OK, I’ll admit it. This column is a shameless promotion for my hometown. But honest, folks, you shouldn’t miss Littleton’s historic Main Street during the holiday season.
Not only is it one of the few authentic historic downtowns remaining in the metro area. Not only has the city put more than 1 million tiny lights onto the trees lining the four-block shopping area, making it a true “winter wonderland.” But unique specialty shops have opened, the arts are alive and well, new restaurants offer a wide variety of food and adult beverages for patrons’ pleasure, and the area is bustling.
It wasn’t always thus. In the 1970s, downtown Littleton fell into decay when Southglenn Mall and Southwest Plaza opened. As competition increased, merchants couldn’t agree what to do, and infighting and wrangling evolved. Soon the area was marked by vacant buildings and the few remaining merchants were barely hanging on.
Littleton city leaders, increasingly concerned about the situation, committed to a long-range strategy of investing in its downtown. The city established a matching fund that helped merchants who were willing to restore the historic facades of their buildings. At first, property owners were skeptical. But eventually one or two renovated their buildings, and others, seeing the results, began to follow suit.
Meanwhile, the city’s former town hall was sitting vacant. Community-wide fundraising turned the graceful 1920s Italianate building into today’s Town Hall Arts Center. Unfortunately, the fledgling performing arts center struggled to keep its doors open financially, requiring city subsidies to avoid “going dark” and further weakening the economy of downtown.
Undeterred, the city journeyed on. It took ownership of Littleton Boulevard from the state so it could widen the sidewalks in the downtown area to make them more walkable. It rebuilt streets and installed historic-looking lights, banners and summertime flowers. It lovingly restored the old Arapahoe County courthouse, which anchors the east end of Main Street, for the use of city courts, and bought land adjacent to the courthouse for a major recreation center.
As these efforts were unfolding, Littleton’s 20-year effort to bring light rail to the southwest corridor finally succeeded. The city restored the historic Denver and Rio Grande Railroad depot for use as the new downtown light rail station, and commissioned a colorful mural depicting the town’s historic structures for the station’s retaining wall.
New, innovative retailers began to move in. They formed an active merchants’ association that implemented special events to draw people to downtown, including a summertime farmers’ market, a Taste of Littleton night, International Days, a just slightly crazy Pumpkin Follies and Goat Show near Halloween, and more.
Historic preservation played a significant, although controversial, role in the revitalization of Main Street. After the city nominated several buildings for the National Register of Historic Places, interest grew in preserving other historic buildings in the area. The city’s initial proposal to establish an area-wide, mandatory historic district was strongly opposed by some property owners. Fortunately, extensive negotiations involving many of the newer merchants led to establishment of a smaller voluntary district that is preserving the character of much of Main Street.
Seeing the success of light rail and historic preservation, visionary developers began purchasing properties and bringing back their historic character. Beautifully restored two-story buildings now are home to shops on the ground level with professional offices on the upper floors.
Under the leadership of a new board of directors, Town Hall Arts Center began winning awards for its productions, and today is not only in the black, but is drawing audiences from across the metro area.
And throughout it all, the city’s award-winning “economic gardening” approach has been at work, providing strategic information and marketing strategies to enable Main Street’s independent merchants to compete successfully in their special niches.
Today, the city’s long-term vision and commitment to Main Street, significant investment by private developers, and an influx of new and innovative merchants has led to a sparkling historic area offering a unique shopping, dining and arts experience. The success of Main Street is a lesson in long-term planning, perseverance, hard work and mutual cooperation to benefit everyone concerned.
Come on down to Littleton and finish your holiday shopping!
Susan Thornton (smthornton@aol.com) served 16 years on the Littleton City Council, including eight years as mayor. She writes on suburban issues on alternate Thursdays.
