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Civic Center Park’s Broadway Terrace Project Update
Civic Center Park’s Broadway Terrace rehabilitation project is underway and scheduled to be complete in the spring of 2011. The project will include new and refurbished pedestrian walkways and pavement, seating areas, irrigation and landscape improvements including additional trees, improved pedestrian and street lighting, new drainage systems, RTD bus stop improvements and improved curb, gutter and roadway treatments.
These improvements will guide the revitalization and transformation of Civic Center into a place of civic engagement. For visuals and more information on the project, please visit http://www.denvergov.org/Projects/CivicCenterParkImprovements.
As part of Civic Center Park’s Broadway Terrace rehabilitation project, the following changes will be made to the immediate area to accommodate construction:
- The right-turn-only lane at eastbound Colfax Avenue and southbound Broadway Street will be permanently removed to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment. The reclaimed space will be integrated as part of Civic Center Park’s Broadway Terrace.
- Over the course of the project, sidewalks and accessible ramps in the project area will be closed intermittently; however detours for pedestrians will be available.
- RTD bus shelters at the northwest corner of 14th/ Broadway have been removed, and the bus stop has been relocated to the southwest corner of the intersection adjacent to the Central Denver Public Library. RTD has also notified its users of the change.
Civic Center Park’s Broadway Terrace rehabilitation project is partially funded by the Better Denver Bond program with Spectrum General Contractors as the prime contractor. Mundus Bishop Design is the landscape architect / urban designer.
Civic Center Design Guidelines and Master Plan
In March, the The Landmark Preservation Commission unanimously approved the Denver Parks and Recreation Civic Center Design Guidelines as a supplement to the 2005 Civic Center Park Master Plan. The guidelines embody a year-long process of research, analysis and public outreach. The principles, guidelines and standards outlined in the design guidelines reflect the Department of Parks and Recreation’s goals and objectives, and ensure the vision of the 2005 Denver’s Civic Center Park Master Plan remains intact. The document provides a crucial tool in directing and evaluating future improvements in the Park.
As one of the premier civic and cultural centers in the Rocky Mountain region, Civic Center has defined Denver’s urban landscape. The Park has thrived and has been the centerpiece of large events and gatherings for nearly 100 years. Wanting to revitalize and activate the Park, Denver is about to embark upon a comprehensive transformation for the first time since the City Beautiful Movement and Mayor Speer’s administration.
Now with the 2007 Better Denver bond funding approved by Denver voters, Civic Center has $9.5 million to restore the Greek Theater, Voorhies Memorial, Broadway Terrace, Broadway groves, park walkways and balustrades. With the guidelines now adopted, Denver Parks and Recreation can move forward with rehabilitating these historic park structures, as well as considering future improvements and proposals as they fit within these design guidelines. The guidelines will provide parameters for materials, park structures such as kiosks, benches and signage, mass and scale for new features, guidance on level of restoration of historic features and other improvements so these are consistent with the historic character and experience of the park landscape. The objective of the proposed rules and regulations is to provide the intent, standards, and guidelines for design review of projects located within Denver’s Civic Center.
These improvements in addition to the adaptive reuse of the McNichols Building will require collaborative partnerships with multiple city agencies, the Civic Center Conservancy, the development community and other stakeholders.
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The Importance of Civic Center
Civic Center is one of the United States premier examples of the City Beautiful era of art and architecture that flourished in the early 20th century. This spacious plaza, surrounded by monumental government and public buildings, is the civic heart of Denvers downtown. The State Capitol and the City & County Building form the east-west axis. Other institutions such as the Denver Art Museum, Denver Public Library, Colorado State History Museum, Colorado State Judicial Building, and the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Offic Building, complete the collection of civic institutions centered around the park.
