16th Street Mall Paver Preview

 16^th Street Mall Paver Preview

 DENVER – Residents, visitors and members of the media are invited to get a glimpse into the future of the 16^th Street Mall and see the new granite paver system and curbless configuration that are part of The Mall’s renovation. A sample installation of the paver system is now open to the public, allowing people to experience the new granite walkway and transitway that have been designed to increase safety and improve mobility along the iconic pedestrian destination.

The Mall’s new paver system features:

• a pattern similar to what is on the corridor today, honoring the original Navajo rug and diamondback rattlesnake pattern that has been a prominent feature of The Mall for 40 years
• better surface friction to prevent slipping and improve pedestrian safety
• a curb less configuration to facilitate the movement of people across The Mall and enable a variety of Mall uses including events and festivals (note: curbs will be provided at RTD shuttle stops for ease of boarding/deboarding)

The media and public are invited to join us at today’s paver preview event; the installation will be onsite for the project’s duration.

What: 16^th Street Mall Paver Preview

Where: The Outer Space, corner of Welton Street and 16^th Street

When: Available to view throughout 16th Street Mall Project

Project background:

The 16th Street Mall renovation will ensure downtown’s main street remains a destination that Denver residents and visitors can enjoy for decades to come. The project is addressing deteriorating infrastructure to improve safety and mobility, while creating new opportunities for public use and enjoyment. Access to stores and businesses are maintained throughout the project while work is underway.  Highlights of the renovation include:

·  Moving transit lanes to the center of The Mall, eliminating the median that runs between the buses on some blocks and creating wider pedestrian walkways and new amenity zones for leisure, local businesses, entertainment and tourism.

·  Expanding the number of trees on The Mall from about 150 today to more than 200 at completion with a variety of species and degrees of shade and color throughout the year.

·  Small business support made possible by a $1M allocation in the city’s 2022 budget to ensure businesses thrive during the renovation.

The City and County of Denver selected PCL Construction Services as the design/build firm to carry out the 16th Street Mall Project.  PCL’s $149M design/build contract is funded through a mix of local, state, and federal funds, including voter approved Elevate Denver bond funds and contributions from partners including the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, Colorado Department of Transportation, and Federal Transit Administration.

The 16^th Street Mall Project is a component of Denver’s overall financial plan for an equitable and sustainable economic recovery and is anticipated to support more than 1,800 jobs, generate more than $155 million in income for workers, nearly $380 million in sales for businesses and have a regional economic impact of as much as $4 billion throughout the duration of the project.

Photo Attribution:
 Department of Transportation and Infrastructure