Denver officials next month expect to begin about $2.1 million in bond improvements along a nearly 2-mile stretch of East Colfax Avenue between the Capitol Hill and City Park neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, the Colfax Business Improvement District, which includes a majority of the area, has seen an increase in the amount of development, as well as the number of businesses moving in, over the past few years.
Stephanie Salazar, the district’s economic development director, said the district saw about $30 million worth of development last year, compared with about $55 million of investment over the previous seven years.
Since November, she said, 26 businesses have moved into the district. During that time, seven have moved out, making for a net gain of 19 businesses.
Salazar said businesses have been drawn to the walkability and affordability of the area. She said the district’s investment in a dozen surveillance cameras along the corridor also has helped attract businesses.
“They like the fact that there is a lot of attention being given to the area in terms of safety and improvements,” she said.
According to the city, the bond improvements will add more than 100 pedestrian lights between Grant and Columbine streets. The city also will add 28 lights, painted blue, in the city’s six-block Greektown district between Columbine and St. Paul streets. The area will also receive curb and gutter work. The project is expected to be complete by April.
“A lot of it is improved lighting on the street as a whole,” said April Sedillos, vice president of the Colfax Business Improvement District board. “Right now, Colfax doesn’t have any consistent lighting in our section.”
While Upper Colfax has lured the Denver FilmCenter/Colfax and some national chains, such as 7-Eleven and Which Wich Superior Sandwiches, it has lost Wolfe’s Barbeque and Hub Cap Annie in the past year. District officials say the area is still retaining a local flavor, with businesses such as the Colorado Bead Co. and Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, based in Greenwood Village.
“We’ve had some businesses on our street that have grown to larger businesses, for instance Floyd’s,” Sedillos said. “But we’ve been able to keep mom-and-pops, as well.”
Matthew Rodriguez: 303-954-2409 or mrodriguez@denverpost.com