From Mayor Sopris’s first plan for the grounds in front of the State Capitol in 1882, Charles Mulford Robinson’s plan in 1906, Frederick Law Olmsted’s plan in 1913, to Edward Bennett’s 1918 plan, Denver citizens have fought for the heart of Civic Center. Civic Center’s suitors experienced a failed bond issue as early as 1907 as well as state and federal lawsuits over financing in 1919. So it’s no surprise that passion for Civic Center is still high.
The Civic Center Master Plan adopted by City Council in May of 2005 calls for the restoration and rehabilitation of significant park components, a large central gathering place, better connections to the surrounding neighborhoods, festival gardens with a Park Pavillion, and kiosks on Broadway and Bannock to activate the streets. It recommends these improvements in the spirit of more fully developing the early vision described in Edward Bennett’s 1918 plan.
Historically, the space has been used for major public events and celebrations representing the diversity and cultural heritage of Colorado and Denver. From its earliest days of free public concerts in the 1920s, to contemporary events such as the community vigil in memory of the Columbine tragedy, the space has been associated with milestone events in the history of the city and state. Many events, such as Cinco de Mayo, Peoples Fair, Theatre in the Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Taste of Colorado are traditionally held annually in Civic Center. These events are free and open to the public.
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Civic Center Design Guidelines 2009
The Conservancy is a non-profit organization formed in 2004 by private citizens to help the Denver Department of Parks and Recreation restore, revitalize and enhance Civic Center Park.
To learn more about the Civic Center Conservancy or become involved click here or call 303-312-4286.
What's Going on in Civic Center Park? Better Denver Bond Improvements
With the assistance of Spectrum General Contractors, the rehabilitation of the Voorhies Memorial and Greek Theater was successfully completed before the Biennial of the Americas event in July. The structures, nearly a century old, received a major facelift as the historic Turkey Creek sandstone was deep cleaned and patched. In some instances, the sandstone (which is no longer available) was replaced with a comparable stone quarried in Wilkeson, Washington. The Greek Theater stage was re-constructed along with the side colonnades by removing and salvaging the historic pavers. The windows and doors were restored. The plaster ceilings of the stage and colonnades were repaired and painted with a historically accurate pink-tan color. The ceiling light fixtures were replaced to resemble the original lights. West of the Greek Theater, the walks originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted were rehabilitated with a unique exposed aggregate concrete surface, also referred to as “Civic Center concrete”. The magnificent architectural details of the Greek Theater can now be appreciated at night with high-efficiency, architectural lights on the columns and along the cornice around the entire structure.
The Voorhies Memorial received many of the same treatments as the Greek Theater, including cleaning, patching and replacing the Turkey Creek sandstone. The plaster ceiling was restored and painted using its original color, Aegean Teal. To compliment the Greek Theater’s presence at night, the memorial is also lit with accents on the columns and along the cornice. Civic Center concrete walks were installed around the plinth of the memorial to maximize access for all to enjoy the architectural beauty. The basin of the historic Seal Pond was rehabilitated, and a new mechanical system to recycle and filter the water.
The central stairs and ramps on the east-west axis of the park were rehabilitated using the Civic Center concrete. The ramps improve access between the upper east terrace of the park and the lower west terrace.
Currently, Spectrum General Contractors and Building Restoration Specialties are working on the rehabilitation of the historic balustrade wall along the upper terrace. Work is anticipated to continue until October 2010.
The final phase of the Better Denver Bond program improvements includes the infrastructure rehabilitation of the Broadway Terrace. Work is expected to begin fall 2010 with completion anticipated in spring 2011. Improvements will include the rehabilitation of the historic pavers in the central promenade, concrete walks, granite edges around each of the turf areas, irrigation, turf, trees, benches and rehabilitation of the Colfax Avenue/ Broadway corner.
Learn more about the Civic Center Park restorations.
The contract for historic renovation and restoration work of the Greek Theater, Voorhies Memorial, and restoration work on the Balustrade Wall was presented at Bond Implementation Committee on Tuesday, December 1, 2009. Click here to view the discussion.
Learn more about this and other Better Denver Bond Projects.
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