As part of the Downtown Denver tax increment financing (TIF) continuation, funds generated during the TIF period in excess of the original obligation have been designated for various improvements in and around downtown.
Lawrence Street Community Center – Construction Complete
Completed in 2015, the Lawrence Street Community Center provides a safe, clean and dignified place – the first of its kind – where Denver’s homeless community can access basic services during the day, including bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, food, drinking fountains and power outlets.Located next to the Denver Rescue Mission’s shelter facility, the community center is situated on a 26,200-square-foot lot. The 11,500-square-foot interior facility includes a 2,150-square-foot kitchen, 325-seat dining area, 900-square-foot shower/restroom area and laundry facility. The exterior features an enclosed 5,600-square-foot courtyard and 7,600-square-foot parking area.The center provides men, women and families an opportunity to learn how to participate in the Denver Rescue Mission’s long-term New Life Program and STAR transitional program. The site previously housed the former Tony Capra Plumbing & Heating Co.
18th Street 2-Way Conversion – Construction Complete
After an in-depth study of street usage, Denver Public Works experts recommended converting 18th Street between Wynkoop Street and Blake Street (a two-block stretch) from a one-way street to a two-way street. Completed in 2014, the project included dedicated lanes for bicycle travel on both sides of the street, new traffic signals with countdown pedestrian signals, improved curb ramps and crosswalk markings.The Downtown Urban Redevelopment Area has seen a massive shift in usage and increased traffic from public transit users, motorists, bicycles and pedestrians. The renovation of Union Station, increase in residential living and multi-modal transportation options meant it was time to increase traffic flow. The Regional Transportation District’s Free MetroRide shuttle utilizes the area and travels from Union Station to Civic Center Station along 18th and 19th streets. The street conversion reflects the current character and transportation needs of the area into a more residential area.
16th Street Mall Lighting Improvements – Under Construction
The City and County of Denver is installing 182 new streetlights along thirteen city blocks on the 16th Street Mall to improve lighting and to address escalating operating and maintenance costs. Replicas of the original pedestrian lights will replace aging fixtures and be re-installed in locations where the lights had been removed over the years. LED lighting will be used in all fixtures to reduce costs and energy consumption up to 60 percent.Light will be more evenly dispersed across the 16th Street Mall, particularly on sidewalks, to enhance safety and visibility. Additional improvements include granite paver repair, new electrical junction boxes and bollards. This collaborative project between the City and County of Denver, the Downtown Denver Partnership and DURA is intended to enhance aesthetics and vitality within the Downtown Urban Redevelopment Area.
16th Street and Market Street Station Paving Project – Construction Complete
Market Street Station was home to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus terminals before the revitalization of Union Station, which allowed the station to move after 30 years. The City and County of Denver acquired the site from RTD in 2008 and sold it to Continuum Partners to be redeveloped into three five-to-ten-story mixed-use buildings. The bus turnout location on the 16th Street Mall required demolition and restoration of the sidewalk and lane realignment work.
16th and Broadway Intersection Improvements – Construction Complete
The intersection of 16th and Broadway has been a longtime cluster of vehicles, large buses, mall shuttles and awkward diagonal crosswalks for pedestrians and bicyclists to navigate. The large intersection was also a common place for vehicles to run red lights, making it even more precarious.The Department of Public Works has made the intersection safer for bicyclists and pedestrians with several improvements. A median on 16th Avenue enables careful left turning onto 16th Avenue from Broadway. The median acts as an extension of the 16th Street bike lane. The northern corner of the intersection was expanded with clear markers for pedestrian safety. New pedestrian signals, ramps, bike racks, trees and lighting were installed throughout the intersection.
16thStreet Mall Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Clearance
The collaborative effort between the City and County of Denver, Regional Transportation District, Downtown Denver Partnership, the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, the Denver Urban Renewal Authority and the Federal Transit Administration will follow the National Environmental Policy Act process to consider social and environmental impacts when reviewing possible alternatives for the mall, which may include a recommendation to leave the mall as-is. Funding was provided by DURA to complete the analysis and the alternatives that come from the analysis along with community input will shape the future of the 16thStreet Mall