Construction is underway to remove a traffic lane and widen the sidewalk on Larimer Street between 15th and 17th streets.
The goal of the $2 million proj ect, to be finished this year, is to make the street more pedestrian- friendly and better connect 16th and 17th streets to downtown’s venerable Larimer Square. In addition to the widened sidewalk, the project includes new lighting and trees.
“The main thrust is it will be a much-improved pedestrian connection,” said John Desmond, vice president of urban planning and environment at Downtown Denver Partnership Inc.
The partnership won a hard-fought battle to get the city to put the money it received after Larimer was decommissioned as a state highway toward the pedestrian improvement project, rather than simply repaving the street. Other funding for the project comes from the Better Denver Bond Program, created in 2007.
The bond program also is providing $10 million in funding for the $14 million streetscape project on 14th Street from Market Street to Colfax Avenue. Private-property owners along the street voted last year to contribute $4 million to the overall cost of the project by forming a general-improvement district.
Sidewalks will be expanded, encouraging outdoor seating for dining and street-level retail. About 200 trees will be added, as well as new flower planters, better sign age, improved pedestrian lighting, bike racks and enhanced maintenance. A dedicated bike lane will be added, and on-street parking will be retained.
The 14th Street project is expected to take about a year to complete.
The city also plans to start work next spring on the streetscape of California Street between 14th and 17th streets. The project involves replacing the existing sidewalks with higher-quality material and planting trees.
Margaret Jackson: 303-954-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com
