Media Contact
Devin King 
Multimodal Administrator 
Phone: (970) 375-4955
Email:

^{_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________}

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCTOBER 20, 2022

NEWS RELEASE

Durango, CO:

The city of Durango has begun the design process for the Downtown’s Next Step (Pedestrian Improvement) Design Project. This project takes the conceptual design that came from the community’s visioning process for downtown Main Avenue and designs it in phases for construction. 

The project brings downtown Main Avenue one step closer to the vision statement of the plan, which is to  “strengthen the heart of Durango as a safe, inviting, and memorable place for all users that supports thriving businesses, fosters resident pride, and enhances the visitor experience.”

The conceptual design proposes pedestrian improvements from 5^th Street to 14^th Street, and include curb extensions at the intersections, widening the sidewalks, improving ADA ramps and accessible parking spaces, adding flexible space that can be used for bistros, and festival blocks that can be easily closed for events. This vision is a product of months of community engagement that received 2,203 responses through 2 surveys, included 6 stakeholder and staff meetings, an online design review that received 58 comments, and 19 Business Improvement District and City led public meetings. 

“This design phase of Downtown’s Next Step builds on the community’s conceptual design that was created from a robust public outreach effort,” said Devin King, multimodal administrator. “This project will increase the space for pedestrians downtown and improve safety and accessibility for all modes and users. Whether you’re driving, busing, walking, biking, or rolling downtown, these improvements will enhance those experiences.” 

This project will begin with a topographical and boundary survey and a survey of utilities. These surveys lay the groundwork for the engineering design. To gather this data, contractors after the Thanksgiving Holiday will begin marking utilities with paint and bore holes and collect other survey data downtown. This activity will involve some intermittent traffic control and the paint will be around for a week or so. 

Funding for this design project comes from the 2015 Half Cent Sales and Use Tax. For more information, call (970) 375-4955 or visit DurangoGov.org/Projects

###