10 million in revenue.
“I want to thank each of you for investing in our community and helping make this such a wonderful place to live, work and play,” Heinz said. “Thank you for the blood, sweat, money and tears that you put into your businesses every day.
“Thank you for investing in our future and all that you do.”
This year’s Small Business of the Year awards was the first without Norbert Peiker, the former chamber board chair who helped create the Small Business of the Year awards. He passed away earlier this year.
While Heinz has only been the chamber president and CEO since March, she worked with Peiker about 16 years ago while in Richland County.
“Norbert has left an enduring legacy of supporting small businesses,” Heinz said. “We would not be here if it worked for Norbert’s vision for this awards ceremony.”
K.E. McCartney & Associates, Inc. won the Small Business of the Year award in the 15+ employees category. The two other finalists were ES Consulting and Southern Title of Ohio, Ltd.
Bookwalter & Skulski Orthodontics won in the 14-and-fewer employees category. The two other finalists were the Eichinger Brafford McClead Group (Merrill Lynch Wealth Management) and Local Project Pro.
Heinz said a committee judged nominees in areas of employee practices, community involvement, customer service, entrepreneurship and overall business performance.
K.E. McCartney & Associates
Kenneth E. McCartney, a Korean War veteran, founded the engineering firm in 1978 with a focus on civil engineering services that uphold quality standards and environmental stewardship.
The company’s mission is to provide quality civil engineering and surveying services through clear communication, innovative solutions and efficient work, according to its website.
Brian McCartney, president and owner of the firm, took over the business in 1994 with help from his siblings Ken — now vice president and co-owner – and Val.
“After dad passed, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to him and to the employees working for us at the time to do my best to keep the business running,” Brian said. “We made a go of it, and haven’t looked back.”
Brian McCartney accepted the award on behalf of his family and team.
“We have 58 men and women employed at KEM, each of whom I consider to be part of our family,” he said. “It’s an honor to provide services to all the communities in Richland County. It is truly my hope that we’ve made a difference not only through our engineering services, but our community service as well.”
“I can’t express enough how proud I am of our team and the work we do,” Brian McCartney said. “I think what makes us different is we’re not profit-driven, we’re purpose-driven. At our core, we care more about our clear communication, quality of services, community engagement and client satisfaction.
“I truly believe as long as we continue to make this our primary focus, our profits will take care of themselves.”
Bookwalter & Skulski Orthodontics
Dr. Brennan Skulski said most of the orthodontist’s customers are teenagers and about 20% are adults.
“I just like having fun with the kids and talking to them about their day,” he said. “That’s honestly the best part of my day is just getting to know them.
Skulski joined Bookwalter’s practice in 2019 and bought the business in 2021. Both doctors operate out of the Cline Avenue office.
Skulski thanked Dr. Bookwalter, each of his employees, and his wife Lizzy at Tuesday’s ceremony.
“I want to start by saying I was so happy and kind of speechless finding out we were nominated, and to be a finalist — wow,” he said.
“I’d like to thank the community that raised me and that was the perfect place to come back to. I like to think that we increase the confidence of our patients when they get their finished smile, but I owe gratitude to the people who trusted me to take care of them or their child. Their support is something I’ll never take for granted.”
Skulski also thanked Bookwalter for establishing the culture of the practice and for being his mentor.
“He’s a great orthodontist, there’s no denying that and a great mentor,” Skulski said. “Dr. Bookwalter had already established the culture of always doing what is right for the patient.
“He pretty much taught me everything I know about running a business. I was the luckiest ortho resident to be introduced to him way back when.”
Both KEM and Bookwalter & Skulski Orthodontics are nominated for the national U.S. Chamber of Commerce small business awards through their wins locally.
Also at Tuesday’s ceremony, the chamber presented the large nonprofit of the year award to The Friendly House, the small Nonprofit of the Year award to Rubies Women’s Group, and the Entrepreneurial Spirit award to Allison Pence Art.
For-Profit Semifinalists included: Bob & Bob Door Company, Clothes Mentor, Custom Control, DECA Manufacturing, EZ Suite Management, Ideal Electric, Kimmy’s Cucina, Laurence’s Towing, McCready Interiors/Norwalk The Furniture Idea, Miller’s Jewelry & Repair, Olive & Oak, Pinnacle Building Services, RLB CPAs, Inc., Shelby/Mansfield KOA and Studio 19 Salon & Spa.
Medical Mutual was the presenting sponsor of the 2024 awards and Mechanics Bank was the video sponsor. Premier sponsors included Alumni Roofing Co, DRM Productions Inc, OhioHealth Mansfield and Shelby Hospitals, Park National Bank and Richland Source.
To learn more about the finalists for Small Business of the Year, visit the Richland Area Chamber’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
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