A rendering of the new proposed stage at the Greek Amphitheatre in Civic Center Park. (Public records)
A revamp of an amphitheater at Civic Center Park and adding a restaurant there and at downtown’s Skyline Park are some of the specific park-related projects slated to get money from Denver’s Downtown Development Authority.
About half of the $100 million in DDA cash announced last month, which still needs to be approved by Denver City Council, is going toward green space-oriented projects.
The largest ticket item is $30 million for an overhaul of Civic Center Park, which sits in front of Denver city hall.
Skyline Park, which extends for three blocks along Arapahoe Street downtown, was chosen to get $5 million.
And the city-owned McNichols building, which sits on Civic Center Park, was queued up for $7 million.
“Without world-class public spaces and infrastructure, we don’t have a world-class downtown, and we know that when we invest in the public realm, the private sector follows suit,” Downtown Parks Program Manager Jenna Harris told BusinessDen.
Civic Center Park
Denver’s oldest park spans 33 acres and is home to some of its largest events, such as the new Outside Festival and long-running Christkindlmarket.
But parks officials see some negatives. It mostly attracts those who live outside Denver, rather than locals. It lacks consistent day-to-day programming. And smaller events are harder to arrange on its sprawling grounds.
The biggest change will be to the Greek Amphitheatre, just off 14th Avenue near the Denver Art Museum. Currently, the stage is to the south, with seating to the north.
Another angle of the Greek Amphitheater addition. (Public records)
Harris said the current arrangement has bad sight lines to the stage, and a lack of central seating means people are far from the action. During shows, the main entrance is blocked by buses and equipment needed for modern audio and visuals in the century-old space.
So, the plan is to flip the whole thing, putting a stage with modern equipment to the north, with downtown as its backdrop.
McNichols Building
Once a library and now an event space and art gallery, the McNichols Building sits on the north edge of Civic Center Park.
Under the planned revamp, a 7,000-square-foot restaurant will go on one side of the first floor, with an arts marketplace on the other. An outdoor patio will provide additional space.
“That’s not common for Denver, if you think about it. We don’t have any restaurants in parks, so this would be really the first of its kind. But you can enjoy those things in Bryant Park in New York, or Millennium Park in Chicago,” said Jen Morris, deputy executive director of Denver Arts & Venues.
The McNichols Building, situated at the top left of this rendering, would fit in with Civic Center Park’s new walkways and “garden rooms.” (Public records)
The DDA money, which only partially finances the changes, allowed the plans to evolve from a simple grab-and-go eatery to a full-service restaurant with dinner service, Morris said. The city is hopeful that it’ll start a formal search for a restaurant operator by year’s end.
The building’s second floor is envisioned to become a museum of Denver history and culture, Morris said, although DDA funds won’t specifically go toward that.
Skyline Park
The DDA funds for Skyline Park will be allocated to one of the park’s three blocks — the one between 16th and 17th streets, next to the Daniels & Fisher Tower.
The park sits below grade. The DDA funds would bring that up to ground level and extend the park further into the street, adding a protected bike lane with a tree canopy.
Inside Skyline Park’s food and beverage operations, which will be situated toward the center of the block. (Public records)
Like the McNichols Building, a food and beverage operation will go up in the center of the block. On the north end, where a fountain currently sits, a garden is planned in partnership with Denver Botanic Gardens.
The south end, next to the Daniels & Fisher clocktower, will be home to a stage for live music and sports broadcasts. Jolon Clark, head of Denver Parks and Recreation, said it will have “a little bit of a McGregor Square kind of vibe,” referencing the project near Coors Field.
Fire pits and outdoor dining areas will be added to fill out the block and encourage people to stay and relax.
“It’ll have a side that’s like a quieter garden space, and a side that’s more open to a large, active plaza,” said Harris, the downtown parks manager.
