Westside business owners and the city of Denver’s Public Works Department are battling over merchants’ calls to replace traffic lanes on West Colfax Avenue with on-street parking.
About 20 residents and business owners and City Councilman Rick Garcia gathered Tuesday on West Colfax to protest what they termed a lack of response from city officials.
Much of their ire was directed toward public-works director Bill Vidal. They contended Vidal wasn’t giving much credence to their requests.
Vidal said he hadn’t ignored those expressing concerns, but he suggested their demands were unrealistic.
The dispute revolves around the proper configuation of West Colfax Avenue between Federal and Sheridan boulevards.
Dan Shah, director of economic development for the West Colfax Business Improvement District, said the city should put in place turn lanes every other block. Much of the traffic along the road should be in four lanes, providing two lanes of parking, he said. Those protesting also want three new traffic lights, citing the two nursing homes and grade schools along the street.
Currently, a turn lane stretches along the road with many areas maintaining five through lanes. The city permits limited parking during restricted hours.
Those pushing for the changes had asked to meet with Vidal earlier this month. They broke off discussions with the city when Vidal dispatched planners in his department familiar with the Colfax area to meet with them.
“The city’s position is not an arbitrary one,” Vidal said in an e-mail Friday to Jim Hannifin, president of the West Colfax Business Improvement District. “It is a conclusion based on the 18 studies that have been conducted on Colfax over the years.”
Vidal also said a 1999 study by the San Antonio consultant firm BRW and a committee studying the issue had rejected reducing West Colfax to four lanes to make way for parking on both sides of the street.
“Because current traffic conditions on W. Colfax Ave. are relatively unchanged from 10 years ago when this study was done, the findings of the study are still relevant,” the e-mail states.
Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com
