Palo Verde Ruins

When plans for a 20-acre park revealed the presence of historic and cultural resources, the City of Peoria shifted its vision and hired Hunter Contracting Co. (Hunter) to help develop the smaller, educationally focused Palo Verde Ruins Park.

Hunter provided preconstruction services including an interpretive plan, concept development, constructibility review, value engineering, cost modeling, and phased planning. Construction included a new rip channel, stabilized decomposed granite pathway, post-and-rail fencing, a salvaged pedestrian gate, and replacement of an existing weir with a new concrete split-flow weir.

Working in an archaeologically sensitive area, the team implemented strict mitigation measures and collaborated closely with City staff, inspectors, and archaeologists to preserve the site's cultural integrity. The project was completed on time and within budget.

For its thoughtful design and preservation, the project earned the Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission’s Award in Public Archaeology for a Government Agency.