MassiveCCN Traffic University Blvd. Projects Plus

District’s Construction Explosion Snarling Traffic

by Glen Richardson

Mega developments underway in Cherry Creek North are snarling traffic within the district while two massive projects along University Blvd. has traffic grinding to a halt. Commuters complain that during rush hour, traffic on University is nearly at a standstill for up to six blocks in all directions. Normal weekday traffic volumes along University in the Cherry Creek commercial area are approximately 50,000 vehicles per day. The two-hour morning peak period begins at 7 a.m. and ends around 9 a.m., while the afternoon peak is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Officials say the resulting traffic jams will get worse this summer for people who commute northbound along University Blvd./Josephine and southbound York/University from 6th to 2nd Avenues.

Traffic headaches within the 16-block shopping-dining district are being created, as buildings are demolished and new ground excavations begun for a half-dozen major projects currently underway. Construction related traffic tie-ups have local businesses fuming over lost sales while some report they have had to cut down on staff hours because of the slowdown. More than 11,250 employees work within the district.

University Blvd. Projects

Denver Public Works started construction in January (Chronicle, December 2013) on a new storm drain system plus a street improvement project along University Blvd. in Cherry Creek North. Additional work is taking place east of University and 1st Ave. Officials had said they would keep one or two lanes open in each direction throughout the project. However, in late March northbound University was closed at 1st Ave.

The storm drainage portion of the project is designed to reduce the frequency and impacts of recurrent, localized flooding in the Cherry Creek area. This project will add significant capacity to the drainage system. The main components include a new outfall structure draining into Cherry Creek through a new storm drainage pipe that will ultimately extend north into the Cherry Creek neighborhood.

Building Boom Congestion

The proliferation of high-rise buildings under construction in Cherry Creek North is also causing problems for both district shoppers and businesses. Traffic slowdowns and stoppage due to construction is not only clogging streets but it is also paralyzing business as shoppers and residents flock in and out of the district. In addition, construction vehicles and equipment are monopolizing traffic lanes and parking spaces, reducing the already congested road capacity.

The biggest traffic slowdowns are along 1st Ave. where work is underway on the enormous FirstBank building at St. Paul. Just east of that project on 1st Ave., construction is creating traffic congestion, where the 12-story Steele Creek Apartment project is being built, at the intersection of Steele that has always had traffic flow problems. Adding to the streets woes will be construction traffic as the RH Gallery project gets started to replace the former Saks Fifth Avenue space along 1st Ave.

Perfect Storm

Cherry Creek North shop owners, restaurants and other businesses say the work along University Blvd. plus the massive building projects within the district are creating substantial business difficulties. Furthermore the timing of projects particularly along University couldn’t have been worse. “The spring and summer months are our busiest time other than Christmas and they waited until we were starting to get busy and started closing down streets,” said one retailer. Added another: “This is the perfect storm!”

On the positive side, at Ten Thousand Villages on 3rd Ave. next to the 250 Columbine development, manager Charlotte Otto says that while it has impacted business, customers are still coming in. “We are finding ways to thrive despite the challenge. Our loyal customers have been a huge strength.” Many in the district, while declining to give their name or that of their business, say on average they have seen foot traffic drop 15-20 percent, with sales off 10 percent. Owners and managers also say they felt shut out of construction decisions, including the timing of work.

A customer in one shop told the Chronicle, “We were so determined to make it we drove around the detours three times before we found the correct turn into the store.” The manager at one business stated that while driving down 2nd Ave. going to FedEx kinkos, construction flaggers refused to let him make the turn until he became belligerent. Businesses and restaurants all complain that employees are late to work. What once took two minutes now takes 20. Moreover, they note it is increasingly difficult for both customers and employees to find parking. One business along University/York noted they had seen escalating road rage and fender benders plus cars cutting through their parking lot. Several businesses told the Chronicle they had just received notification via a pamphlet of the upcoming closure of Josephine. The reaction of one manager: “Oh my God!”

Cherry Creek’s Woes

Benefit Competitors

The traffic jams throughout Cherry Creek have not escaped the notice of the area’s competitors. Jeff Estey, a restaurant entrepreneur who owns three restaurants in Old Gaylord by Washington Park (Wash Park Grille, Max Gill and Grille and Agave Taco Bar), drives his child to the Cherry Creek area for lessons and knows well the traffic woes the area is suffering from. He began a radio advertisement campaign developed by Entercom which notes the parking and traffic problems in Cherry Creek due to construction and invites potential diners to come to the Washington Park area where those issues are not impediments for customers. He states, “Our idea was not to be malicious, but rather poke fun at Cherry Creek’s woes and give people a pleasant alternative.” Restaurants and shops in Glendale are considering similar advertising campaigns.

The City and County of Denver anticipates that the street and storm drainage work will be completed by November of this year. By that time the first of the already approved mega developments will begin to be completed. The effect of those developments on traffic and parking is unknown as the city declined neighborhood requests to perform studies on their impacts.

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