Overview of 14th Street Initiative
On November 3, 2009, 14th Street property owners and electors voted to contribute $4 million to the overall $14 million cost of a large-scale streetscaping project through the formation of a general improvement district. Through this public-private initiative, sidewalks will be expanded, encouraging outdoor seating and ground floor shopping and dining uses that will bolster the experience one has when walking down the street. Key elements include the addition of about 200 trees, as well as new flower planters, better “wayfinding” signage, crosswalk bulb-outs, improved pedestrian lighting, decorative street corner monuments, bike racks and enhanced maintenance. A dedicated bicycle lane will be added in the street and on-street parking will be retained.
14th Street is becoming known as the “Ambassador Street” due to the diversity of visitor-oriented uses found along this corridor, including the Colorado Convention Center, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, the Hyatt Regency at Colorado Convention Center, and four other new or recently-constructed hotels. Altogether, $1.5 billion in public and private investments have been made along the corridor since 2002. The new streetscaping project will build on these investments to strengthen this new identity. The district covers the entire the 12 block length between Market Street and Colfax Avenue and extends approximately one-half block on either side of 14th Street.
Meeting and consulting with property owners in the District was a four year process, assumed by the City, the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District and the Downtown Denver Partnership. A consultant team including Parsons Brinkerhoff, CRL & Associates and studioINSITE assisted with design and consensus building services. From February 2009 to June 2009, eight two hour workshops were held with interested property owners, other stakeholders, City representatives and representatives from the Downtown Denver Partnership.
Construction is slated to begin in the fallof 2010 with the goal of completion by the end of 2011.
View a copy of the 11/3/09 Press Release announcing the formation of the District.
The design concept has several interlocking parts that will enhance the “cultural spine” of Downtown Denver:
• Ample sidewalk space on the north side (nearest 15th Street) of the street to encourage and accommodate sidewalk cafes at hotels and restaurants.
• Expanded intersection corners with “bulb-outs”.
• A dedicated bicycle lane.
• On-street parking on both sides of the street.
• There will be streetscape elements that appear the full length of the corridor (14th Street Standard Kit of Parts), such as trees and new street lights.
• In the central blocks of 14th Street, between Welton and Larimer, there will be enhancements to the basic package that will include additional signature, plantings, banners and accent lighting.
For more information, click here to view a preliminary slideshow on the 14th Street streetscape concept and design proposals. Click here to view a preliminary video on the 14th Street Streetscape concept and design proposals.
14th Street Property Owners
If you are a property owner with frontage along the 14th Street corridor and are seeking additional information about the project, please contact Kate Haher at 303.571.8226 or via email at kate@downtowndenver.com.