The City of Glenwood Springs’ master planning study of the 6th Street corridor has reached its first milestone, with the draft document available for public comment. The plan can be found at www.cogs.us/6thStreet
The City of Glenwood Springs’ master planning study of the 6th Street corridor has reached its first milestone, with the draft document available for public comment. The goal of the planning effort, which kicked off in January 2016, is to anticipate public improvements that the Grand Avenue Bridge project will set in motion such as streetscape improvements, bike facilities, public parking, and neighborhood gathering areas. Construction of a new Grand Avenue Bridge and improvements to the adjacent I-70 interchange will dramatically change the character of north Glenwood Springs and 6th Street.
Denver-based StudioINSITE and a team of consultants are facilitating the 6th Street planning effort that will help set the stage to refocus 6th Street as a pedestrian zone and an extension of 7th Street/downtown via the new and improved pedestrian bridge. The draft plan envisions retaining the original character of surrounding neighborhoods, while changing the auto-dominated character of east 6th Street. It outlines the vision for property owners and anticipated future development along the corridor, and if adopted, would ultimately require revisions to the zoning ordinance to accommodate land use and height recommendations. Regional activity centers are identified, and future pedestrian and vehicular connections among downtown, north Glenwood Springs, Two Rivers Park, and Meadows Shopping Center are envisioned through trails, bridges and bike lanes. The draft plan also makes recommendations regarding parking facilities, wayfinding, and engaging the river.
The draft plan enforces Glenwood Springs as an outdoor recreation destination, with scenic and nationally renowned regional trails through Glenwood Canyon and the Roaring Fork Valley. 6th Street will host safe bike facilities to connect the trail systems, and improve the Glenwood Canyon trailhead.
Gathering spaces that include amenities such as a performance stage, promenade for pop-up vendors, art walk, children’s play area, and water feature were explored during a community forum for the project.
The draft master plan is out for public review and the final draft is expected to be finalized in January 2017. The plan can be found at www.cogs.us/6thStreet. Following the completion of the draft, the Planning and Zoning Commission will make a recommendation to City Council regarding the plan’s adoption in early 2017.
The City is accepting written comments through November 11, 2016. Please send your comments via email to Gretchen.Ricehill@cogs.us or US Mail to:
Gretchen Ricehill, Senior Planner
Community Development Dept.
101 W. 8th Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
The City of Glenwood Springs would like to thank the work of the 6th Street Steering Committee, helping guide the project to this point. The members of the committee are: Sheldon Emery, Marco Dehm, Dean Gordon, Marice Doll, Kathy Thissen, Jeremy Heiman, Jan Ward, Lee Barger, Todd Leahy, Kjell Mitchell, Steve Beckley, Steven Carver, Deborah Lundin, Greg Boecker, David Hauter and Roland Wagner.