Arapahoe Avenue Corridor Streetscape Design Proposal

Urban design involves place-making

- the creation of a setting that imparts a sense of place to an area. This process is achieved by

establishing identifiable neighborhoods, unique architecture, aesthetically pleasing public places

and vistas, identifiable landmarks and focal points, and a human element established by compatible

scales of development and ongoing public stewardship. Other key elements of placemaking

include: lively commercial centers, mixed-use development with ground-floor retail uses, human-

scale and context-sensitive design; safe and attractive public areas; image-making; and

decorative elements in the public realm.

Project Statement

The Arapahoe Avenue corridor is a secondary east to west thoroughfare that links two of the main business districts in Boulder. The Corridor has many traffic issues and low walkability but a little character. While it is an edge to the Goss Grove neighborhood and Colorado University campus, there is verylittle reason to linger on, or around Arapahoe Avenue. This proposal addresses the existing issues along the corridor while striving to bringing a sense of place to the corridor. A mixture of traffic calming measures, mixed use development guidelines, and streetscape improvements will seek to transform Arapahoe Avenue into a destination corridor, not just a transitory edge.

Arapahoe Avenue Corridor Streetscape Design Proposal

Sustainable Streets + Centers (SS&C)

Streets Objectives

1. Recognize streets as significant public spaces and the focal point of the city’s most significant public investment.

2. Develop guidelines that result in beautiful, walkable streets with differing character depending on the street’s function, traffic volume and adjacent land uses.

3. Further the city’s sustainabilit y goals by creating design guidelines to insure streets are connected, well designed and inclusive.

Future Potential:

The redevelopment of the corridor will create a circular pattern of travel between the commercial areas of Boulder.

Arapahoe Avenue Corridor Context

Colorado University

Pearl Street Mall

Canyon Blvd.Folsom Street Corridor

Arapahoe Avenue Corridor Challenges & Opportunities

Run Down Properties

High Amount of Rental Properites

Low walkability

Run Down Businesses

61 Feet of Right of way to use for the public realm

Redevelopment of Colorado University property planned

Challenges

Opportunities

Existing Zoning

Proposed Zoning

RH-1Residential High 1 - High density residential areas primarily used for a variety of types of attached residential units, including, without limitation, apartment buildings, and where complementary uses may be allowed.

RH-2Residential High 2 - High density residential areas primarily used for a variety of types of attached residential units, including, without limitation, apartment buildings, and where complementary uses may be allowed.

PPublic - Public areas in which public and semi-public facilities and uses are located, including, without limitation, governmental and educational uses.

DT-1Downtown 1 - A transition area between the downtown and the surrounding residential areas where a wide range of retail, office, residential, and public uses are permitted. A balance of new development with the maintenance and renovation of existing buildings is anticipated, and where development and redevelopment consistent with the established historic and urban design character is encouraged.

BR-1Business Regional 1 - Business centers of the Boulder Valley, containing a wide range of retail and commercial operations, including the largest regional-scale businesses, which serve outlying residential development; and where the goals of the Boulder Urban Renewal Plan are implemented.

BT-2Business Transitional 2 - Transitional business areas which generally buffer a residential area from a major street and are primarily used for commercial and complementary residential uses, including, without limitation, temporary lodging and office uses.

MU-4Mixed Use 4 - Mixed use residential areas generally intended for residential uses with limited neighborhood serving retail and office uses. It is anticipated that development will occur in a pedestrian-oriented pattern, with buildings built up to the street; retail and office uses permitted on the first floor; and where complementary uses may be allowed.

A change in densities Along the corridor and adjacent neighborhoods is necessary to address the changing nature of the immediate area. The main Goss Grove neighborhood will be zoned as lower density to address the concerns about over occupancy and the corridor will be zoned as mixed use to allow for increased uses and act as a buffer to the neighborhood. The University adjacent properties will be zoned as high density residential to allow for the densities that the university envisions on that land.

Land Use Diagrams

System Diagrams

Parcels

Building Mass

Transportation

Pedestrian Circulation

Arapahoe Avenue Corridor Drawings

A01

Plan View Phase 1scale: 1"=300'

N

00 300 1200600

A02

Focused Plan 1 View Phase 1scale: 1"=20'

N

00 20 8040

A

02

13'

13'

11'

11'

11'

148'

40'

2'10

'

60'

42' 11'

6'7'6'

6'

4'

7' 60'

0'

Arapahoe Avenue Corridor Drawings

A01

Plan View Phase 1scale: 1"=300'

N

00 300 1200600

A03

Focused Plan 2 View Phase 1scale: 1"=20'

N

00 20 8040

A

03

13'

11'

11'

11'

13'

65'15'

7'

4'

1:12 Slope

Arapahoe Avenue Corridor Drawings

B02

Focused Plan 1 View Phase 1scale: 1"=10'

N

00 20 8040

5'

0.5'

11' 11' 11'0.5'

5'

7'

0.5'

2'

1'

8'

20'

B02

B03

B01

Reference Site Elevationscale: 1"=300'

N

B03

Focused Plan 2 View Phase 1scale: 1"=10'

N 00 20 8040

60'

33'

0.5'

Arapahoe Avenue Corridor 3D Renderings

Planted median

enhances beauty and

utilizes dead space

Street trees create a buffer zone that creates a sense of safety for pedestrians

and slows traffic

13 Ft. sidewalk creates more space for bikers and pedestrians to pass

Material change for pedestrian crossings

View looking east toward 19th street

Arapahoe Avenue Corridor 3D Renderings

View looking wast toward Naropa University crosswalk

Human scale lighting

ADA standard ramps at crosswalksBus pullouts to smooth the traffic flow

Covered bus stops

Arapahoe Avenue Corridor Design Guideline

Development along the Arapahoe Avenue Corridor should be designed to a human scale. Mixed-use infill development with ground level retail and attractive street frontages should occur whenever buildings are replaced. The buildings should have awnings for pedestrian protection and appropriately scaled signage.

Arapahoe Avenue Corridor Future View

This is a view of the 19th & Arapahoe intersection after the streetscape improvements and some infill development has occurred.

With the expected density increase of the CU family housing area this corridor is poised to become a node of activity that will increase land values and create opportunities for residents and businesses to create a walkable, attractive destination corridor.