16th Street Mall Project

Project Overview

SEPTEMBER 2023: Crews are on site at various locations along the Mall. Businesses are open. The intersection closure at Champa and 16th streets began on Sept. 6 and will remain closed for approximately nine weeks. The intersection closure at Glenarm Place and 16th Street began on Aug. 17 and will remain closed for approximately ten weeks. Catch the RTD Free Mall Ride on 15th Street or 17th Street between Wazee Street and Civic Center Station. Find more information on the current project activities or download the 16th Street Mall Project app.

Great cities never stand still. We think to the future. The 16th Street Mall Project is our past, present and future. It is the backbone of our City, our version of a Main Street and the catalyst for a great future ahead. The 16th Street Mall Project will revitalize the Mall from Market Street to Broadway. Our goal is improving safety and mobility, addressing deteriorating infrastructure and creating more opportunities for the people who live, work and visit the Mile High City to enjoy the Mall for years to come.

Artist's illustration of the future 16th Street Mall, showing pedestrians in the amenity zone and the new granite pavers in the historic pattern

Current and Recommended Mall Alignment

Text description of this infographic(PDF, 65KB)

renderings of current and proposed 16th street mall roadways, with center running transit lanes

Project Phasing and Milestones

Work Phasing Plan

Construction on the 16th Street Mall Project is beginning on the block between Market and Larimer streets, starting in the center/transitway area, with a new adjacent block entering construction approximately four to eight weeks later.

  • Phase 1: Work in the center of the Mall on each block, planned for 13–14 months
  • Phase 2: Work adjacent to the buildings, planned for 3–4 months
  • Phase 3: Completing the final finishes in the center of the Mall, planned for one month

Text description of these infographics(PDF, 519KB)

Pedestrian walkways and access to storefronts will be maintained on both sides of the Mall, but walkways may be narrower. The work site will have gates at both intersections and intermittent flaggers to help direct construction and pedestrian traffic as needed. Signage and construction fencing will have signs to help visitors access transit and businesses.


Phase 1 Milestones

Demolition

Demolition process removes surface materials including trees, existing pavers and tree pits

Remove surface materials including trees, existing pavers and tree pits

Build Transitway

Install transit walls, install electrical duct banks, install slot drain, pour transit slab

Install transit walls, install electrical duct banks, install slot drain, pour transit slab

Intersection Reconstruction

Intersection reconstruction completes shallow utilities like electric, traffic signal and lighting infrastructure; pour concrete pavement; paint traffic and pedestrian striping


Complete shallow utilities like electric, traffic signal and lighting infrastructure; pour concrete pavement; paint traffic and pedestrian striping


Build Stratavault System

Building the stratavault system for the trees includes grading, stratavault install, planting material installation and irrigation

Building the stratavault system for the trees includes grading, stratavault install, planting material installation and irrigation

Plant Trees

Nursery workers overlooking a variety of large trees

The City has already procured trees for this project. They are growing and acclimating in tree nurseries up north. The substantial trees will immediately add shade to the Mall upon installation

Install Transit Pavers

Installing the new transitway paver system will be a very visible sign that phase 1 is nearing completion

Installing the new transitway paver system will be a very visible sign that phase 1 is nearing completion

Current Project Activities

Map of 16th Street Mall blocks in the construction plan, with activities from Market Street to Curtis Street and between California and Welton, with lane closures on Market, Lawrence, Arapahoe and Welton

Travel Information

All businesses are open and accessible.

The RTD Free MallRide is rerouted to bus lanes on 15th and 17th streets while blocks are under construction. More information


Blake to Market (Block 0)

No current activity

Market to Larimer (Block 1)

Current Activities

  • Phase 1 of improvements underway
  • Market intersection:
    • Right-lane closure and east crosswalk on Market Street for concrete work began Sept. 11, lasting through the end of October.

