Colorado Real Estate Journal - March 16, 2016

Mayor, DDP announce plans for lights along 16th Street Mall

The Downtown Denver Partnership joined Mayor Michael B. Hancock in announcing that the city has finalized plans for the installation of 182 new street lights along the 16th Street Mall.


The project would be funded through Downtown TIF funds distributed by the Denver Urban Renewal Authority. The proposed purchase order of $1.9 million recently was introduced to the Denver City Council Finance and Services Committee for consideration, where they voted 6-0 to move the contract to the full City Council.

The new lights will replace aging fixtures currently in use, as well as lights that have been removed over time because of vehicle collisions. Lights also will be added in critical locations, restoring the original distribution and balance of pedestrian lighting along the mall, according to the DDP. The new fixtures, which will replicate the original iconic ones, will use LED lighting to reduce energy usage and costs.


The new lights also will distribute light more uniformly or evenly across the mall, especially on the sidewalks, enhancing the sense of safety for all mall users.


“With more people moving in and out of downtown every day, it is critical that we constantly work to keep the heart of our city a welcoming place to live, work and play,” Hancock said. “These new lights will enhance the experience of our unique mall and create a brighter and more inviting, safe space for everyone to enjoy. I thank our partners for working to implement this critical effort.”


The lighting project is one of the many core initiatives that the partnership and the city have co-championed to enhance the vitality of the 16th Street Mall. Enhanced mall lighting was also one of the recommendations within the Downtown Security Action Plan, which outlines actionable recommendations to enhance the feeling of safety and security in the downtown area.

“The 16th Street Mall is one of our most vital connectors and important public spaces, and as the mall ages we recognize the importance of improving mall infrastructure while maintaining important elements of its iconic design,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. Installation of the new lights is planned to occur from May through September.