Current Design Options
In all of the options below, we plan to improve accessibility and mobility for all, reorganize the Mall furnishings, rehabilitate the existing pavers, enhance the intersections at named streets and uphold the legacy of the original design. The Urban Design Plan is framed by the Statement of Intent.
OPTION # 1:
Option # 1 minimizes overall intervention with the current design by maintaining existing transit operations and overall layout. This option keeps the bus lanes, sidewalks and tree line as originally designed.
Pros:
Option #1 preserves the central median space
Option #1 allows shuttles to be accessed with equal ease on both sides of the street
Cons:
Option #1 does not solve the observed problems with vending and restaurant patio space, fountain accessibility/safety or median flexibility.
Option #1 does not respond to existing sun exposure
Option #1 offers less flexibility long-term as an isolated civic space can challenge changes in program
OPTION # 2:
Option # 2 responds to current solar exposure by transforming the entire mall into an asymmetrical block setup. This setup moves the two lanes of traffic together around the existing south treeline (see above), making the former transit lane an extra-wide walkway with extended patio and kiosk space. This provides more flexible pedestrian space with room for full-scale retail kiosks. It also allows retail access without crossing bus lanes and creates anexpanded walkway area as well as a possible third row of trees. It is feasible to make this change while still preserving the ornate diamondback paver design and the design does not disturb the existing Honey-Locust trees.
Pros:
Option #2 responds carefully to specific sun exposure
Option #2 allows for significant expansion and improvement in vending
Option #2 creates easy and safe access to vendors
Cons:
Option #2 requires enhanced slab support beneath the center median to support traffic along the current median area
Option #2 may risk a pedestrian sidewalk "preference" as Mall visitors may prefer the expanded south sidewalk (more room to walk) or the current-sized north sidewalk (better shuttle access).
Option #2.1:
Option # 2.1 maintains the same assymettrically coupled transit lanes as proposed in Option 2. However, Option 2.1 transfers the expanded sidewalk from the south side to the north side throughout the center blocks of the mall with a cross-over. The busses would run along the south side for the three blocks at each end of the original Mall (Court - Glenarm and Curtis - Market) and would run along the north side through the middle blocks (Glenarm - Curtis).
Pros:
Option 2.1 has diversity of block styles which could allow for diversity of uses
Option 2.1 has increased pedestrian capacity
Option 2.1 has more options for use of sidewalk without the need to cross a transit lane
Cons:
Crossovers at Glenarm and Curtis could complicate transit traffic
Concern over property-owner equity - does Option 2.1 breate a "first class side" and a "second class side"?
PLEASE NOTE: Option #3 has been removed from consideration by the Steering Committee. It was determined that Mall expansion onto 15th Street is not feasible at this time. The improvements to 15th Street that the scheme offered were supported by the committee, along with the consideration for cyclists downtown, but these do not fall within the scope of the 16th Street Plan and are instead better addressed by the larger Downtown Area Plan. 
Option #3 transfers westbound bus traffic to a proposed bus lane on 15th Street, opening up the original westbound bus lane. This lane could serve as an expansion of public space, an emergency lane, or possibly a 2-way bicycle lane. This change would bring significant pedestrian traffic to 15th Street, improving activity parallel to the Mall. This entails the same paver transformation as Option #2 in order to preserve the diamondback pattern, but doesn't require expansion of the slab beneath the median.
Click Here to see detailed studies of how pedestrians would use the Mall in both options...
Give us your feedback at 16thStreetPlan@downtowndenver.com , our Facebook page or the next public meeting!