Phase 1 Milestone Progress Update

  • Preconstruction utility work complete in block
  • Water and storm sewer work complete in block
  • Phase 1 of Mall reconstruction underway
    • Demolition (complete)
    • Build transitway (in progress)
    • Build stratavault system
    • Plant trees
    • Install transit pavers
    • Complete intersection closure at Market

Block 1 Schedule

  • Phase 2 start - Early 2024
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Spring 2024
  • Complete - Fall 2024

Larimer to Lawrence (Block 2)

Current Activities

  • Phase 1 of improvements underway
  • Larimer intersection:
    • West sidewalk closure began Sept. 5, lasting through the end of October

Phase 1 Milestone Progress Update

  • Preconstruction utility work complete in block
  • Water and storm sewer work complete in block
  • Phase 1 of Mall reconstruction underway
    • Demolition (complete)
    • Build transitway (complete)
    • Build stratavault system for trees (in progress)
    • Plant trees
    • Install pavers
    • Complete intersection closure at Larimer

Block 2 Schedule

  • Phase 2 start - Late 2023
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Spring 2024
  • Complete - Summer 2024

Lawrence to Arapahoe (Block 3)

Current Activities

  • Phase 1 of improvements underway
  • Lawrence intersection:
    • East crosswalk closure, started July 19, lasting through late October

Phase 1 Milestone Progress Update

  • Preconstruction utility work complete in block
  • Water and storm sewer work complete in block
  • Phase 1 of Mall reconstruction underway
    • Demolition (complete)
    • Build transitway (in progress)
    • Build stratavault system or "tree pits"
    • Plant trees
    • Install pavers
    • Complete intersection closure at Lawrence (complete)

Block 3 Schedule

  • Phase 2 start - Spring 2024
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Summer 2024
  • Complete - Fall 2024

Arapahoe to Curtis (Block 4)

Current Activities

  • Phase 1 of improvements underway:
    • Full closure of south sidewalk began April 20, lasting through fall 2023, when sidewalk area is moved to transitway
  • Arapahoe intersection:
    • Single left-lane closure and east crosswalk shift on Arapahoe began July 19, lasting through mid-November
    • West sidewalk closure, began on July 19, lasting through mid-November
    • This intersection will have various crosswalk closures for the duration of this work. At least three of the four crosswalks are open at all times


Phase 1 Milestone Progress Update

  • Preconstruction utility work complete in block
  • Water and storm sewer work complete in block
  • Phase 1 of Mall reconstruction underway
    • Demolition (complete)
    • Build transitway (in progress)
    • Build stratavault system or "tree pits"
    • Plant trees
    • Install pavers
    • Complete intersection closure at Arapahoe (complete)

Block 4 Schedule

  • Phase 2 start - Summer 2024
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Fall 2024
  • Complete - Fall 2024

Curtis to Champa (Block 5)

Current Activities

  • Phase 1 of improvements underway
  • Curtis intersection:
  • Double, right-lane closure for water and storm sewer work began Aug. 4, lasting through late September
  • This intersection will have various crosswalk closures for the duration of this work. At least three of the four crosswalks are open at all times

Phase 1 Milestone Progress Update

  • Preconstruction utility work complete in block
  • Water and storm sewer work complete in block
  • Phase 1 of Mall reconstruction underway
    • Demolition (complete)
    • Build transitway (in progress)
    • Build stratavault system or "tree pits"
    • Plant trees
    • Install pavers
    • Complete intersection closure at Curtis

Block 5 Schedule

  • Phase 2 start - Summer 2024
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Fall 2024
  • Complete - Late 2024

Champa to Stout (Block 6)

Current Activities

  • Phase 1 of improvements underway
  • Champa Intersection:
    • Full intersection closure began Sept. 6, lasting for a minimum of nine weeks
      • Bike lane temporarily detoured to Arapahoe intersection between 14th and 18th streets
      • This intersection will have various crosswalk closures for the duration of this work. At least three of the four crosswalks are open at all times.

Phase 1 Milestone Progress Update

  • Preconstruction utility work complete in block
  • Water and storm sewer work complete in block
  • Phase 1 of Mall reconstruction underway
    • Demolition (in progress)
    • Build transitway
    • Build stratavault system or "tree pits"
    • Plant trees
    • Install pavers
    • Complete intersection closure at Champa

Block 6 Schedule

  • Phase 1 start - Summer 2023
  • Phase 2 start - Fall 2024
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Early 2025
  • Complete - Spring 2025

Stout to California (Block 7)

Current Activities

  • Utility work underway
    • Half-block, curb-to-curb fence on the west side of the block, along with the narrowed north sidewalk began Sept. 11, lasting for several weeks

Block 7 Schedule

  • Phase 1 start - Late 2023
  • Phase 2 start - Early 2025
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Summer 2025
  • Complete - Summer 2025

California to Welton (Block 8)

