Most of 16th Street reopens in $175M construction project. Here's what locals think

Yahoo

a day ago

DENVER (KDVR) — The years-long construction on the former 16th Street Mall is wrapping up this year, and most of the fences have come down. While some people love the new area, others still won't step foot downtown.
What was known as the 16th Street Mall is finishing up a major reconstruction project, where blocks from Market Street to Cleveland Place are being revamped in what's expected to be a $175 million project to bring life back into the city. After adding new ground-floor realtors, patios, trees, art installations, security and a new name, most of the blocks are now open to the public.
'A whole new feel': Here's what's new on 16th Street in Denver
What's now known as 16th Street reopened at the end of May, with blocks from Market Street to Glenarm Place open along the strip. While people are heading downtown and loving the new strip, the street is still considered the same by other locals.
FOX31 asked its viewers on Facebook: 'What do you think of the 'new' 16th Street?' and less than 24 hours and over 500 comments later, many people had differing opinions on the construction project.
Throughout the hundreds of comments, there were four main thoughts on the new street:
Many Facebook users said they loved the new street, and it's 'actually pretty nice' and it's a '100% major improvement.'
'It looks great. Pedicabbing downtown on this street again has been fun. The people are out again. For the people claiming it's filled with crime/homeless you clearly don't get outside enough and haven't seen it since reopening,' said one user.
People said they specifically loved the greenery and trees on the street, the beer garden area and open container zones and the seating options. Others said they loved the art, live music and options for families.
While some people loved the new area, others are hesitant to head downtown again. Some said they don't feel safe going downtown alone, while others said it was in the middle of Denver, which is a 'No Go' for their family.
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'Still downtown. Still won't go,' said one user.
Other users believed the project was a waste of money, and it wasn't worth three years and $170 million in construction. People specifically said the street looks the same and had the same problems, while others believed millions for a change in the name was pointless.
'I think it shouldn't have cost $100,000 to a marketing firm to remove the word 'Mall' from '16th Street Mall'. I'd have done it for half that amount,' said one user.
Others believed that the street was moving in the right direction, but would like to see more changes, like public restrooms, the chess tables on the 'old' 16th Street Mall, improved traffic on cross streets, more businesses and less empty space.
'A work in progress that still has a ways to go, but I'm glad the investment and commitement has been made,' said one user.
While people are looking for more, 16th Street isn't complete yet. There are still four unfinished blocks, and the entire project is expected to be finished by this fall.
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