Why we do it

What we do

Engage Civil Incorporated is a professional services firm specializing in civil site design and consulting services supporting the Chicago region's civic, municipal, and commercial development sites.

Building a relationship-based bridge between site development goals and Chicago’s big-shoulder permitting requirements, we deliver a risk-managed, permit-ready, budget-conscious site design package conveying a clarity and level of engagement to prospective bidders that inspires more responsive bids and heightened construction quality.

Recent Work

Well-versed in the backbone of Chicago development, Engage stays immersed in the spirit of advancement until your project rises to completion

Old Cook County Hospital

Little Italy Library Apartments

Harvey Public Library

Bronzeville Retail Campus

Oakwood Shores

Hyde Park Academy

43 Green-Phase 1

Soul City Church

Meet the Lead Design Team

President, Kelsey Taylor, P.E.

Licenses
Professional Engineer Illinois (#062-057215), 2004
Certifications
LEED AP, U.S. Green Building Council, 2008
Education
B.S., Civil Engineering University of Illinois - Chicago, 1998
Graduate Certificate in Construction ManagementIllinois Institute, 2011
Experience
Kelsey has been Principal of Engage since its founding in 2013. An accomplished, team-oriented civil engineering and site development project manager, Kelsey brings to bear a broad expanse of civil-site knowledge, from 150-acre mass grading of power plants, to detailed sewer and grading work of complex commercial, industrial, and municipal projects on storied sites in Chicago. The ability to produce quality deliverables that anticipate and respond to the needs of both the contractor tasked to build and the developer posited with paying for a project are hallmarks of his work. The belief that a clean and elegant design on paper is more likely to translate to faster permitting time and better construction results drive his passion in the service of development in his hometown of Chicago.
Staff Engineer, Brett Wielgos

Education
B.S., Civil Engineering University of Illinois at Chicago, 2015
Experience
Brett began his engineering career designing natural gas infrastructure for a significant portion of Illinois and the greater Chicagoland area with Nicor Gas (Southern Company). While there, he led the department’s CAD team, developing his skills further, executing real-world applications. Brett uses his CAD acumen to streamline Engage’s technical workflow using AutoCAD, Vehicle Tracking, and Civil 3D programs. Combined with his design and project management skills, he helps Engage Civil meet their clients’ high standards and aggressive timelines.
Staff Engineer, Fitsum Hailu, M. Sc.

Education
M.S., Civil Engineering and Management University of Twente, the Netherlands, 2017
B.S., Civil Engineering
Jimma University, Ethiopia, 2012
Experience
Having received a full scholarship from the University of Twente, Fitsum went to the Netherlands to do a master’s study in Civil Engineering and Management. He majored in Water Engineering and Management with a specialization in River and Coastal Engineering.
With a concentration in City of Chicago infrastructure, Fitsum prepares and modifies reports, specifications, permits, and site designs for various Engage projects in (and around) the City of Big Shoulders.
Staff Engineer, Yasmin Qashou

Education
BSc in Civil Engineering ABET-Accredited Applied Science Private University in Amman, Jordan, September 2020
Experience
Yasmin leverages her civil engineering expertise across diverse projects in the City of Chicago, from designing public infrastructure for CDOT and CPS to crafting solutions for private clients. Her skillset encompasses not only the design of parking lots, sidewalks, and utilities but also the crucial calculations for stormwater management.
Adept in industry-standard software like Civil3D and AutoCAD, Yasmin excels in translating CDOT requirements into detailed construction plans, helping to ensure projects meet specifications.