Current Activities

  • Phase 1 of improvements underway

Phase 1 Milestone Progress Update

  • Preconstruction utility work complete in block
  • Water and storm sewer work complete in block
  • Phase 1 of Mall reconstruction underway
  • Demolition (in progress)
  • Build transitway
  • Build stratavault system or "tree pits"
  • Plant trees
  • Install pavers
  • Complete intersection closure at California

Block 8 Schedule

  • Phase 2 start - Summer 2024
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Summer 2024
  • Complete - Fall 2024

Welton to Glenarm (Block 9)

Current Activities

  • Utility work underway:
    • Work for water and sewer lines began May 16, lasting through mid-October
      • Fencing encloses work from curb to curb for the entire block
      • Fencing will adjust outward based on current activity in the block
  • Welton intersection:
    • Double-lane closures for water and storm sewer work began Sept. 7, lasting through at least mid-October. One northbound lane is open.

Phase 1 Milestone Progress Update

  • Water and storm sewer work underway in block

Block 9 Schedule

  • Phase 1 start - Fall 2023
  • Phase 2 start - Summer 2024
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Fall 2024
  • Complete - Spring 2025

Glenarm to Tremont (Block 10)

Current Activities

  • Phase 1 of improvements began August 24. Fences will remain in current full block, curb-to-curb configuration. 
  •  Glenarm intersection:
    • Temporary fencing in full intersection, began August 17 lasting for approximately 10 weeks
    • The west crosswalk across 16th Street will be closed, but the other three crosswalks in the intersection will remain open
    • Bike lanes temporarily detoured to Welton and Tremont intersections at 15th and 17th streets

Phase 1 Milestone Progress Update

  • Water and storm sewer work upcoming in block
  • Phase 1 of Mall reconstruction underway
  • Complete intersection closure at Glenarm
    • Demolition (in progress)
    • Build transitway
    • Build stratavault system or "tree pits"
    • Plant trees
    • Install pavers
    • Complete intersection closure at Glenarm

Block 10 Schedule

  • Phase 2 start - Late 2024
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Early 2025
  • Complete - Spring 2025

Tremont to Court (Block 11)

Current Activities

  • N/A

Block 11 Schedule

  • Phase 1 start - Early 2024
  • Phase 2 start - Early 2025
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Spring 2025
  • Complete - Summer 2025

Court to Cleveland (Block 12)

Current Activities

  • Utility work underway
    • Half-block fence on the west end of the block began Sept. 7, lasting through early October
    • South sidewalk closed to pedestrians between Court Place and the Sheraton parking garage entrance and south transit lane closure

Block 12 Schedule

  • Phase 1 start - Early 2024
  • Phase 2 start - Summer 2025
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Summer 2025
  • Complete - Fall 2025

Cleveland to Broadway (Block 13)

Current Activities

  • N/A

Block 13 Schedule

  • Phase 1 start - Early 2024
  • Phase 2 start - Summer 2025
  • Phase 3 start/Fences down - Summer 2025
  • Complete - Fall 2025

Potholing activities in various locations will require occasional lane and sidewalk closures on the 16th Street Mall and on cross-streets between Market Street and Broadway. By potholing, which includes drilling holes into the pavement in multiple locations, the team will be able to confirm existing data about conditions on, around, and under the Mall, including the location of existing underground utilities. By identifying existing utilities, such as water/sewer pipes and electrical conduit lines, the team will be able to reduce the chance of unexpectedly encountering one of these lines during construction. Signage will clearly identify how pedestrians and motorists can navigate any expected closures.

Work may require intermittent lane closures at intersections between Wazee and Broadway throughout construction as well as occasional sidewalk closures. Pedestrian and business access will be maintained.

Work Hours

Construction workdays and hours are anticipated to be Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend work will occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Material deliveries and staging may occur over night. All construction activities are weather and site condition dependent, and schedules are subject to change.

Due to schedule and sequencing, not all active blocks will have activities occurring at all times. The latest updates on work will be added to this website page.

The New Look

The new 16th St. Mall will feature elements designed to help make the Mall a desirable, engaging destination for all. Site furnishings, play features and moments of joy will be distributed up and down the Mall in relationship to activity areas and adjacent land uses.

  • Site Furnishings include items like tables, chairs, benches, planters and other things that create a space for people to spend time.
  • Play Features are structures designed specifically for engaging kids on the Mall.
  • Moments of Joy are elements designed to bring a bit of delight to the Mall; they make you smile, pause for a moment or snap a photo to share.

