Holistic approach helps Colorado communities revitalize their downtowns

Nolte Associates of Colorado Springs is helping small towns and cities like Monte Vista, Manitou Springs and Lyons revamp their downtown areas through careful master planning.

Monte Vista—population 5,000, a windswept farming community in Colorado’s San Luis Valley—is seeking a downtown makeover. Like a number of small towns throughout the state, it’s taking a holistic approach when it comes to planning its new look.

While some portions of Monte Vista’s downtown have been revamped in recent years through improved streetscaping and the efforts of local business owners, the city’s main business district remains mostly a hodgepodge of storefronts. Local traffic and the steady hum of highway traffic on U.S. 285 through the middle of town also make for an uncomfortable mix at some of the city’s main intersections.

So last year Monte Vista hired the Colorado Springs branch of Nolte Associates, a multidisciplinary engineering and master-planning firm headquartered in Englewood, to develop the preliminary plan to revitalize the city’s downtown business district. 
Planners hope to calm traffic in a five-block stretch of downtown by reducing the number of traffic lanes and adding more pedestrian-friendly features. The goal is to promote a better walking environment and create more of a “downtown experience” for residents and visitors.

Planning began in November, with a preliminary design expected this spring. As part of the process, Nolte’s staff will conduct a sustainable assessment of the area from First Avenue between Monroe Street and U.S. Highway 285/South Broadway Street, a professional evaluation specifically developed by the firm. Nolte will also document traffic flow with photos and solicit input from downtown property owners and other stakeholders.

“It is important that we work closely with the city staff, downtown property owners and community members from the beginning of the planning process,” says Michael Hussey, planning manager for Nolte.

Monte Vista is one of a growing number of gateway communities investing in its future through downtown business district revitalization programs. Nolte Associates has also led recent successful downtown revitalizations in Manitou Springs and Lyons.

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In the late 1990s, Manitou Springs found itself in a critical situation. Tourism was down, the town’s aging infrastructure needed repairs, tax revenues were declining and community pride was waning. Centralized leadership and a lack of funding hindered the city’s future. Town leaders needed a fresh vision to guide the community’s revitalization.

To reverse the situation, a sustainable design was developed, along with some essential collaborations that led to funding. Today, the town’s roads, buildings and walkways have been repaired or rebuilt, unsightly overhead utility lines were buried, and a central traffic lane, which serves as a left turn and delivery truck parking lane, was created to improve traffic flow through downtown. New businesses have opened and public art is displayed, creating a more walkable community that retains its historic character.

“We are pleased to have been part of a diverse team for revitalizing a historic Colorado community,” says Nolte Principal Roger Miller. “Being able to design and engineer a project that will sustain the community demonstrates what can be achieved when parties work in partnership.”

Manitou Springs Mayor Marcy Morrison agreed. 

“The project is truly an outstanding example of partnering between the private and public sector,” Morrison says. “All the efforts of this project have made my job as mayor much easier.”

For its efforts, the Manitou Springs project team was awarded a 2006 Governor’s Award from the Colorado Community Revitalization Association.

Lyons Streetscape

Further north along the Front Range, staff from Nolte’s Denver office have completed several major components for the town of Lyons’ $4 million downtown redevelopment.

Last March, the town received a grant to develop the first phase of the Downtown Streetscape Project. Nolte incorporated sustainable elements into the redevelopment plan, including reuse of existing buildings and infrastructure and the proposed use of local sandstone for portions of the new streetscape. The urban design will strive to maintain the flavor of the town. As such, any new streetlights installed downtown will be the same size and style as those already in place.

Plans also call for a wayfinding program to improve pedestrian and vehicular circulation and a maintenance program to keep the improvements in good condition for years to come.

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