Re: Fw: 1st Ave Redesign Update

[Bryan Wilson]

Hello everyone,

I'm concerned that I wasn't included on the initial email chain, especially since I was a participant in the Stakeholder Group.
Were there changes made to the plans & are those revised designs available? I only see the boards from the community meeting posted at bit.ly/1stAveRedisign. 

I have some follow-up questions regarding the statements in the email thread below:

Agreement that the Cherry Creek Trail is narrow – presenting safety and comfort issues. Support for a wider Cherry Creek Trail and recognition that a vertical barrier between the trail and vehicular traffic would improve comfort.

Does this mean that the slip lane from Downing onto 1st Ave will be eliminated?

Desire for bus stop improvements, especially at 1st Ave & Downing/Corona. Feedback shared to enhance proposed re-location of bus stop to improve user comfort.

Will this include relocating the bus stops on Downing & Corona to the overpasses? This will shorten the distance for riders transferring between routes while creating the opportunity to build out safer bus stops. It will also create the opportunity to build elevated platforms for easier loading for those with limited mobility, like the Colfax BRT project.

I feel that eliminating the right turn lane & prioritizing the right vehicle travel lane for buses will allow the far right side of the overpass to be converted into a bus stop.
This is the rough sketch that I sent back on January 12th.

Also, going forward, please add the appropriate Google Groups to email communications. The addresses are [area plan name]-den...@gouglegroups.com. I've included south-cent...@GoogleGroups.com on this email communication.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Respectfully,
Bryan Wilson

From: Sawyer, Amanda - CC Member District 5 Denver City Council <amanda...@denvergov.org>

To: Lou Raders <>; Stuart M. Anderson <stu...@transolutions.org>; Nick LeMasters <ni...@cherrycreeknorth.com>; Richard Barrett <ric...@cherrycreeknorth.com>; Robin Pittman <>; Linda Barker <>

Cc: O'Keefe, Connor - CC YA2245 City Council Aide <connor...@denvergov.org>

Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 11:21:41 AM MST

Subject: FW: 1st Ave Redesign Update

Hi All,

Hope you are well! Just wanted to send you the email chain below re next steps for 1^st Ave and University. You’ve got all the most updated info now, and we will let you know when we hear more from the bond team on an outreach plan.

Please feel free to share with your networks.

Thanks!

Best Wishes,

 

 

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This email is considered an "open record" under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) and must be made available to any person requesting it unless it clearly requests confidentiality. Please expressly indicate whether you would like for your communication to be confidential.

From: Riley, Patrick C. - DOF Bond Program Controls Manager <Patric...@denvergov.org>
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 7:12 PM
To: Sawyer, Amanda - CC Member District 5 Denver City Council <Amanda...@denvergov.org>, O'Keefe, Connor - CC YA2245 City Council Aide <Connor...@denvergov.org>
Subject: Re: 1st Ave Redesign Update

Councilwoman Sawyer,

I can absolutely make time to discuss and can work with Conner to get time on your calendar.  We had a chance to see this communication prior to it going out and tried to make sure that enough was given by DOTI planning to signal that they were finishing their process and the future process would be run out of the Bond Office.  This is in the next steps section at the very bottom under 1^st and University.  I can also acknowledge that sometimes we are too close to it and it may make sense to us, but to someone from the outside it doesnt come across as we would like it to, which I believe is what happened here.  

So while it is true that DOTI planning will not be hosting future community engagement around this project, however there will still be community engagement to shape the final design.  It will just be done in conjunction with a selected designer and under the Bond Office.  We have always planned to work with and through your office in shaping exactly what the community engagement will be as each project in the Bond is different and deserves a project specific approach.  I apologize if this caused a stir up in the community and we will work to make amends for that.  I will get time on your schedule shortly to discuss further.

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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From: Sawyer, Amanda - CC Member District 5 Denver City Council <Amanda...@denvergov.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 3:35:31 PM
To: Riley, Patrick C. - DOF Bond Program Controls Manager <Patric...@denvergov.org>; O'Keefe, Connor - CC YA2245 City Council Aide <Connor...@denvergov.org>
Subject: FW: 1st Ave Redesign Update

 

Hi Patrick,

Just reaching out today about the email below from DOTI re the 1st & University bond project. It doesn’t appear that they are planning to host additional community input prior to implementing this bond project. Do you have a minute to discuss? Thanks

Best Wishes,

 

 

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This email is considered an "open record" under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) and must be made available to any person requesting it unless it clearly requests confidentiality. Please expressly indicate whether you would like for your communication to be confidential.

