The Tejon Street Revitalization Project is a collaboration between the City of Colorado Springs and the Downtown Partnership’s Downtown Development Authority. Through targeted and data-informed enhancement of the Tejon streetscape from Colorado Avenue to Boulder Street, the project's goal is to boost public safety, accessibility and business activity.
Background
Downtown Colorado Springs has experienced a $2.3 billion surge in investment in recent years. These investments mean new hotels, restaurants, retailers and 5,000 new dwelling units. The increased popularity of Historic Tejon Street brings a desire for more outdoor dining space, wider sidewalks and enhanced safety measures.
Project Elements
The first phase, Colorado Avenue to Kiowa Street, is in the design phase with construction expected in 2025. The City is incorporating input from the small businesses in those two blocks. Plans include:
- Maintaining of current diagonal parking pattern and a similar number of spaces.
- Providing more sidewalk space for pedestrians and outdoor dining areas.
- Improving safety through removal of the center lane. Deliveries move to side streets.
- Designating short-term parking areas for food-delivery and ride-hail vehicles.
- Planting larger trees and expanding landscape areas.
- Enhancing opportunities for extra pedestrian lighting, public art, and seating.
Funding
The City of Colorado Springs received a $1.6 million grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation. The City will provide local funding. The Downtown Development Authority also is providing funding for the redesign and construction of aesthetic enhancements to “Historic Busy Corner" at the intersection of Tejon Street and Pikes Peak Avenue.