New Community Childcare Center Emergency Operations Center & 911 Call Center Police Headquarters Building Renovation New Downtown Parking Structures New Church Building New Church Fellowship Hall Historic Railroad Depot Restoration/Flood Mitigation New Public Library Building New Conservation Education Center New Community Childcare Center Emergency Operations Center & 911 Call Center Police Headquarters Building Renovation New Downtown Parking Structures New Church Building New Church Fellowship Hall Historic Railroad Depot Restoration/Flood Mitigation New Public Library Building New Conservation Education Center

Civic Construction for Public Facilities and Community Life

Civic Know-How

Washington Free Public Library included adaptive reuse of multiple downtown buildings.

We plan and build civic facilities with an emphasis on budget, schedule, and constructability—so the finished space serves residents well.

  • Master Planning;
  • Design and Pre-Construction
  • New Facilities;
  • Additions and Renovations;
  • and more.

The Carl A. Nelson & Company team brings expertise and dedication to every project. With a focus on budget, schedule, and constructability, we build spaces that promote quality of life for individuals and communities. 

Building Trust

The Burlington Police Department renovated a former bank building for its new station.

Carl A. Nelson & Company doesn’t just build structures; we build trust and lasting relationships with our clients. We achieve this by:

  • Caring About Your Success
  • Providing Consistent Project Leadership
  • Valuing Our Partnership with You
  • Taking Time to Understand Your Needs
  • Engaging with Company Leadership
  • Putting Safety First

This approach produces strong projects and long-term partnerships.

Delivering Value

Historic brick train depot raised above the flood plain.

Our task is to leave you with a finished facility that is built on-time and on-budget, and that will meet your needs for many years to come. We do this by:

  • Being Detail-Oriented
  • Providing Best-Value Solutions
  • Developing Accurate and Timely Budgets
  • Handling Construction So You Can Focus Elsewhere
  • Maintaining Stable Management

The result is predictable delivery and spaces built to serve for years.

Civic construction that supports communities and public life

Project Portfolio

Dan Culp, VP of Operations (Burlington)

We're ready to get started

Whether you’re a city, county, or nonprofit, contact Dan Culp to discuss your project.

Call him now at 319-754-8415 or fill out the contact form.


This brochure provides an overview of our civic and public works construction capabilities, recent project experience, and how we help communities get the most value from their investment.

Click to download our latest brochure (PDF, 3 MB)


Carl A. Nelson & Company adds Value to Community-Facing Projects

Our Services are the Building Blocks of your Success

Carl A. Nelson & Company project management services include options for private and public facility owners. Depending on ownership type, options that provide best-value outcomes for owners include:

  • Design-Build
  • Construction Management + Design

Each option includes planning and pre-construction, as well as construction services. Contact our team to learn more about the differences and availability.

Your Partner from Concept Through Construction, and Beyond

Carl A. Nelson & Company’s experience in planning and design enables us to help our community and local government clients to develop and complete projects that keep budget, schedule and constructability in mind from the very beginning. Then, you can count on our team to be there when you need us, whether it is to address questions or help with future projects.

Design and Engineering focus

Our in-house expertise in design and engineering gives our team the ability to manage all aspects of your facility planning and construction project. The Carl A. Nelson & Company project management team of licensed architects, construction engineers and degreed construction managers help us add value during planning, pre-construction and construction.


Best-value services work for public projects

At Carl A. Nelson & Company, we are expert builders and construction managers. Working in the construction management role for public owners, we bring our planning and construction expertise to the role of leading the project from pre-construction through completion.

For local governments, that service can fill a crucial gap as CANCO takes on the role of running the work on behalf of the city or county. On public projects, we work across delivery methods, providing Construction Management + Design services, CM at-Risk and CM Agency, depending on the needs of the client.

Leaders recognize the value of an experience construction manager.

“I think in Iowa, the size of most counties and cities, most of us don't have the people with the expertise to do a project like that. That's where it's very beneficial to hire a construction manager to be able to take on that role during the process to help you through it.”

Jared Schneider, Washington County Sheriff, on the county’s Emergency Operations Center project


CANCO is the Builder to Help You Build Community

Built environments build community

At Carl A. Nelson & Company, we specialize in building civic and public facilities that enhance quality of life for residents.

Building lasting community assets

We focus on creating attractive, welcoming spaces that serve as community hubs for years to come. These facilities foster teamwork, friendships, and memorable life events.

Comprehensive planning and support

We offer pre-construction services to help plan your project, ensuring it meets your community's needs. We also assist in gaining public support through education and information sharing.

Planning a Civic Facility or Public Works Project?

Contact Dan Culp at 319-754-8415 or through our online contact form.