DENVER (KDVR) — The director of a downtown Denver nonprofit says the key to downtown revitalization could be in the form of a gondola system.
Ryan Ross is the director of New Denver Downtown, Inc. On Sunday, he publicly unveiled his plans for downtown revitalization, entitled “Downtown Revitalization Project.”
“The idea is to revitalize all of downtown,” said Ross, speaking from his office that overlooks the 16th Street Mall.
Most notably, the project includes plans for moving sidewalks, an outdoor/indoor amphitheater and a three-loop gondola system.
“We don’t need buses on the mall,” he said.
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Illustrations of the gondolas, sidewalks and amphitheater proposed by New Denver Downtown, Inc. (Courtesy artist Ted Garcia) -
Illustrations of the gondolas, sidewalks and amphitheater proposed by New Denver Downtown, Inc. (Courtesy artist Ted Garcia) -
Illustrations of the gondolas, sidewalks and amphitheater proposed by New Denver Downtown, Inc. (Courtesy artist Ted Garcia) -
Illustrations of the gondolas, sidewalks and amphitheater proposed by New Denver Downtown, Inc. (Courtesy artist Ted Garcia)
The estimated cost for the project, according to Ross, is a half-billion dollars, which he said could be financed with bonds, federal grants and local partnerships. Ross said the project could take place anywhere in the downtown area.
The 16th Street Mall first opened in 1982.
Ross said he has had one, initial discussion with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s team.
A spokesperson for Johnston said, in a statement:
“While we have not, yet, reviewed this specific application, Denver is looking forward to exploring all creative and productive applications submitted.”
Additional information on the proposal is available from info@newdowntowndenver.org.
