Project Overview & Summary of Existing Conditions

1 Project Overview Project Goals, History, Scope 2 Timeline / Process Overall Process & Where We Are Task Force Process & Role of Task Force Existing Conditions Critical Areas Along the Street 4 Task Force Additional Task Force Members? Finalized February Meeting Dates Attendance/Role at Public Meetings Reporting Back

Tennyson Streetscape Project Background Tennyson Street (between 8th and 44th Avenues) has a long history as a neighborhood retail district. In its basic form, it is a walkable, compact district, with an eclectic mix of retailers, shops, offices and residences. Architecturally,thereisgreatvarietyinbothdensityandcharacter with single family detached Victorian homes on the same block with newly constructed post modern multi story infill developments built to property line. When walking or driving within the district, there is a sense that the commercial corridor has been energized by pockets of redevelopment, as well as individual property owners updating existing building facades. It is evident that tremendous potential exists for this commercial district. The retail along the street has great variety, with a few long standing restaurants, retailers and businesses that have an established presence along the street. Most of these long term members of the district own their buildings or shops, and have made substantial improvements to existing buildings, or have constructed/purchased new storefronts. However, the bulk of the retail within the project area is entrepreneurial smaller, newer shops/businesses that are within the first five years of operation, and who rent their spaces. As an incubator business area, the district benefits from the energy and vibrancy of an artistic and eclectic mix of shops and art galleries, most of whom are run by the owners. The experience of walking into a shop and being met by the store owner who is often the sole proprietor is alive and well along Tennyson Street. Improvements to the streetscape should capitalize on the passion and commitment of both the established and incubator businesses, helping to create a welcoming and dynamic 'front door' that reflects the spirit and character of the district and becomes a destination within the Metro Denver community. PROJECT OVERVIEW 1

Tennyson Streetscape Bond Project In 2007, Denver voters approved ballot initiatives that established the Better Denver Bond Program. Approximately $2M was allocated for the Tennyson corridor to implement streetscaping improvements on sections of the street between 8 th and 44 th Avenues. PROJECT OVERVIEW 1

Tennyson Streetscape Maintenance The City and County of Denver has a policy that any capital improvements adjacent to private property must be maintained by the property owner(s). District creation is a mechanism that would provide and fund such maintenance. LMD Local Maintenance District LID Local Improvement District PROJECT OVERVIEW 1

In May 2008 the Tennyson Street Corridor (between 8th and 46th Avenues) was selected by the City of Denver s Office of Economic Development (OED) to be a pilot district for: Denver s Neighborhood Marketplace Initiative (DNMI) a new program designed to strengthen business districts and their surrounding neighborhoods citywide PROJECT OVERVIEW 1

Tennyson Corridor Development Plan Goals Established a NICHE STRATEGY for the district Completed an extensive PUBLIC OUTREACH effort (including a comprehensive ONLINE SURVEY) Completed a district-wide MARKET ANALYSIS Outlined a REDEVELOPMENT STRATEGY for the district, including FINANCING MECHANISMS PROJECT OVERVIEW 1

Project Area Chavez Park Tennyson Terrace Project Improvement Area Chavez Park & Tennyson Terrace (excluded from streetscape bond project) Improvement Area is from Back of Curb to Property Line Public Realm Improvements Tied to Bond Funding Requirements Roadway Improvements PROJECT OVERVIEW 1

Project Area Chavez Park Tennyson Terrace PROJECT STATEMENT Funded through Denver s Build a Better Denver bond initiative, the Tennyson Streetscape Conceptual Design Project will create an improvement plan for updates to portions of Tennyson Street between 8th and 44th Avenues. PROJECT OVERVIEW 1

Tennyson Street Process Overview TIMELINE / PROCESS 2

Tennyson Street Process Overview NEXT STEPS Preliminary Plans (0%): May 2010 Advertisement: December 2010 Bid Opening: January 2010 Start Construction: April 2011 End Construction: November 2011 TIMELINE / PROCESS 2

Tennyson Street Project Team TIMELINE / PROCESS 2

Take-Away Information Sheet TIMELINE / PROCESS 2

TASK FORCE PROCESS 8 INDIVIDUAL GROUP MEETINGS TIMELINE / PROCESS 2

TASK FORCE PROCESS Task Force Representatives Spokespeople and advocates for the groups they represent Share project information with other members of their groups Identify issues, concerns and preferred improvements to the project area TIMELINE / PROCESS 2

