The project team peeled the cover off the latest progress on the 16th Street Mall renovation project yesterday and revealed the first pavers installed on the transitway between Larimer and Lawrence Streets.
Laid by hand by skilled craftspeople, there will be more than 950,000 new pavers installed as part of the renovation. The granite paver design honors the original Navajo rug and diamondback rattlesnake pattern that has been a prominent feature of the 16th Street Mall for 40 years. Outside of the transit stops themselves, there will be a new curbless configuration that facilitates the movement of people and enables a variety of uses, including events and festivals.
A primary driver for the 16th Street renovation was the need to address the deteriorating granite paver system that was resulting in poor drainage, frequent disruptions to the transit system, and maintenance costs of more than $1 million annually. The new pavers have better surface friction to prevent slipping and improve pedestrian safety. The smaller size of the new granite pavers, along with a modified drainage system, and different grout and mortar materials will contribute to a longer life.
A sample installation of the paver system remains open for public viewing at The Outer Space at 16th and Welton streets, allowing people to experience the new granite walkway and transitway that have been designed to increase safety and improve mobility along the iconic pedestrian destination.
The City and County of Denver selected PCL Construction Services as the design/build firm to carry out the 16th Street Mall Project. PCL’s $149 million design/build contract is funded through a mix of local, state, and federal funds, including voter-approved Elevate Denver bond funds and contributions from partners including the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, Colorado Department of Transportation, and Federal Transit Administration.
The 16th Street Mall Project is a component of Denver’s overall financial plan for an equitable and sustainable economic recovery and is anticipated to support more than 1,800 jobs, generate more than $155 million in income for workers, nearly $380 million in sales for businesses and have a regional economic impact of as much as $4 billion throughout the project.
