Civic Center Park Master Plan

Adopted by the City and County of Denver in 2005

• 1
  McNICHOLS BUILDING
  Once home to Denver's first public library, this historic Carnegie Library was converted to municipal office space in the mid-20th century. The 2005 Civic Center Park Master Plan prioritizes the revitalization of this building as an active, public facility that is respectful of its heritage. This work would include the removal of non-historic finishes, rehabilitation of the building's interior, and exterior restoration. New uses - as identified in a series of 2010 community input sessions - are likely to include public restrooms, a restaurant or cafe, flexible space for cultural programming and events, and other amenities and opportunities to support Civic Center and its activation. In the short-term, the building's now-raw interior shell will be brought up to code in 2012.
• 2
  BANNOCK STREET
  Bannock Street underwent several notable improvements in 2011 to improve connectivity and multi-modal access to Civic Center. Funded by the 2007 Better Denver Bond Program, a non-signalized mid-block crossing was added, one southbound traffic lane was removed, bike facilities in both directions were added, and parking was removed from the park side of the street.
• 3
  BROADWAY TERRACE
  With Better Denver bond-funded restoration of the balustrade nearing completion, bond-funded rehabilitation of the Broadway Terrace will take place in 2011. Aiming to re-establish its historic pattern and create a more active park space, the original brick and concrete walk will be restored; pedestrian pathways improved; irrigation systems and sod replaced; and park benches and trees added for additional shaded seating. The project will also include improved pedestrian and street lighting, new drainage systems, RTD bus stop improvements and improved curb, gutter and roadway treatments.
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  KIOSKS
  The 2005 Civic Center Park Master Plan calls for the addition of two kiosks in the Broadway Terrace to activate these park spaces and provide necessary amenities (such as food service, newspapers, restrooms) to park visitors. Each kiosk would be a small architectural gem compatible with the park's character. In preparation for a future kiosk and to enhance connectivity and safety at this corner, the dedicated turn lane from Colfax Avenue to Broadway was removed in 2011 and the corner fully restored to the park, thanks to funding from the 2007 Better Denver bond program.
• 5
  KIOSKS
  The 2005 Civic Center Park Master Plan calls for the addition of two kiosks in the Broadway Terrace to activate these park spaces and provide necessary amenities (such as food service, newspapers, restrooms) to park visitors. Each kiosk would be a small architectural gem compatible with the park's character.
• 6
  CENTRAL GATHERING SPACE
  A new central gathering place aims to bring artistic beauty and memorable "heart" to the park. Aiming to complete Edward Bennett's original vision, the 2005 Master Plan calls for a sculptural water feature to enliven the central gathering place - celebrating the importance of water to this arid region. The spectacular visual element would draw people to the park's center to enjoy its flower gardens, grassy lawn, rich paving and enhanced seating. Once funding is secured, a design competition is likely. There is also significant community interest in a feature that could double as an ice skating rink in the winter.
• 7
  SOUTH GARDEN
  Early park plans proposed a second park building (an art museum) to complement the Carnegie Library and create a central court between the two buildings. In the spirit of this historic original intent, the Master Plan calls for a "Festival Garden" that would be a lively and clearly defined space within the envisioned footprint, potentially including elevated but accessible hardscape as well as temporal gardens with changing installations such as sculpture, flower beds, plantings or other artistic elements.