The Bluebird District would love to hear from our residents, visitors, patrons and business/properties owners about their perspective on the planned BRT project. Find background information on the project here.
Please complete our brief survey today!
The City and County of Denver continues to develop concepts and designs for Bus Rapid Transit on Colfax Avenue. The Bluebird District has been tracking this effort, asking questions we see as critical regarding design, business access, mobility for all users and how BRT can improve the placemaking components of our district if done with desirable amenities.
For more information and project update from the City, please visit denvergov.org.
The Bluebird District has worked diligently with our Colfax partners, area stakeholders and the City and County of Denver to advocate for pedestrian safety and amenities improvements on Colfax. Through this strong collaboration and support from Council members $20 million for pedestrian safety and amenities improvements on Colfax Avenue were included in the General Obligation Bond package. These improvements are a critical component to creating a Colfax that is safer to cross, friendly to stroll along and unites our communities along Denver’s iconic main street. Thank you to all for the support and diligence for this effort.
The City and County of Denver is working on an area plan that includes the Bluebird District. Bluebird District board members are actively participating in the steering committee for this effort. The plan will include a higher level and long-term vision for the area and provide guidance on policy revisions, design guidelines and how people move about and through our communities. For more information and updates please visit denvergov.org.
Colfaxians recently helped the Colfax Collaborative secure $500,000 in 2017 city funding to design streetscape and safety improvements along the corridor. However, this is only the beginning. General obligation (GO) bond funding is needed to get the improvements built. There are many more projects than dollars to fund them and we need your support now more than ever.
You can help get Colfax on the 2017 bond list by providing input at upcoming meetings to discuss GO Bond priorities. Here’s why we believe Colfax deserves funding: Great Cities have Great Main Streets: We should too! Please speak up and support your main street at one of the following meetings:
Tuesday, December 6, 6-7:30 p.m.: Bruce Randolph School, 3955 Steele St.
Thursday, December 8, 6-7:30 p.m.: South High School, 1700 E. Louisiana Ave.
In addition to the community meetings, you can show your support with comment cards at Denver Public Libraries and recreation centers across the city until December 21, 2016. Or email your thoughts to 2017GOBond@denvergov.org.
Who is the Colfax Collaborative: The Colfax Collaborative is made up of four business improvement districts located along the corridor. From East to West they are: Colfax Mayfair, Bluebird, Colfax Ave. and West Colfax.
They are working together on common challenges and opportunities on Colfax, including the safety and comfort of those living, working, shopping and socializing in each area.
More information:
Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District
Colfax Ave Business Improvement District
We often hear how crossing Colfax is dangerous and difficult and a major concern and priority for those who live and visit the Bluebird District. We are working on this and need your help. We have submitted plans to the City and County of Denver to improve crossing conditions for pedestrians and an opportunity for receiving funding in the 2017 budget would allow us to be one step closer to improving conditions on Colfax. This petition will let City Council and Mayor Hancock know that you support investing in Colfax. See the proposed designs. Please support investments in Colfax and sign today!
The Bluebird Business Improvement District (“BBID”) was formed in 2013. The district falls within a nine- block boundary, just east of downtown Denver, along East Colfax in Denver, CO. It has 27 property owners, and 62 businesses, within a nine-block boundary (2015 Operating Plan). The 2014 assessed valuation of the district is $6,918,230. There is a healthy mix of smaller scale retail, services, art and entertainment, including the Bluebird Theater, which greatly contributes to the identity of the area.
The recently formed Bluebird Business Improvement District (“BBID”) aims to enhance the appearance and attractiveness of the area, provide a safe and clean shopping environment, attract new business owners and retain existing businesses and promote the district through marketing. This plan aims to address how to strategically use BID funds to accomplish these goals through targeted short-term, medium- term and long-term improvements that build on one another to provide a comprehensive vision for area investment.
PlanThe plan is organized into the following sections:
Values & Vision: Based on stakeholder input, data, document review, site visits and intercept interviews the values and vision of this area guide decisions. The values and vision of the neighborhood are integral to informing recommendations.
Methodology: The methodology is based on the BIDs established goals and the identify goals of the stakeholders. These goals guide all of the review and decisions for this document.
Goals & Objectives: Plans were reviewed with the identified goals and objectives in mind. The goals and objectives were established with stakeholder input and guide the review of existing conditions and the recommendations.
Informing Documents: The informing documents are plans that address the needs of the Bluebird Business Improvement District from year 2000 to present. They inform the decision making process for identifying goals. They also provide historical data and allow this plan to build off of prior work.
Existing Conditions: Analysis of the existing conditions within the business improvement district.
Recommendations: Based on data collection, input and research recommendations have been made. These are prioritized by cost, time-frame, political will and stakeholder desire for implementation.
Download a PDF version of the the BBID Small Area Plan.
VISION
The vision for the BBID area, based on stakeholder input and engagement, is a vibrant, diverse and eclectic district that aims to serve the neighborhood with a healthy mix of accessible goods and services. Pedestrian safety along iconic Colfax Avenue must be a priority, along with the economic vitality of businesses in the area.
Values & Characteristics
Stakeholders were asked, in an open ended question, to describe the Bluebird Business Improvement District area in one word. They came up with a plethora of responses, but a trend of common words did stand out. Of 163 respondents, eclectic was entered 17 times, vibrant 12 and diverse 10 times. In the “Bluebird District Development Plan” from 2008 a neighborhood forum described the district as quirky, spotty, hip, potential and funky (OED/PUMA, pg. 3). The same group noted that looking to 2018 they want to see a district that is “vibrant, family friendly, locally owned, developed and bohemian.” The Steering Committee for this plan noted that they hoped to see a “safe, pedestrian friendly and diverse” area (pg. 3). According to resident responses the area is living up to stakeholder wishes in that it has maintained its diverse and eclectic nature. However, pedestrian safety improvements have not been realized.
Yet, despite the lack of pedestrian safety improvements, visitors access to the district is multi-modal. Off-street parking is low in this area, and over 50% of survey respondents for the study noted that they come to the district by walking, biking or transit. From this input and additional data analysis of area needs a vision for the Bluebird District was created.