It’s A Critical Moment For Improvements On Colfax
BID Director Hilarie Portell: ‘This is really a long time coming’
By Cara DeGette
GPHN Editor
![](http://greaterparkhill.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/4.17.Colfax.BID_.Fairfax-Ped-300x186.jpg)
The next 90 days, says Hilarie Portell, marks a critical timeline for the future of the stretch of Colfax between Eudora Street and Monaco Parkway.
The stretch of long-neglected roadway that marks the southern border of Park Hill is among 250 proposed projects citywide that are being considered for a $500 million to $600 million million general obligation bond package that will go before voters in November.
“I feel like we’re in as strong a position as we can we be,” says Portell, director of the Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District. “We have a business improvement district in place that is willing to take on funding so the city can leverage public funding for long-term maintenance. This is really valuable. And we fortunately, have very strong neighborhood support.”
Among that support is a $10,000 commitment from Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. The board of the registered neighborhood organization pledged the support in January, 2016 to apply for improvements to the intersection at Colfax and Fairfax. The BID also wants to move forward with numerous street improvements along the boundaries of the Business Improvement District, which stretches from Eudora to Monaco Parkway.
Colfax Avenue, Portell notes, is one of the most dangerous stretches of roadway in the city. Its physical design – with broad travel lanes, and lack of markers, pedestrian lights and lack of trees – needs to be addressed both for safety and for aesthetics. This section of Colfax, she said, has not received funding for improvements for 40 to 50 years. And, the mayor has identified transportation and mobility issues as a major priority.
“This is really a long time coming,” she says.
“We have a gap in our tree canopy [along Colfax] and it leads to an uncomfortable environment for people who are walking in and out of businesses. It can also lead to stormwater runoff issues – we need to consider all these improvements,” Portell says.
The Colfax Mayfair BID is seeking a total of $7 million for improvements. It has also teamed up with several other improvement districts along Colfax that are seeking funding. The key improvements include:
• Improved crosswalks
• Pedestrian lighting
• Median and sidewalk repair
• Pavers at intersections
• Street trees & green space
• Benches
• Trash cans
• Identity markers
The improvements would then be maintained by the business improvement districts. Bike racks and public art would be funded separately.
Over the next three months, committee members will consider the Colfax Mayfair BID proposals as part of the larger package of projects. If it makes the final cut, it will be one of 250 projects that Denver voters will vote on for funding in November.
Portell noted that readers can find updates about the progress at the Colfax Mayfair BID Facebook page, as well as register for email updates at www.colfaxmayfairbid.com. Additional information about the Colfax project, as well as other projects that are under consideration for bond funding and information about upcoming committee meetings, can be found at denvergov.org/2017GObond.