Tonight: Help Imagine a Better West Colfax Avenue
Professional stuntmen don’t want to cross it and Lance Armstrong wouldn’t bike it even after doping up: West Colfax Avenue.
It needs to change, and residents can help decide how it will, tonight at an event called Reimagine West Colfax. It’s the first of two meetings that will decide what type of temporary infrastructure — a crosswalk or a protected bike lane, for example — will be installed for one day in August.
The idea is that the one-day demo will lead to permanent, basic infrastructure necessary to keep pedestrians and people on bikes safe.
“Our ultimate goal is to actually see long-term changes on Colfax that make things more bike and pedestrian friendly,” said Jill Locantore of WalkDenver, who partnered with the West Colfax Business Improvement District on the effort.
Overly wide streets, poorly timed traffic signals, and the absence of crosswalks are the main barriers to safety on the street, which is one of RTD’s busiest corridors, Locantore said.
From WCBID’s website:
The project begins with brainstorming with businesses and residents, then moves on to a design workshop with urban planners and engineers, and then loops back for more input and revised plans from residents and businesses. Finally, at the end of summer we plan a community celebration when we will “test run” and install temporary versions of the designs on the street for one day.
Reimagine West Colfax happens tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at Confluence Ministries, 1400 Quitman St.
The Department of Public Works, RTD, the Colorado Department of Transportation, and several design firms will participate pro bono. The Gates Family Foundation also is providing support.
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