Led by Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) with support from the Civic Center Conservancy and others, the project builds on years of community engagement and fulfills key goals of the community-drafted 2005 Civic Center Master Plan, and the recently published Civic Center Next 100: Civic Center Park + Bannock Street final concept design plan.
What does the project include?
The first phase of the Civic Center Next 100 is focused on reinvigorating Civic Center Park as a public space that more fully supports both everyday and event use and downtown Denver's flourishing cultural life.
Key updates include:
- A rehabilitated historic Greek Theater with upgraded seating, stage and canopy for contemporary productions and increased use.
- Improved accessibility and circulation through pathways that better connect the park.
- A new plaza commemorating the Gang of 19 protest and the disability rights movement.
- Updated landscape design with new garden rooms, plantings, and plaza areas.
How does this work differ from the work that was completed during the Civic Center Park closure in 2021-2022?
Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) closed Civic Center Park for six months from fall 2021 to spring 2022 due to unsafe conditions—the first such closure in the park's history. During this period, professional restoration work was done, including graffiti removal, mortar replacement, and lighting improvements, all classified as maintenance upgrades. Following the closure, Denver Parks & Recreation was allocated additional budget to increase maintenance standards and ranger presence in the park, which has greatly improved the park conditions and perceptions of safety.
The current construction project goes beyond maintenance to deliver substantial physical improvements and new amenities, enhancing Civic Center Park's capacity to host contemporary events and performances while improving its everyday usability.
How does the design honor Civic Center Park’s historic character?
The design of this revitalization project was carefully crafted with input from historic rehabilitation experts serving on the project's historic advisory committee. Drawing direct inspiration from Edward Bennett's 1918 plan, the new Central Promenade design reestablishes this original pattern of a central walk flanked by two smaller paths, now complemented by loop walks. The project successfully balances historic preservation with contemporary design and modern accessibility requirements, creating accessible routes that follow historic patterns while providing universal access to key features including the Voorhies Memorial and Greek Theater.
The Greek Theater rehabilitation is particularly noteworthy, featuring a sensitive design that preserves the original structure while introducing an iconic yet subordinate canopy structure and reoriented bowl design. These improvements maintain the theater's historic character while ensuring accessibility to all levels and features, demonstrating how thoughtful design can honor historical integrity while meeting contemporary needs and complying with Denver's Civic Center Guidelines, the Denver Landmark Preservation Guidelines, and the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.
Why is this project important for Downtown Denver’s future?
While Civic Center Park excels at hosting the city’s largest gatherings, it has historically been underutilized for daily activities. These improvements will transform the park into a vibrant everyday destination, drawing more residents and visitors year-round while enhancing downtown’s economic vitality.
The Civic Center Next 100 project also supports several DPR and City strategic plans, including:
- Denver’s Downtown Area Plan (2025)
- Game Plan for a Healthy City (2019)
- The Outdoor Downtown plan (2027)
- Listed as a transformational project in The Parks Legacy Fund Five Year Plan (2025-2029)
How was the community involved in shaping this project?
Community engagement has been central to the Civic Center Next 100 project from the beginning. The project fulfills key goals of the 2005 Civic Center Master Plan—a community-drafted vision that laid out principles for balancing the park’s historic preservation with modern functionality and access.
More recently, a public engagement process in 2021–2022 informed the concept design, followed by a community update in October 2024 to present the final design. Resources from that process are available on DPR’s website: