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Xcel Undergrounding Project
Details about the Xcel Undergrounding Project
- Xcel will convert the overhead distribution street lighting along East Colfax Avenue between Sherman Street & Steele Street to underground distribution street lighting. The existing overhead facilities will be removed upon the completion of the underground lighting.
- When removing the overhead distribution associated with the conversion, Xcel will remove the entire pole and fill the hole/patch with appropriate material. Steele poles will be excavated and cut off 12” – 18” below grade and restored with concrete.
- Xcel will maintain the overhead lighting until comparable underground lighting has been installed and energized.
- New street lighting locations were agreed to at the pre-design walk-through.
- Xcel will provide all non-private locates necessary to complete the project.
- Xcel will perform all work between Monday through Friday during the hours of 07:00 and 17:00 unless otherwise required by the City. Xcel agrees to only perform lane closures between the hours of 8:30 and 15:30, unless otherwise approved by the City.
- Xcel will provide traffic control as necessary for project.
- Xcel will make permanent repairs to all affected locations. Permanent repairs made by Xcel will only be used to return the affected area to its original state. No improvements will be made. Repairs will only be made to those areas affected by Xcel and not the City.
- Xcel will utilize existing/established right-of-ways to install the new underground lighting system. No easement requirements have been anticipated.
- The traffic signal upgrade at approximately 2901 East Colfax Avenue, at the location of an existing pole with a grid number of 04/63 will be completed on this work order.
- Xcel assumes any sidewalk closure will have no charges associated.
- Xcel assumes concrete panels will be replaced as determined and marked at the pre-design walk-through.
- Xcel will replace the full concrete panel where potholes are performed.
- Xcel construction crew will notify effected businesses three days prior to construction at their location.
- Xcel will also go to the City to receive “no parking” meter bags to close off the parking lane for construction.
- The City will remove and replace all signs, cameras, and HALOS from existing poles to new poles.
- Pedestrian lights and irrigation controllers are behind a meter and will be completed on a separate work order.
- The City will work with Qwest to coordinate removal of their facilities.
- Construction staging activities, equipment mobilization, replacement of poles, replacement of concrete, etc. will need to be coordinated with the project manager for the City project so that street repaving operations and related
- A streetscape project is occurring in the same area that will drive mutually compatible phasing plans to be developed by the City and Xcel.
Installation of 'halo' Security Cameras Along Colfax
Colfax is now a safer place to be in part thanks to the installation of ‘Halo’ security cameras that are being installed along Upper Colfax (Grant to Josephine). This comes as a result of the new relationship between the Colfax Business Improvement District (CBID) and the Denver Police Department. This relationship marks a significant investment in the retail, office and residential development along Denver’s historic main street.
On April 20th, CBID Board members gave a check for $180,000 to Councilwoman Robb and Denver Police Lt. Martinez to finance the installation of these security cameras. The addition of the ‘Halo’ cameras, an upcoming streetscape program and the current streetcar feasibility study all reinforce an ongoing commitment to Upper Colfax.
Camera locations were determined by the highest crime areas. This list was based on the location of current non-halo cameras being monitored by DPD, Calls for Service, Density of Reported Crimes, DPD Analysis, Halo Monitoring Team’s input based on current coverage or lack of coverage in high volume areas. These locations were approved by the board. Targeting the heavy crime areas first in this initial phase will reduce crime from the downtown area leading into the district; hopefully attracting tourists as well as locals to feel safer walking into the district and visiting the numerous locations throughout the district. Most tourists stop at the Cathedral. With the help of these cameras and the CBID business maps, we can attract more people into the district. Thus benefiting all business’s in the district.
The 9 cameras CBID purchased will benefit the entire district by reducing crime in the entire district. The initial phase of cameras is focused on the heavier crime areas. Reducing these heavier crime areas will benefit the entire district. As crime moves within the district, the cameras can be moved as well for a minimal fee. Therefore the 9 cameras will benefit all tax payers in the district whether they have a camera in front of their property or not. The crime will be monitored and recommendations from the Halo division as well as the DPD will help determine future placement of cameras. Higher crime areas will always have priority over lower crime areas in the district. Cameras donated by private entities will have permanent placement around their property unless otherwise specified.
The kickoff for installation is November 15 2010. Installation of 12 cameras should be complete within a week. Coalition for the Homeless purchased 1 camera which will be placed on Pearl. DPD provided 2 additional cameras to be placed in our district.
Here is a list of where the ‘halo’ cameras will be located.
1) Emerson and Colfax
2) Logan and Colfax
3) Pennsylvania and Colfax
4) Pearl and Colfax
5) Downing and Colfax
6) Washington and Colfax
7) Ogden and Colfax
8) Clarkson and Colfax
Once we find the additional funding:
9) Corona and Colfax
10) Marion and Colfax
11) Lafayette and Colfax
Click here to view a map of the Halo camera locations.
Colfax Streetcar Feasibility Study Update
After the recent final Task Force meeting to determine the viability of moving forward with the development of a modern streetcar along the Colfax corridor, it’s great to report that the recommendation is to move to the next step of doing an Alternatives Analysis which would look to the actual building of a streetcar line from the Auraria Campus to the Denver-Aurora border. However, such an Alternatives Analysis would cost nearly $500,000 that amount of money is not likely to come soon from Denver city fund dollars. So we will continue to look for community advocates and support.
