A lifetime of revitalization: Joel Zirkle looks to next chapter
Several times a week, Joel Zirkle drops his stepson, Jack, for volleyball practice at downtown Rockford's UW Health Sports Factory.
As the 6-foot, 3-inch teenager heads into the bustling, 16-court sports facility, the back story of that space isn't lost on Zirkle.
If it weren't for the hard work of dedicated people – Zirkle included – the Sports Factory wouldn't exist. It would still be a rundown, dilapidated shell of a shuttered factory, continuing to tell that same-old story that Rockford's best days were in the past.
Turns out, that's not the City's story after all. Zirkle used his background in environmental consulting and brownfield redevelopment to help developers identify risks posed at that site. Joel worked with the City, architect and civil engineer to get the property cleaned up and ready for redevelopment using a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Cleanup Grant awarded to the City of Rockford.
Today, the Sports Factory stands as a symbol of what's possible when a community – and people like Joel – commit to revitalization. That's the message Zirkle has championed throughout his career – unlocking potential and fostering renewal in the places that need it most. Now, as he sees that vision take hold, Zirkle is ready to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders.
He retired from Fehr Graham Dec. 20 after nearly 22 years with the firm. With degrees in geology and environmental studies from Cornell College and the University of Iowa, Zirkle joined Fehr Graham with the ambition to develop its brownfield practice. He quickly found that the firm's workplace culture shared his passion for continuous improvement and growth.
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Joel came to Fehr Graham with a vision, and he has been instrumental in turning that into a reality here. His ability to see potential where others don't has not only revitalized properties, but it's inspired a legacy of renewal that will guide our team for years." |
Mick Gronewold, Trilon Midwest Platform Chief Executive Officer and former Fehr Graham President
Over the course of two decades, Joel transformed Fehr Graham's practice from a budding idea into a well-established service with a solid reputation. Tackling the unknowns and complexities of redevelopment projects became his specialty as he helped communities see potential where others only saw risk.
"The most rewarding part of my work is taking a property that's a liability to the community and turning it into an asset," he said. "I enjoy being part of a project people said wasn't possible and making it a reality."
That mindset was pivotal for the transformation of Rockford's Embassy Suites, just across the Rock River from the Sports Factory. Like the Sports Factory, this repurposed property began as a rundown, long-abandoned factory and an eyesore to the community.
Developers worried the former hardware factory's history of metal plating might have left behind chemical contamination, or that lead-based paint and asbestos throughout the aging building would make rehabilitation cost-prohibitive. While some remediation was necessary, nothing was so significant that it would shut down the project.
"There was a perception of how bad things could be, but when you started peeling back the onion, you found there really were solutions," Zirkle said. "You didn't need to just walk away and give up."
Joel has created strong relationships with developers like Gorman & Company, which specialize in revitalizing and transforming underused or contaminated properties.
"Joel has been a game-changer for communities like Rockford," said Gorman & Company National Market President Ron Clewer. "His expertise and dedication to brownfield redevelopment have been pivotal in transforming forgotten spaces into thriving, vibrant assets. His work is a testament to what's possible when passion and skill come together to drive meaningful change."
Today, Zirkle walks through the Embassy Suites doors about once a month — either for a work meeting, fundraiser, community event or a special dinner. Each visit reminds him of his role in transforming the once dilapidated factory into a cornerstone of downtown Rockford's revitalization.
"That was one of those projects everyone said would never happen," he said. "That's always been my motivation – when someone says I can't do it."
Even in retirement, Zirkle will continue to enjoy the rewards of his work as he sees his community thrive because of his contributions to redevelopment. He intends to spend more time enjoying hobbies such as golfing, hunting, fishing, woodworking and blacksmithing. He'll also continue to spend time with his wife and her three children in Rockford, while looking forward to the upcoming nuptials of his two grown children in Iowa.
Retirement, he admits, is "bittersweet, but the timing is right." Reflecting on the brownfield practice he worked so hard to build, Zirkle takes pride in leaving it well-positioned for continued growth. "I've been part of helping develop the team to a point that now I can step away," he said.