The ensemble of these features will work together to create attractions and moments of relaxation and fun for families, residents, visitors and workers to enjoy in the core of downtown.

The site furnishings will be organized into three basic room types — feast, lounge and arrow — to create places for a multitude of uses.

  • Feast rooms are designed with food in mind. They create space to share lunch with a friend or eat solo and catch up on your emails on a beautiful day.
  • Lounge rooms create space to slow down and stay for a bit. Visitors can take a moment to plan their next stop, downtown employees can pause in the shade for a moment between meetings and residents can enjoy the people watching for a while.
  • Arrow rooms activate an area while also creating a clear delineation of space.

These site furnishing room types will be paired with planter pots for visual color and interest and all furnishing groupings will be flexible, changeable and phased as a new evolution of place making and sensory experiences along the Mall evolve for everyone’s enjoyment.

Project Background

The 16th Street Mall Project builds on nearly a decade of planning and community input to inform how we reconstruct and revitalize the Mall from Market Street to Broadway. The feedback and input from hundreds of community members resulted in today’s effort to rebuild the Mall to be not just more structurally sound, but also a welcoming space where all people can gather.

Environmental Assessment

The project’s environmental phase concluded in December 2019. FTA found the project to have no significant impact on environmental resources and officially issued a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI) on Nov. 26, 2019. This marked completion of the Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA identified a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) to reconstruct the 16th Street Mall between Market Street and Broadway to address infrastructure, mobility, safety, and public use needs.

Finding of No Significant Impact

May 2019 EA Public Meeting

Members of the public were invited to attend public meetings to provide input on the project and EA conclusions. The same information was presented at two meetings on May 1, 2019.

FTA and the project partners reviewed and considered all comments. All comments received during the comment period will be part of the project record. Responses to all substantive comments (those that raise specific issues or concerns regarding the project or EA process, suggest new alternatives, or question or raise concerns over new impacts not addressed in the EA) will be included in the final decision document.

Environmental Clearance and Funding: Because the Mall was built in 1982 with federal funds, any potential modifications must undergo a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and a cultural resources evaluation pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA). Initial project funding for the Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Clearance came from Tax Increment Financing (TIF) via Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). TIF requires that a design project be identified by 2020 and spent by 2022. As approved by voters, 2017 General Obligation Bonds might also be applied.


Public Engagement Archive

2022: 90 Percent Design

In March 2022 a round of outreach was completed to accompany 90% Design and to inform stakeholders about what to expect once construction begins.

Watch the 90% design video

2021: 60 Percent Design

In late 2021, the 16th Street Mall Project team completed another round of outreach to accompany the submittal of 60% design. This round focused on providing design updates for various amenities along the Mall — shade structures, play elements and more. This video was recorded at one of the focus group meetings and focuses on how design of the mall amenities has evolved over the years, and the current design for elements along the 16th Street Mall.

Watch the 60% design video

Artists rendering of new 16th Street transit and pedestrian mall

February 2020

2018-19

March 2018 Open House

On March 8, 2018, the city and RTD hosted open houses where the public could learn more, ask questions and give input on future refinement of the design. Review the open house materials:

October 2017 Open Houses

Attendees at two open house sessions learned about the 16th Street Mall, including the following:

  1. Project Overview (PDF)
  2. Existing Conditions and Environmental Resources (PDF)
  3. History of the Mall and Previous Studies (PDF)
  4. Input to Date (PDF)
  5. Proposed Alternatives and Evaluation (PDF)
  6. Next Steps (PDF)

View a summary of the October 2017 Open Houses (PDF)

July 2017 Open Houses

Attendees at two open house sessions learned about the 16th Street Mall, including the following:

  1. Project overview (PDF)
  2. Environmental process (PDF)
  3. History of the mall - previous studies (PDF)
  4. Existing conditions (PDF)
  5. Next steps (PDF)
  6. Evaluation criteria (PDF)

View a summary of Meet in the Street and the July 2017 Open Houses (PDF)

Business and Workforce Programs

The City of Denver and the Downtown Denver Partnership have developed a variety of tactics to help remove some common roadblocks that businesses face during large construction projects.

Business Support Information

The 16th Street Mall Project is positioned to create a workforce ecosystem that promotes broader inclusion of a diverse workforce, systemically addresses barriers to entry, and provides supportive service to promote successful worker performance and ongoing development.

Jobs and Workforce Programs Information