NEW STREET LIGHTS PLANNED FOR 16TH STREET MALL
182 NEW STREET LIGHTS PLANNED FOR 16TH
STREET MALL
- Project funded through Downtown TIF funds distributed by the Denver
Urban Renewal Authority - Denver City Council Finance and Services Committee voted 6-0 today
to move to full Council - New lights distribute light more uniformly or evenly across the Mall,
enhancing sense of safety for Mall user
The Downtown Denver Partnership joins 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 (DURA). The proposed purchase order of $1.9 million was
introduced to the Denver City Council Finance and Services Committee for
consideration on February 23rd 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 will
also be added in critical locations, restoring the original distribution and
balance of pedestrian lighting along the Mall. The new fixtures, which will
replicate the original iconic ones, will use LED lighting to reduce energy
usage and costs.
The new lights will also 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,” Mayor 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 City, DURA and the Downtown Denver Partnership have a decadeslong
history of working together to enhance the 16th Street Mall and its
pedestrian experience,” said the Executive Director of DURA Tracy
Huggins. “DURA is happy to be able to continue these efforts through this
important safety enhancement.”
“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,” says Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown
Denver Partnership. “As many as 70,000 people walk or ride the shuttle on
the Mall on any given day, and we’ve heard loud and clear that improving
lighting is one of the most important things we can do to improve upon the
feeling of safety Downtown. Thank you to the City and the Denver Urban
Renewal Authority for partnering with us on this important project.”
Installation of the new lights is planned to occur from May through
September 2016.
The Partnership has previously worked with the City and DURA to extend
Downtown TIF funds in 2013 for key projects within the Downtown Area,
including the 16th Street Mall.
For more information about this or additional questions about the 16th
Street Mall, please contact John Desmond at
jdesmond@downtowndenver.com or 303-534-6161.