Kleinfelder Construction Services PR Team Industry Awards
The Kleinfelder Construction Services Public Relations Team was recently recognized with several industry awards. Click the headings below to learn more!
California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) recognized a KCS project at the 2024 EPIC Awards Luncheon. CAPIO’s annual Excellence in Public Information and Communications (EPIC) awards program recognizes the most creative and effective efforts in the areas of communication and marketing campaigns across the state.
KCS award-winning public outreach for OCTA’s $2.16B I-405 Improvement Project is a testament to their expertise in engaging diverse communities. The team led efforts to provide a comprehensive public awareness campaign that spanned seven years, nearing $7.5 million from pre-construction and construction phases. OCTA’s Public Outreach Department Manager, Christina Byrne, commented, “The entire KCS team has exhibited a proactive approach to public outreach that has reliably delivered a superior product within, or below, budget. They have been a pleasure to work with, and I would recommend their services with confidence.”
Key Achievements
The Project team is proud and honored to have received over 20 industry awards for various categories between 2015 and 2024 from CAPIO, PRSA Inland Empire, and Orange County PRSA.
Award-winning categories included:- Communications or Marketing Plans/Campaigns – Consultant-Supported – Public Awareness Campaign
- Video Production – Series – Consultant Supported – Inside the 405 Video Series
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs – 405 Forward Program
- Most Innovative Communications – Geofencing Advertising
- Live Streaming/Live Stories – Virtual Neighborhood Meetings
- Graphic Design – Construction Safety Coloring & Activity Book
- Online Marketing Programs – Interactive Map/Waze Integration
- Special or Community Event, One-time – Groundbreaking Event
These awards highlight the effectiveness of KCS’s multi-faceted outreach program in reaching diverse audiences and keeping them informed throughout the project’s lifecycle.
California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) recognized a KCS project at the 2024 EPIC Awards Luncheon. These awards recognize the most creative and effective efforts throughout the state.
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s (EVMWD) Septic to Sewer Conversion Project, led by KCS, received an EPIC award in the Community Relations/Participation category.
To align with the EVMWD Sewer Master Plan and Groundwater Protection goals, Sedco Hills and Avenues are being transitioned to the EVMWD sewer system in a 2-phased approach over a period of 48 months. To advance to Phase 2, EVMWD needed to obtain 70% percent resident participation from the communities of Sedco Hills and Avenues, which consisted of approximately 1,000 residences and had a high percentage of monolingual Spanish speakers.
As the prime consultant, KCS employed extensive education, outreach, and engagement methods in both English and Spanish to blanket both communities with compelling messaging on the benefits of abandoning their septic system and converting to sewer.
By the Project’s Phase 1 deadline of April 2023, KCS secured 80% property owner interest in Avenues and 75% property owner interest in Sedco Hills, allowing EVMWD to secure the Clean Water State Revolving Fund grant necessary for the Project to advance into Phase 2. KCS is currently conducting outreach to secure right-of-entry forms in preparation of Phase 2 construction.
California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) recognized a KCS project at the 2024 EPIC Awards Luncheon. These awards honor work that transcends innovation and craft — work that made a lasting impact throughout the state.
The City of Encinitas (City) El Portal Pedestrian & Bike Underpass Project, led by KCS, received an Award of Distinction in the Special or Community Event – Recurring category.
The El Portal Bike and Pedestrian Underpass project was funded in part by federal Active Transportation Funds that aimed at providing Safe Routes to School. A key objective of the project was to educate students at Paul Ecke Central Elementary (PEC) to encourage transportation mode shifts from cars to biking and walking while educating students on safe walking and biking behavior.
As the prime consultant, KCS assisted the City with partnering with PEC to disseminate pedestrian safety materials, equipment, and incentives. As part of the safety education, KCS facilitated three Bike on Wednesday Walk on Wednesday (BOW WOW) events and one Bike Rodeo. During the events, the team distributed incentives such as healthy snacks and water bottles to encourage biking and walking to school. Additionally, safety materials were provided to students including the safety handbook and CAOL rail safety.
The opening of the El Portal Pedestrian and Bike Underpass Project encouraged a shift from traditional transportation methods such as cars and buses to more environmentally friendly modes of transportation such as biking, walking, and rolling to school. This shift required a great deal of support and a heavy emphasis on safety and visibility for the students and families of PEC.
The team was able to provide this support to the school through various activities over the course of the school year. To ensure this continued support and our commitment to the safety of PEC staff, students and families, our team has ordered additional safety equipment and incentives that can be used to facilitate these types of events for years to come.
The Public Relations Society of America Inland Empire (PRSA-IE) recognized a KCS project at the 2023 Phantom of Polaris Awards Gala. These awards recognize exemplary public relations efforts that represent the highest standards in public relations and communications within the Inland Empire.
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s (EVMWD) Septic to Sewer Conversion Project, led by KCS, received a Polaris award in the Community Relations Campaign category.
To align with the EVMWD Sewer Master Plan and Groundwater Protection goals, Sedco Hills and Avenues are being transitioned to the EVMWD sewer system in a 2-phased approach over a period of 48 months. To advance to Phase 2, EVMWD needed to obtain 70% percent resident participation from the communities of Sedco Hills and Avenues, which consisted of approximately 1,000 residences and had a high percentage of monolingual Spanish speakers.
As the prime consultant, KCS employed extensive education, outreach, and engagement methods in both English and Spanish to blanket both communities with compelling messaging on the benefits of abandoning their septic system and converting to sewer.
By the Project’s Phase 1 deadline of April 2023, KCS secured 80% property owner interest in Avenues and 75% property owner interest in Sedco Hills, allowing EVMWD to secure the Clean Water State Revolving Fund grant necessary for the Project to advance into Phase 2.
The Public Relations Society of America San Diego and Imperial Counties (PRSA SD/IC) recognized a KCS project at the 2023 Bernays Mark of Excellence Awards. These awards recognize the hard work of the region’s PR teams who set the standard as leaders and mentors in a competitive field.
The City of Encinitas (City) El Portal Pedestrian & Bike Underpass Project, led by KCS, received both a Silver Excellence Award in the Community Relations, Government category and a Bronze Excellence Award in the Collateral category.
The El Portal Bike and Pedestrian Underpass project was funded in part by federal Active Transportation Funds that aimed at providing Safe Routes to School. A key objective of the project was to educate students at Paul Ecke Central Elementary (PEC) to encourage transportation mode shifts from cars to biking and walking while educating students on safe walking and biking behavior.
As the prime consultant, KCS assisted the City with partnering with PEC to disseminate pedestrian safety materials, equipment, and incentives. The outreach team developed a localized program, using grant funds at PEC, and provided the school with the tools to sustain this safety program for future school years. This allows PEC to teach their staff, teachers, and parents to safely navigate through the underpass.
The opening of the El Portal Pedestrian and Bike Underpass Project encouraged a shift from traditional transportation methods such as cars and buses to more environmentally friendly modes of transportation such as biking, walking, and rolling to school. This shift required a great deal of support and a heavy emphasis on safety and visibility for the students and families of PEC.
The team was able to provide this support to the school through various activities over the course of the school year. To ensure this continued support and our commitment to the safety of PEC staff, students and families, our team has ordered additional safety equipment and incentives that can be used to facilitate these types of events for years to come.
