Our Vision Plan team has been gathering mountains of input through our joint board meetings, stakeholder surveys, focus groups, and the aggregation of numerous existing reports. There is still a bit of community engagement and outreach ahead but some key themes have begun to emerge. These themes, or "Big Moves" will be tested through intercept activities around town in the coming weeks.
This emerging vision is encapsulated in the idea of Expanding the variety and reach of Downtown:
Expand the variety of places, experiences, and opportunities in Downtown Boulder through innovation, inclusion, and co-creation.
BIG MOVES
Expand and enhance the Pearl Street experience
- Integrate Pearl Street Mall elements (e.g. bricks, planters, play) throughout Downtown
- Flexible/closable streetscape on West End
- Pedestrian-Friendly Streetscape on East End
- Micro-retail & other creative retail opportunities
Diversify experiences and opportunities through the co-creation of unique sub-districts
- Affordable food and retail options
- Sub-district identity, placemaking, & branding
- Permanent farmer’s market
- Activate dead facades and parking lot edges
- Enhance signage & wayfinding
Enhance public spaces that foster discovery, collision, and connection
- Public art that is interactive, rotating, functional, & playful
- Updated public restrooms
- Youth activation space and programming
- A spectrum of sensory elements
- Activated alleys, passages, & linkages
Support connections between the creek, hill, and other parts of the city
- Multi-use path improvements
- Gondola
- Off-site parking with shuttle
- 13th Street pedestrian infrastructure
- Enhanced ped/bike crossings on Canyon
Become a model for urban greening and climate resiliency in downtowns
- Edible landscapes and urban farming
- Water-wise and pollinator plantings
- Increased shade and tree canopy
- Integrated stormwater infrastructure
- More bike facilities and amenities
In the weeks ahead we will continue to gather community input and begin to test these vision ideas. We are collecting input through an online survey which is being promoted in a number of ways.
We will also be going out into the community to gather input through intercept events from First Friday in North Boulder to rec centers to events at the Bandshell and more.
*BOARD ACTION* We will need extra volunteers to help with engagement activities. Sign up here.