Tennyson Street Process Overview Task Force Input Throughout Project TIMELINE / PROCESS 2

Information-Gathering Survey TIMELINE / PROCESS 2

Project Area Chavez Park Tennyson Terrace Existing Conditions Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Existing Conditions The current architectural character of the district is an almost 50/50 split between zero-lot-line historic storefronts and single family residences that either retain their residential use, or which have been converted into shops and office spaces. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Restaurant uses former front yard for outdoor café seating

Single-family home with business located in alley property

Single-family detached home used for businesses

New bakery in single family home (note small front yard)

Single family Victorians adaptively reused

Fence separates outdoor café from street

Storefronts and single family structures set back from the street

Blank façade faces the street

Building entrance faces the parking lot not the street

Wide curb cuts are not pedestrianfriendly

Chavez Park edge (out of project construction funding)

Single family residential abuts retail storefront

Row of retail in storefronts and single story residential structure

Existing Conditions The width of the street right-of-way varies along Tennyson Street between 8th Ave to 44th Ave. This project will verify and update survey data to clearly define the correct ROW width. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Range Points

Existing Conditions Current drainage along Tennyson does not create positive flows into the drainage system, causing winter ice damming and overflows onto sidewalks in spring and summer rains. Older and damaged sections of sidewalk have resulted in some surface drainage flowing onto private property. There are two storm sewers within the project area, located at the intersection of Tennyson and 8th Ave and Tennyson and 44th Ave. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Ice damming south of 44 th & Tennyson

Existing Conditions After years of asphalt overlays, the Tennyson Street road crown is steeply sloped - eliminating the original 6 curb and 24 gutter. Steeper slopes are difficult for cars to navigate and result in awkward slopes for parallel parked vehicles. The layers of asphalt that create the steep roadway crown also have contributed to the drainage problems along the street - gradually lowering the curb face to 4" or less, and making an uneven flow line for stormwater conveyance to the inlets at 44 th and Tennyson. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Steep road crown exists on unimproved portions of Tennyson

Existing Conditions SIDEWALK WIDTHS There is great variety in the existing sidewalks widths, ranging from areas with a 5' detached concrete sidewalk (the smallest sidewalk areas) to larger sections (greater than 12') that have a continuous sidewalk from the curb to the building face. The areas with the largest percentage of continuously wide sidewalks are the side streets that link into Tennyson from the east and west. From 9th through 4rd Streets, there are sections of very wide sidewalks that provide significant opportunity for enhancement. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Detached sidewalk

Zero lot line allows sidewalk to extend to edge of storefront

Wider sidewalks allow for comfortable outdoor eating/dining

Detached sidewalks are City & County of Denver standard

Detached sidewalk with property fences and deep building setbacks

Side streets have consistently wide sidewalk areas

Row of attached storefronts (approx. 15 sidewalk area)

Existing Conditions SIDEWALK GRADES/SLOPES There are locations along Tennyson Street where the sidewalk cross-slope does not meet ADA standards. There is also a significant grade separation between the sidewalk and the back of curb, which poses a tripping hazard and can be an obstacle to vehicles parallel parked when trying to open a door. The pedestrian crossing areas also do not meet current ADA standards for truncated domes on accessible ramps. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Grades and slopes do not meet ADA requirements

Non-ADA compliant

Existing Conditions There are a number of older retaining walls adjacent to the Tennyson Street sidewalks that may be located within the public right-of-way. Their close proximity to the right-ofway and existing back of walk will create a very tight construction width. NOTE: The retaining walls on the east side of Tennyson located between 41 st and 4 rd street appear to be failing. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Retailing wall along east side of Tennyson

Existing Conditions PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS There are two 4-way intersections within the project area - at 44th and 8th Avenues. These intersections also serve as the primary gateways into the district. The 8 th Avenue intersection has a wide cross-section, heavy traffic flows and pedestrian ramps that do not meet ADA standards. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

The staggered intersections to not provide E-W crossing

Curb cuts are places where cars and pedestrians interact

Existing Conditions GATEWAYS The most important gateway leading into the Tennyson project area is at the intersection of Tennyson and 8th Avenue. Currently, both the land uses and physical spaces at this gateway do not promote the district or create awareness/desire to enter. 8th Avenue also has a wide cross-section/heavy traffic flows in this area, which limits adjacent residential foot traffic into the district, and prevents it from capitalizing on potential shoppers that would have more interest in visiting the district if they could easily cross 8th Avenue. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Intersection of 8 th & Tennyson project gateway area

