Denver puts $1.5M more into 16th Street Mall for summer events, activities
DENVER (KDVR) — More money is going into the 16th Street Mall in hopes of driving more foot traffic toward the downtown spot by bringing concerts, markets and art installations starting this summer.
On Monday, the Denver City Council approved a $1.5 million amendment to a contract between the city and county of Denver and Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. for activation activities related to the reopening of the 16th Street Mall.
Timeline: 16th Street Mall construction expected to finish in 2025
The contract said this includes art installations on vacant storefronts, enhancing street connections, events and entertainment series and temporary or permanent art installations to bring more people into the area and create a positive shift in public perception of downtown Denver.
The partnership's proposal plans to open the blocks between Market Street and Glenarm Place on May 31 and June 1, lining the summer opening weekend up with the Outside Festival.
During the opening weekend, there will be activation activities like Saturday markets with local vendors, temporary art installments and live music series in Writer Square, Glenarm Plaza, OuterSpace and Skyline Park.
While official plans for the opening weekend haven't been announced yet, the proposal said it would launch the 16th Street brand, live music and activations in the spring, with more events, activations and installations open by this summer.
In total, the contract approved $1 million for activation activities and $500,000 for safety improvements, adding $1.5 million to the contract. This adjusted the initial contract amount with the partnership of $400,000 for vacant storefront support and enhanced street connections.
Previous coverage: First completed block of the new 16th Street opens
The partnership is working with $1.9 million on the 16th Street Mall, while the 16th Street Mall Project said the total paid-to-date cost lies at $151.3 million and the estimated cost will be $175.4 million.
The 16th Street Mall Project said it's still planning on taking down the fences by the fall.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Berghaus Makes U.S. Debut at Outside Festival
Iconic British Outdoor Brand Introduces Heritage and Innovation to North American Audience Berghaus SUNDERLAND, England, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Berghaus, the renowned British outdoor brand with nearly six decades of mountaineering heritage, proudly announced its official entry into the U.S. market at this past weekend's Outside Festival in Denver. The launch event, titled 'THIS IS BERGHAUS,' took place on Saturday, May 31, at 2:30 p.m. in Civic Center Park, marking a significant milestone for the brand as it brings its legacy of adventure and innovation to North American outdoor enthusiasts. As a presenting sponsor of the Outside Festival, Berghaus joined a dynamic lineup of global outdoor leaders, including REI Co-op, The North Face, and Brooks Running. The festival, now in its second year, continues to attract thousands of outdoor and music enthusiasts, for a weekend of live music, wellness sessions, film screenings, and gear showcases. 'Launching Berghaus in the U.S. at the Outside Festival is a pivotal moment for us,' says Charlie Pym, global senior vice president at Berghaus. 'As we look to strengthen our global presence as a trusted outdoor brand, we know that the U.S. presents a large opportunity, not only because of the growing interest in outdoor participation but also the cultural relevance outdoor brands play in the lifestyle and active communities throughout the country.' Festival-goers experienced the latest collections from Berghaus, including the reissued Meru and Trango jackets from the new Concert Collection, inspired by the brand's 1990s designs. These pieces blend technical performance with retro style, resonating with seasoned adventurers, and street style enthusiasts alike. The Berghaus booth also featured appearances by brand ambassadors, interactive product demonstrations, and provided participants with insights into the brand's initiatives focused on accessibility and sustainability in outdoor exploration. "The connection of Berghaus to the Denver outdoor community was natural and seamless. It felt as if we had always been a part of this rich, active outdoor community," says Shane Wallace, North American vice president of portfolio brands at Pentland Brands. Berghaus' U.S. debut aligns with its mission to make the outdoors more inclusive and accessible, reflecting the broader goals of the Outside Festival. The brand's presence in Denver signifies its commitment to engaging with the vibrant American outdoor community and expanding its global footprint. Berghaus will continue its introduction to the U.S. market by attending upcoming trade events including the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance in Reno, NV, and the Switchback Event in Nashville, TN. To learn more about Berghaus and purchase gear from its range of technical outdoor gear collections, please visit Please direct all Berghaus media inquiries to Berghaus@ ### Founded in 1966 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Berghaus has been at the forefront of outdoor gear innovation for nearly 60 years. Known for pioneering technologies and a dedication to quality, the brand offers a wide range of clothing and equipment designed for outdoor adventures. Berghaus is a subsidiary of Pentland Group and continues to inspire explorers worldwide. Attachment Berghaus CONTACT: berghaus@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Axios