The study clearly delineated that the transit ridership on Colfax would increase and that the operational/maintenance costs of a streetcar would be more economical than local bus service in the long run. For more information, visit the Colfax Streetcar Feasibility Study's website.
Full funding for this ambitious project would be a major challenge but there are options, ranging from sales and/or property taxes, parking meters, special districts, and even some suggestions of using some DMV fees in support of this effort. Undoubtedly, multiple funding sources would be needed including public and private resources. And, while our present transit system on Colfax – the 15 & 15L – serves an awful lot of riders, the anticipated growth on the corridor in years to come make a compelling case for a better way to travel. Only then could we achieve the stated goals of:
· enhance mobility in the corridor
· improve sustainable transportation options
· Enhance and promote economic development in the corridor.
Stay tuned!
Learn more about this project background, presentations, FAQ, study area map, meeting summaries
If you have questions, please contact Terry Ruiter, Principal Planner, Denver Public Works at 720-865-3136 or by email at terry.ruiter@denvergov.org or contact Anna Jones, consultant, 303-628-5558, anna@pumaworldhq.com
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Colfax Events and Activities
Colfax Avenue is a multi-modal, commercial and residential "main street" serving the residents, commuters, and tourists of Denver. East Colfax Avenue serves the District 10 neighborhoods of Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, Mayfair, and Bellevue-Hale. Colfax exemplifies the best of what a city can offer--a vibrant, diverse, progressive urban avenue.
Historical Significance of Colfax Avenue
Colfax Avenue is the longest continuous street in the United States. It stretches 26 miles from Aurora, through Denver to Lakewood, Colorado. Colfax is said to be a "Gateway to the Rockies" and it can take you from the plains to the mountains. Colfax is also knowns as US Highway 40, or 15th Avenue. Although its status as a highway has declined, Colfax is still a major transportation route. In fact, bus route 15 has the highest rider-ship in the RTD system.
Colfax was first called Golden Road as well as Grand Avenue. The street was later named after Schuyler Colfax, a powerful Indiana Congressman, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Vice President of the United States under Ulysses S. Grant. At first, much of central Colfax Avenue was the wealthy and elite of Denver. The neighborhoods lining Colfax were filled with mansions. After the Silver Panic of 1893, the cost and demand for the decreased. Soon after a massive relocation to Denver's suburbs began. Many of the large homes built along Colfax were transformed into group homes or apartments. Others were converted to commercial use and still hide behind deceptively modest store-fronts.
The car culture of the 1950s led to an increase in travel throughout the nation. Colfax's status as a major thoroughfare led to more tourist traffic along the street. The motels that currently line Colfax are a memory to the Highway 40 era. However, when Interstate I-70 was completed tourists no longer used Colfax as frequently and businesses and neighborhoods suffered. Over the course of 130 years, Colfax has evolved from a dusty, dirt road to a bustling trolley route and now an urban boulevard; always serving as a main street throughout the city .
Unfortunately, over the years, Colfax has lost much of its vibrancy and "main street" feel and it too often noted for abandoned properties, large parking lots, and lack of pedestrian access. For the past three years, various revitalization efforts have been established to change this image. A core group of East Colfax stakeholders has been working with the City's Planning Department on plans such as the East Colfax Corridor Plan outlining a vision for the street's future. As a result, Denver City Council created a new zone district called Main Street (see further description to the right). From the Aurora Fox to the Lowenstein Theater and along West Colfax, changes are taking place as Colfax enters another period in its long history. This new zoning has been applied in differing intensities along East Colfax Avenue with the intention of encouraging redevelopment and revitalizing East Colfax into Denvers Main Street.
Main Street Zoning on Colfax: What Does it Mean?
The Main Street zone districts facilitate efficient utilization of land near transit. The regulations promote the appropriate form and function of Main Streets through a variety of standards including build-to requirements, display windows, height limitations, upper story stepbacks, a broad mix of allowable uses and flexible parking standards.
MS-1 applies to sections of Main Streets in close proximity to stable residential areas with structures of one or two stories, and with zone lots typically less than one hundred twenty-five (125) feet in depth. MS-1 has build-to requirements for street frontages and a maximum height limit of 38’.
MS-2 applies to sections of Main Streets in close proximity to medium density residential areas with structures of two or more stories and with zone lots typically approaching or exceeding one hundred twenty-five (125) feet in depth. MS-2 has build-to requirements for street frontages, a minimum height limit of 24’ and a maximum height limit of 65’, and residential protection upper story stepbacks.
MS-3 applies to the highest intensity sections of Main Streets within 600’ of the intersection of enhanced transit corridors and within one (1) mile of downtown Denver. MS-3 has build-to requirements for street frontages, a minimum height limit of 24’ and a maximum height limit of 100’, and residential protection upper story stepbacks.
Information concerning allowed uses, permitted structures, location and floor area ratio of buildings may be viewed at Municode.com. When you arrive at Municode.com, place sec. 59-271 into the search box.
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