Steen Engineering earns Top Projects nod for two Twin Cities affordable housing developments

Steen Engineering was named to Finance & Commerce’s Top Projects of 2025 for its MEP work on Opportunity Crossing in Minneapolis and The Juniper in Maplewood. The recognition spotlights two affordable-housing projects that leaned on sustainability, community input and complex construction challenges.

Why it matters: - The recognition puts a Minneapolis MEP firm in the spotlight for work on two affordable-housing projects that were designed to serve very different community needs. - The award also highlights how engineering choices can shape affordability, sustainability and long-term building performance.

What happened: - Steen Engineering was named to Finance & Commerce’s Top Projects of 2025 for its work on Opportunity Crossing in Minneapolis and The Juniper in Maplewood. - Finance & Commerce published the list in its July 24, 2026 special section. - An independent panel of judges selected 50 projects based on degree of difficulty, design creativity, innovative construction techniques, cooperation among project teams and sustainability.

The details: - Opportunity Crossing is a six-story, 180,000-square-foot mixed-use development at 3030 Nicollet Ave. in Minneapolis. - Project for Pride in Living owns Opportunity Crossing. - Design by Melo designed the project. - Weis Builders and Tri-Construction built the project. - WSB handled civil engineering. - Steen Engineering provided mechanical engineering. - Opportunity Crossing includes 110 income-restricted apartments. - The ground floor has four commercial units structured for purchase rather than lease. - The ownership model is intended to give local entrepreneurs a path to ownership on the Nicollet Avenue corridor. - Steen Engineering’s mechanical design includes a Darcy geothermal heating and cooling system. - The geothermal system was integrated midway through construction. - Opportunity Crossing also includes a stormwater management system that meets an estimated 70% of the building’s non-potable water demand. - The system conserves roughly 330,000 gallons of potable water annually. - The Juniper is a 65-unit affordable housing community in Maplewood’s Gladstone neighborhood. - JB Vang developed The Juniper. - UrbanWorks Architecture designed The Juniper around multigenerational-family needs. - The building offers two-, three- and four-bedroom homes for households earning 30%, 50% and 60% of Area Median Income. - Steen Engineering provided engineering services alongside BKBM Engineers. - The design was shaped by direct engagement with the neighborhood’s Hmong community. - Flannery Construction built The Juniper. - The Juniper was delivered on schedule despite 44 weather-delay days and unexpected site remediation. - The Juniper meets SB2030, B3 and Minnesota Green Communities sustainability standards.

Between the lines: - The two projects show how affordable housing is increasingly tied to broader goals like energy efficiency, water conservation and community-based design. - Opportunity Crossing’s ownership-focused storefronts suggest a development model aimed at neighborhood wealth-building, not just housing supply. - The Juniper’s schedule performance stands out because it overcame weather delays and remediation while still meeting green-building targets. - Kurt Smith, vice president and principal at Steen Engineering, said the work reflected a team-based process built on trust and long-term relationships.

What’s next: - Steen Engineering said it will keep pursuing projects across multiple markets, including sustainable design, geothermal engineering, central plant engineering and standby power. - The firm directs readers to more information about its work and awards. - Steen Engineering also lists additional company information at its website.

The bottom line: - Steen Engineering’s award shows how technical design can influence both the economics and the impact of affordable housing in the Twin Cities.