Skyline Park’s proposed new layout between 16th and 17th streets. (Public records)
A rendering of the new proposed stage at the Greek Amphitheatre in Civic Center Park. (Public records)
A revamp of an amphitheater at Civic Center Park and adding a restaurant there and at downtown’s Skyline Park are some of the specific park-related projects slated to get money from Denver’s Downtown Development Authority.
About half of the $100 million in DDA cash announced last month, which still needs to be approved by Denver City Council, is going toward green space-oriented projects.
The largest ticket item is $30 million for an overhaul of Civic Center Park, which sits in front of Denver city hall.
Skyline Park, which extends for three blocks along Arapahoe Street downtown, was chosen to get $5 million.
And the city-owned McNichols building, which sits on Civic Center Park, was queued up for $7 million.
“Without world-class public spaces and infrastructure, we don’t have a world-class downtown, and we know that when we invest in the public realm, the private sector follows suit,” Downtown Parks Program Manager Jenna Harris told BusinessDen.
Civic Center Park
Denver’s oldest park spans 33 acres and is home to some of its largest events, such as the new Outside Festival and long-running Christkindlmarket.
But parks officials see some negatives. It mostly attracts those who live outside Denver, rather than locals. It lacks consistent day-to-day programming. And smaller events are harder to arrange on its sprawling grounds.
The biggest change will be to the Greek Amphitheatre, just off 14th Avenue near the Denver Art Museum. Currently, the stage is to the south, with seating to the north.
Another angle of the Greek Amphitheater addition. (Public records)
Harris said the current arrangement has bad sight lines to the stage, and a lack of central seating means people are far from the action. During shows, the main entrance is blocked by buses and equipment needed for modern audio and visuals in the century-old space.
So, the plan is to flip the whole thing, putting a stage with modern equipment to the north, with downtown as its backdrop.
McNichols Building
Once a library and now an event space and art gallery, the McNichols Building sits on the north edge of Civic Center Park.
Under the planned revamp, a 7,000-square-foot restaurant will go on one side of the first floor, with an arts marketplace on the other. An outdoor patio will provide additional space.
“That’s not common for Denver, if you think about it. We don’t have any restaurants in parks, so this would be really the first of its kind. But you can enjoy those things in Bryant Park in New York, or Millennium Park in Chicago,” said Jen Morris, deputy executive director of Denver Arts & Venues.
The McNichols Building, situated at the top left of this rendering, would fit in with Civic Center Park’s new walkways and “garden rooms.” (Public records)
The DDA money, which only partially finances the changes, allowed the plans to evolve from a simple grab-and-go eatery to a full-service restaurant with dinner service, Morris said. The city is hopeful that it’ll start a formal search for a restaurant operator by year’s end.
The building’s second floor is envisioned to become a museum of Denver history and culture, Morris said, although DDA funds won’t specifically go toward that.
Skyline Park
The DDA funds for Skyline Park will be allocated to one of the park’s three blocks — the one between 16th and 17th streets, next to the Daniels & Fisher Tower.
The park sits below grade. The DDA funds would bring that up to ground level and extend the park further into the street, adding a protected bike lane with a tree canopy.
Inside Skyline Park’s food and beverage operations, which will be situated toward the center of the block. (Public records)
Like the McNichols Building, a food and beverage operation will go up in the center of the block. On the north end, where a fountain currently sits, a garden is planned in partnership with Denver Botanic Gardens.
The south end, next to the Daniels & Fisher clocktower, will be home to a stage for live music and sports broadcasts. Jolon Clark, head of Denver Parks and Recreation, said it will have “a little bit of a McGregor Square kind of vibe,” referencing the project near Coors Field.
Fire pits and outdoor dining areas will be added to fill out the block and encourage people to stay and relax.
“It’ll have a side that’s like a quieter garden space, and a side that’s more open to a large, active plaza,” said Harris, the downtown parks manager.
Skyline Park’s proposed new layout between 16th and 17th streets. (Public records)