From: Lanphier, Molly - DOTI Project Manager Engineering Senior <Molly.L...@denvergov.org>
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 3:22 PM
To: Sawyer, Amanda - CC Member District 5 Denver City Council <Amanda...@denvergov.org>, Walter, Matthew - CC YA2246 City Council Aide Senior <Matthew...@denvergov.org>
Cc: Zacharias, Kayla - DOTI CE0371 City Planner Associate <Kayla.Z...@denvergov.org>
Subject: 1st Ave Redesign Update

Hello Councilwoman Sawyer and Matt, 

 

Thanks to you and your office for participating in the 1st Avenue Redesign stakeholder group. Below are next steps for the two project components, which will advance on different timelines: 

 

·                     1st Ave & Cherry Creek Trail (Downing to University): Concept design is complete. The next design phase will begin once funding is identified. 

·                     1st Ave & University Intersection: This component will be funded through the Vibrant Denver Bond approved by voters in November 2025 and will now advance into design and construction. We will continue to keep you updated as this project moves forward. 

 

While the 1st & Cherry Creek Trail concept design is complete, we look forward to continued collaboration in future project phases of the 1st & University intersection improvements. A detailed summary of feedback from the most recent outreach phase for both projects (Fall 2025, including the final public meeting) is provided here. 

 

Please feel free to share this update across your networks. Thank you again for your time and participation! 

 

… 

 

Summary of Feedback and Next Steps – by Project Component 

 

1st Ave and Cherry Creek Trail, Downing to University 

DOTI shared the conceptual design at Public Meeting #2, which reimagined 1st Ave to create a wider Cherry Creek Trail. Key feedback included: 

 

·                     This section of 1st Ave presents safety issues for all roadway users, and improvements would benefit the community. 

·                     Agreement that the Cherry Creek Trail is narrow – presenting safety and comfort issues. Support for a wider Cherry Creek Trail and recognition that a vertical barrier between the trail and vehicular traffic would improve comfort. 

·                     Participants shared concerns with reducing median width to accommodate a wider trail due to historic designation of the corridor, while others shared median changes would be acceptable if they created a better space for people. Alternatives shared to reallocate space and respect the existing median, including:  Ensuring travel lane widths meet minimum standards, installing a concrete street section to minimize the need for a gutter pan, exploring tree planting methods that require less space (e.g., Silva Cells), and assessing the width of the proposed trail while coordinating with adjacent land uses to identify additional opportunities to minimize impacts. 

·                     Desire for better wayfinding to the trail from Downing St. 

·                     Support for improving visibility and intuitiveness of driver movements at 1st Ave & Downing/Corona and slowing turns to increase safety of people crossing. 

·                     Desire for bus stop improvements, especially at 1st Ave & Downing/Corona. Feedback shared to enhance proposed re-location of bus stop to improve user comfort. 

 

Next Steps: 

This project phase is complete, and this component of the project is not advancing beyond concept. DOTI documented all comments, and once funding is identified, these comments will be used to kick off the next project phase. The project is on DOTI’s 6-Year Plan to advance, remaining on hold while DOTI assesses future funding options. 

 

1st Ave and University Intersection 

Design and construction of Improvements at the 1st Ave & University Blvd intersection will be funded by Vibrant Denver Bond.   

 

Based on feedback from the Stakeholder Meeting #2– the DOTI team shared public meeting boards with two intersection alternatives: Concept A showed raised crosswalks at each corner and “smart turn channels”, and Concept B showed a reduced intersection with conventional right turns. 

 

Key Feedback Received on the Two Concepts Included: 

 

·                     Strong support for redesigning intersection to improve safety for people – with participants highlighting the importance of improved visibility, slower turning movements, and a safer crossing – especially as redevelopment accelerates east of University and the desire to cross the street increases for foot and bicycle traffic. 

·                     Changes should maximize safety and be mindful of vehicle congestion. 

·                     Preferences vary for concept A versus concept B with people divided over a single preferred concept. We anticipate further public discussions as these are refined. 

 

Next Steps 

Stakeholders will be notified when work commences to advance the design beyond this concept planning phase. Additionally, as we move forward, the city expects to engage with stakeholders to clarify the project design concept for construction.  

 

The Vibrant Bond program team’s current focus is completing the financing that voters authorized, which provides the funding needed to advance all of the bond projects. The bond team will have more to share on specific projects once the funding is in place, which is anticipated to happen in March 2026. Visit www.denvergov.org/vibrantbond for more information about the Vibrant Denver Bond Program. 

 

Thank you!

Molly