1st Avenue (Steele to Colorado) Study

1st Avenue - Steele to Colorado Blvd. Study

East 1st Avenue Improvement Study

Purpose
The goal of the East 1^st Avenue Improvement study is to improve current conditions along East 1^st Avenue in terms of safety, connections, and streetscape. Consistent with the vision for East 1^st Avenue outlined in the Cherry Creek Neighborhood Plan (2001), the goal is to explore potential infrastructure investments that will renew and improve the study area for increased economic vitality and pedestrian activity.

The study will look at east-west and north-south connections within the study area for all modes of travel and determine potential infrastructure and streetscape improvements including but not limited to:

Safe and pedestrian friendly connectivity
Safe crossings and linkages across 1^st Avenue
Consistent sidewalk and streetscape elements
Improved bike connections to the Cherry Creek Trail and other major bike routes.
Traffic calming measures

Unique Characteristics of 1^st Avenue

A barrier to north-south pedestrian traffic flow and challenging to walk along in an east – west direction.
Inconsistent sidewalk conditions (both attached and detached sidewalks of various widths)
Unrestricted alley access and turning movements in and out of alleyways
A mix of commercial and residential on both sides, with higher densities of residential on the south side.
Higher densities to the west towards the Cherry Creek Shopping Center and lower density to the east towards Colorado Boulevard and the Hilltop neighborhood.
View of the mountains to the west from higher grade at Colorado Blvd..
1^st Ave. is a gateway to the Cherry Creek Shopping District from the east.
1^stAvenue is a dividing line between the Cherry Creek North and Cherry Creek East neighborhoods.
1^st Avenue is the site of several major development projects proposed in the next 5-10 years focused around the 1^st and Steele intersection

Study Area
The study area includes seven blocks east of the 1^st Avenue and Steele Street intersection from Steele to Colorado Boulevard. The study will concentrate on improvements that fall within the prescribed study area but will certainly consider the larger context of the Cherry Creek area as well as the overall traffic patterns and travel shed movements as outlined in the Strategic Transportation Plan (2008).

Timeline
The study is scheduled to be completed by the end of November. The study will not be formally adopted, however, the findings and recommendations will be integrated into the Cherry Creek Neighborhood Plan Update scheduled to begin in Fall 2009. The 1^st Avenue Improvement Study process includes two open house public meetings to discuss progress and findings. The dates and locations of these meetings are as follows:

Public Open House #1
Tuesday, October 6^thBush Outreach Offices

88 Steele Street, Ste 250
5:30 – 7:30PM

Public Open House #2
TBD

For more information, please contact: Cindy Patton, Associate City Planner at cindy.patton@denvergov.org or 720-865-3157.

Planning Process to Date

Click image below for a quick update on the 1st Avenue planning process - January 2010

Meeting Schedule

Open House Public Meeting #1
Tuesday, October 6^thBush Outreach Offices
88 Steele Street, Ste 250
5:30 – 7:30PM

Open House Public Meeting #2
TBD

Questions?

Project Manager:

Cindy Patton

Associate City Planner

cindy.patton@denvergov.org

720-865-3157

Additional Resources

1st Avenue Working Group Document:
During the Spring of 2007, board members from Cherry Creek North and Cherry Creek East formed a working group to articulate a vision for East 1st Avenue. Their series of meetings resulted in a document that outlines one of several possible scenarios envisioning a greater opportunity for East 1st Avenue development and renewal.
To view this document, CLICK HERE.