Aurora RiverEdge Park Redevelopment

RiverEdge Park is Aurora’s outdoor live music and events venue along North Broadway and the Fox River, serving as a major cultural anchor on the northern edge of downtown. David Mason + Associates (DMA) provided civil and structural engineering services for this renovation and redevelopment project in collaboration with RATIO Architects. This completed phase II project includes a new south gate entrance, beverage pavilion, skydeck, restrooms, and expanded back‑of‑house facilities. Park improvements increased visitor capacity by approximately 2,500 people, raising overall attendance to about 7,000 for events and 6,500 for concerts. The expanded seating and viewing areas also increased the developed footprint from roughly 7,000 SF to approximately 24,000 SF.

DMA’s civil engineering services included site and utility demolition, geometric and utility design, ADA accessibility, and stormwater drainage coordination with grading and irrigation layout. Additional services included erosion control plans, local permitting support, and construction oversight, along with coordination across existing utilities and infrastructure throughout the phased construction effort. Structural engineering services included design for the entry gate and canopy, the masonry facilities building, the precast beverage pavilion, and the back‑of‑house structure featuring composite steel framing and bar‑joist roof systems. Structural work also included retaining wall design, associated ramp/slab/foundation work, and coordination with architectural and landscape elements to support the park’s expanded program.

The completed improvements advance the long‑term vision for RiverEdge Park, delivering a revitalized public space that strengthens community connection and elevates the visitor experience along Aurora’s riverfront.