4 days ago
- Axios
Colorado's outdoor industry suffering from trade war
Travis Campbell shelled out an additional $580,000. Mike Mojica raised prices and laid off workers. Trent Bush is worried he may go out of business. Why it matters: The three Colorado outdoor retail executives say they are casualties of President Trump's trade war. State of play: The sunny skies and huge crowds at last week's Outside Festival in Denver camouflaged a dire reality: Tariffs on foreign goods are pushing the outdoor industry to the brink. Campbell, CEO of Eagle Creek in Steamboat Springs, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, manufactures most of its products in Indonesia and sells them worldwide. His costs skyrocketed with the new tariffs forcing him to freeze salaries, leave two positions unfilled and cut other expenses. Mojica, founder of Outdoor Element, based just outside Denver, finished his best year ever in 2024 but now feels like he's drowning. Even though he raised prices for his fire starter gadgets, the profit margin remains slim and he's paused some production. He lost an account, laid off workers and brought in family members as volunteer workers. Trent Bush leads Artilect, a Boulder-based clothing company that specializes in merino wool grown outside the U.S. He's worried about the uncertainty of his business as well as the anti-American sentiment the tariffs have generated. For now, he's just trying to make ends meet. What they're saying: "When you add that all up, the [impacts of tariffs] mean lower wages, fewer jobs and less spending in the economy," Campbell said at a congressional hearing Friday in Denver hosted by U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper. "I don't think that's what we're aiming for." "What felt like a mood swing for my commander in chief now feels like a knife in the back," added Mojica, who previously served in the U.S. Army and Air Force. The industry faces an "unprecedented crisis," Bush emphasized at the hearing. The other side: Other industries could see benefits from tariffs. And Republican lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans of Thornton, have defended them as necessary to level the playing field for other industries, such as agriculture. Context: The outdoor industry is especially reliant on the global supply chain for specialized equipment that requires immense skills, particularly waterproof materials and shoes. All three business owners said they've worked diligently to onshore production in recent years, but it proved impossible. "These goods require years of skill and specialization to produce, and those capabilities do not exist in the U.S. at any level of scale required to make the goods that we produce," Campbell said. The bottom line: The conversation continued Sunday on the sidelines of the Outside Festival.
CBS News
6 days ago
- CBS News
16th Street in Denver comes alive for Kickoff to Summer Festival after years of construction
After years of detours, dust, and delays, Denver's 16th Street welcomed summer and the return of its vibrant atmosphere with a festival on Saturday. The Kickoff to Summer Festival marked the completion of a multi-year construction project to reshape the heart of downtown Denver. The celebration drew hundreds of residents and tourists alike who strolled through reopened walkways, enjoyed live music, browsed local vendors, and collected free merchandise. CBS For many Denverites, the day was a nostalgic return to what once was, and an exciting look ahead. "Growing up, 16th Street was kind of the place to be," said one attendee, recalling the area's former energy. But the fanfare wasn't universal. While the street pulsed with renewed life, some local businesses along its edges are still recovering from the impact of years of disruption. Arlet Alvarez, manager of Dragonfly Noodle at the corner of 16th and Market, says the construction significantly affected foot traffic and their bottom line. CBS "This block opened up last August, and we're still not where we want to be," she said. "We've been having to cut a lot of labor hours, so we're struggling with that too." Just a few doors down, the Colorado Artisan Center faced similar challenges. "There was so much construction no one could cross the street," said Cayley McAllister. "We just lost out on a lot of sales because no one could physically get to our store." Despite the difficulties, there's growing optimism. With construction now complete and the street once again buzzing with activity, many businesses are hopeful the crowds will return for good. CBS "We've been waiting for this day going on three years now," said Museum of Illusions General Manager John Campbell. "So we're super excited to have business coming back downtown." As summer begins, the city and its small businesses are ready to turn the page.
