18-03-2025
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
