Bond’s $1 Billion Package To Fund Streets, Bridges, Parks, And Playground
by Glen Richardson
Walk The Walk: Santa Fe Art District —home of the First Friday Art Walk — will receive just over $29 million in bond funds.
Denver voters approved the November 4, 2025 Vibrant Denver bond package, giving the city $950 million of long-term debt to pay from projects citywide.
The bond bucks will pay for repairs and improvements to roads, bridges, parks, playgrounds, and community spaces without adding new taxes. Mayor Mike Johnston says the package will “create 7,000 new jobs, and generate $1.8 billion in economic activity.” The city is expected to pay off the debt over six years.
The most funding — about $441 million — will go toward transportation and mobility, meaning streets, bridges, and traffic safety improvements. Here’s a look at the projects having the most impact near Cherry Creek North and the Village of Glendale:
Signals, Crosswalks
Big Bucks Change: With $89 million of funding, the eastern portion of the 8th Ave. Viaduct will be removed.
Funding to make traveling through the intersection at 1st Ave. and University safer is budgeted at $5,700,000.
Signal improvements and geometric changes are among the modifications planned. One of Cherry Creek North’s busiest intersections, designs aim to improve safety for people driving, walking, bicycling, and taking transit.
Pedestrian crossing safety improvements citywide will get $3 million. Crosswalk markings, signage, and rapid flashing beacons will be funded.
Santa Fe Upgrades
Upgrades to Santa Fe Drive through the heart of the Santa Fe Art District from 6th Ave. to 13th Ave. is budgeted at $29,085,000. The district comes alive each month as thousands descend upon the street for the First Friday Art Walk from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Wider sidewalks, landscaping, and improved public spaces are planned. Aimed at improving the experience for people walking on Santa Fe, it also seeks to improve safety, while enhancing the district’s identity, history, and culture.
Projects along east-westbound Evans Ave. are budgeted for $18 million. Improvements will design and construct enhancements to signals and pedestrian crossings. Work will be on Evans Ave. from Colorado Blvd. to S. Downing St. and I-25 to Quebec St. Another $1,500,000 will fund neighborhood road safety projects. The project will prioritize, design, and construct improvements on nearly a half-dozen streets. Traffic calming — physical design, signs, and painted markings, and pedestrian safety enhancements — will be constructed on Holly St., 6th Ave., 8th Ave, Uinta St., and Exposition Ave.
Cherry Creek Bridges
Go Broncos: The Denver Broncos plan to make Burnham Yard — less than a mile from Empower Field — their new home. Photo: Gabriel Christus
Denver’s two bridges over Cherry Creek are funded with $29,375,000. Both the Lincoln St. and the 6th Ave. bridges are over 65 years old, and at the end of their serviceable lives.
Both are in poor condition, and on the verge of being load posted with restrictions on emergency vehicle access. The two structures carry major arterial roads through a heavily traveled part of the city.
Moreover, they provide a critical connection to the Denver Health complex. Both are designated as emergency response routes. Replacement of the two deteriorating bridges is critical to maintaining safe and reliable connections.
6th Ave Viaduct
Bond Business: Mayor Mike Johnston talked up the bond initiative prior to the November 4th voter approval. Photo: Kevin J. Beaty
Repairs and access improvements for the 6th Ave. Viaduct are allocated at $50 million. The 6th Ave. Viaduct is one of the busiest roads in Denver’s central core, carrying about 64,000 vehicles a day. It is a critical east-west connection that supports the movement of people and goods between the city, region, and the state.
Piers have deterioration with no load idleness and have high criticality and consequences of failure. Failure of the bridge — or even load rating it — would have major consequences for the region.
Funding will complete structural repairs; create additional connectivity and access points. It will also fund pre-design for the future replacement of the bridge. The project also provides funding for emergency repairs — deck repairs and joint replacements — plus work to maintain connectivity, capacity, and efficiency of the transportation network in the near-term and into the future. Moreover, it will help the city reduce its liability and risk associated with the viaduct.
8th Ave. Viaduct
Boettcher Bucks: Bond funding earmarks $20 million for improvements at Boettcher Concert Hall in the DCPA complex.
The 8th Ave. Viaduct, with $89,200,000 of funding, will leave the western portion of the viaduct and remove the eastern portion. The eastern portion will be reconstructed as an at-grade roadway after it ramps down over the Consolidated Main Line.
The 6th Ave. and 8th Ave. projects will benefit the Denver Broncos’ plan to build a stadium in the area. Denver officials, however, contend the viaducts need fixing nonetheless. The Broncos want the new stadium in Barnham Yard ready for the 2031 season.
The 8th Ave. bridge — it carries about 14,500 vehicles a day — is considered a couplet partner to 6th Ave. that’s essential to connectivity into Denver’s central core during 6th Ave. reconstruction. Work will provide sufficient clearance for Cherry Creek Trail users, and be built in accordance with floodplain requirements.
Boettcher Concert Hall
Bond funding earmarks $20 million to support maintained and improvement projects at Boettcher Concert Hall in the DCPA complex. Tasks include roof repairs, safety system upgrades, plus electrical and mechanical improvements.
The Denver Animal Shelter on W. Bayaud Ave., is allocated $10 million. Included are improvements of the existing animal shelter to mend spaces for dog kennels and-or runs, as well as enhancement to the lobby and clinic spaces.
The Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Zoo, and Denver Museum of Nature & Science each receive $3 million. Funding will support repairs and improvements. Included are safety upgrades, roof repairs, plus electrical and mechanical improvements.
