We reported last year on the 5280 Loop -- a plan to create a 5.28-mile pedestrian and bicycle friendly path connecting Denver neighborhoods -- and it's still in its conceptual phases, but the Downtown Denver Partnership is currently inviting community members to come out and help finalize the plan with design and planning firm Civitas.
The loop, a map of which you can see below, focuses on highlighting the unique characteristics of each of the neighborhoods it passes through. John Desmond, executive vice president of DDP, says this is where community input is critical. He hopes the working groups can “do a deep dive on each of the neighborhood segments then we come back to the conceptual plan and connect special blocks to other special blocks,” he said.
Not only do these meetings help designers gain a better grasp of these neighborhood's cultural context, it can also help nail down neighborhood-specific issues like what residents from different parts of the city would need from the loop.
For example on Acoma Street, south of the Denver Art Museum, residents may be trying to cater to more foot traffic and families in particular, so they may hope for things like playground equipment and a focused reduction of car use on the path, while denser areas like Union Station call for a more mixed-used feel as the area is already very visitor friendly and highly urban.
The loop is probably at least a decade away from completion, but working groups have already started meeting (and in fact one small construction project that will be part of the loop is scheduled to be done much sooner).
There are still three meetings left, if you want to to voice your thoughts about the loop in your neighborhood.
Capitol Hill/Uptown – Tuesday, April 24
5:30-7:00 pm
First Baptist Church, 1373 Grant Street
Five Points – Wednesday, April 25
5:30-7:00 pm
Blair-Caldwell African American Library
La Alma/Lincoln Park – Wednesday, May 2
5:30-7:00 pm
North Lincoln Community Center
