Exploring Innovation: ECI’s Shane McFadden to Lead A-Mill Hydro Project Tour at NHA Midwest Regional Meeting
A Historic Landmark with a Modern Purpose
The Pillsbury A-Mill, once the world’s largest flour mill, has stood as a Minneapolis landmark for over a century. Built in 1881, it originally harnessed the power of the Mississippi River with cutting-edge (for its time) waterwheel technology. Today, this historic site has been transformed into a 600-kW hydroelectric facility, blending history and modern engineering in a remarkable adaptive reuse project.
ECI played a key role in this transformation, leading the design-build rehabilitation of the mill’s original hydromechanical power infrastructure. The project required navigating stringent historical preservation requirements while constructing new intake structures, penstocks, and a Kaplan turbine system—all within the historic limestone tunnels of the mill.
A Highlighted Tour at the 2025 NHA Midwest Regional Meeting
As part of the 2025 NHA Midwest Regional Meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in multiple site tours showcasing hydroelectric innovation across the region. One of these tours will feature the A-Mill Hydro Project, led by ECI’s CEO, Shane McFadden. Hosted by the Midwest Hydro Users Group (MHUG), this tour will offer a rare inside look at the engineering feats that made this hydroelectric revitalization possible.
Attendees will gain insight into:
The challenges of integrating hydroelectric infrastructure into a historic structure
The innovative engineering solutions used to rehabilitate the mill’s tunnels and intake structures
The importance of hydroelectric power in sustainable urban development
This is just one of the exciting tour options available to conference attendees, offering a deeper understanding of hydroelectric advancements in the Midwest.
Join the Tours at the 2025 NHA Midwest Regional Meeting
Interested in seeing how modern hydroelectric innovation meets historical preservation? Be sure to explore the various tours available at the 2025 NHA Midwest Regional Meeting, including this exclusive inside look at the A-Mill Hydro Project.
🔗 Learn more and register here: NHA Midwest Regional Meeting
ECI is proud to be part of projects that blend engineering ingenuity with sustainability and history, and we look forward to sharing this journey with you.
About ECI
ECI is a premier engineering and construction firm specializing in geotechnical construction, water resources infrastructure, hydro/marine construction, specialty construction, and tunnels & shafts. For 25 years, we’ve delivered high-quality, sustainable solutions tailored to our clients’ unique needs. Learn more about our Leadership Team and our Mission, Vision & Values in the About section.