Existing Conditions Existing lighting and electrical are served by overhead telephone poles and cobra-head fixtures. The poles are widely spaced along the street, generally located in tree lawns or along the edges of sidewalks. Aside from acorn lights located along Tennyson Terrace, no pedestrian-scale lighting exists along the corridor. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Overhead cobra lights are the only existing fixtures in the study area

Existing Conditions Existing trees in Tennyson Terrace have dense canopies and are difficult to limb up so views into shop windows can be maintained. The honeylocust trees north of 44 th Avenue (on the east side) are examples of excellent street trees. Any new trees proposed along Tennyson will adhere to the City and County of Denver Street Tree Standards. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Trees in existing maintenance district block views into storefronts

Honeylocust trees are open, airy and easily limbed up

Existing Conditions Along sections of the block between 8 th and 9 th Avenues, there is an increased amount of visible trash and graffiti along the street. This block also projects a very 'rough' character with high fences, unadorned, expansive wall facades, parking lots with locked and barred access, vending machines along the street and little continuous storefronts. Overall, the Tennyson corridor suffers from physical fragmentation and lack of coherance. While Tennyson Terrace serves as a viable link between the north and south sections of the study area, the overall corridor has several sections where long fences (as is the case along Chavez Park) and deep building setbacks create a lack of continuity in the pedestrian experience. Zoning Main Street Zoning Survey ROW Width Out of Project Area Drainage Road Crown Sidewalk Grades / Slopes / Width Retaining Walls Pedestrian Crossings / Gateways Lighting & Electrical Street Trees Streetscape Amenities

Existing Tennyson Terrace improvements

Handmade bench installed by property / business owner

Improvements installed by property owner

Before & After Eagle, Colorado

OPPORTUNITIES. Trash Receptacles Benches Banners Monuments Street Trees Pedestrian Lights Public Art

OPPORTUNITIES. Keep District Tidy Enhance Commercial District Trash Receptacles Benches Banners Monuments Street Trees Pedestrian Lights Public Art COST: $1,000 - $,000 / each

OPPORTUNITIES. Enhance the pedestrian environment Enliven commercial districts by fostering community life Trash Receptacles Benches Banners Monuments Street Trees Pedestrian Lights Public Art COST: $2,000 - $,000 / each

OPPORTUNITIES. Create community identity Enhance commercial district Trash Receptacles Benches Banners Monuments Street Trees Pedestrian Lights Public Art COST: $00 - $600 / each

OPPORTUNITIES. Create community identity Enhance commercial district Trash Receptacles Benches Banners Monuments Street Trees Pedestrian Lights Public Art COST: $10,000 & UP

OPPORTUNITIES. Create more comfortable Walking environment Improve air quality green Trash Receptacles Benches Banners Monuments Street Trees Pedestrian Lights Public Art COST: $10,000 - $17,000 / each

OPPORTUNITIES. Create safer walking environment Enhance commercial district Improve nighttime security Trash Receptacles Benches Banners Monuments Street Trees Pedestrian Lights Public Art COST: $10,000 - $17,000 / each

OPPORTUNITIES. Enhance community identity Create focal point / gathering areas along the street Trash Receptacles Benches Banners Monuments Street Trees Pedestrian Lights Public Art COST: 1% (~$20,000)

1 Project Overview Project Goals, History, Scope 2 Timeline / Process Overall Process & Where We Are Task Force Process & Role of Task Force Existing Conditions Critical Areas Along the Street Before & After Examples 4 Task Force Additional Task Force Members? Finalized February Meeting Dates Attendance/Role at Public Meetings Reporting Back

Task Force Meetings February 2010 TASK FORCE 4

Tennyson Street Process Overview Task Force Input Throughout Project TIMELINE / PROCESS 2

PROJECT CONTACT INFO: Q & A Jennifer Hillhouse City Project Manager Senior City Planner jennifer.hillhouse@denvergov.org 720.865.158 Heather Noyes Parks & Gardens heather@parksandgardens.com 0.455.779 Kristin Cypher Britina Design Group kristin@britina.com 0.456.2887 TASK FORCE 4

Project Overview & Summary of Existing Conditions