The Denverite team set out camping chairs and a banner on 16th Street last weekend to assess the outcome of the city’s ambitious $175 million revitalization of the pedestrian mall.
The event, known as the 16th Street Summer Kickoff, attracted thousands of residents, old-timers, transplants, and visitors, eager to see the new changes and experience the atmosphere once more.
Many long-time Denver residents expressed a sense of nostalgia and hope as they returned to the mall after years of avoidance due to concerns about safety and homelessness.
Brian Goffinski, a child of the ‘80s and ‘90s, reminisced about the mall being a full-day destination but noted that he and others had shunned the area in recent years due to increasing violence and a long stretch of construction.
“It got so bad down here. I wouldn’t come down here on the weekend evening,” Goffinski stated while visiting with LeElla Cabral.
Nancy Batty, who has been a Denver resident for 30 years, shared her disappointment, saying, “It used to be a place that I could come with my friends to enjoy shopping and all kinds of entertainment, all of which is gone now. It’s been really sad to feel it fall.”
The goal for city officials and downtown advocates was to draw people back to the area, and the turnout appeared promising, with the Downtown Denver Partnership reporting about 40,000 visitors over the weekend.
Visitors flocked to various attractions, including 16th Street, kids’ zones, and a beer garden.
For many, the event rekindled their memories and connection to the mall, with Batty noting, “You feel that hope. Well, look at how many people have turned out today. Clearly, so many other Denverites have missed it and have wanted to be able to come back.”
However, amidst the excitement, a common question arose: What has actually changed?
Despite the invigorated atmosphere, many visitors felt the mall remained fundamentally similar to its original state.
The most noticeable change involved the central configuration of the bus lanes, which were previously separated and now cluster down the center of the pedestrian strip.
This alteration might positively affect the pedestrian experience, particularly since the city transitioned to electric buses in 2017, reducing noise and pollution.
In addition to this layout change, the city has laid nearly one million new pavers over the street.
The original, intricately designed rattlesnake pattern, envisioned by architect I.M. Pei, had become difficult to maintain over the years.
The new design, with smaller pavers, pays homage to its predecessor while promising easier upkeep and maintenance.
Other enhancements include improved seating areas, mini-play structures for children, and newly planted trees, alongside an array of public art such as stainless steel aspen trees and an upcoming translucent acrylic canopy at 16th and Glenarm Place.
Moreover, the underground infrastructure has been completely updated, bringing modernized water, sewer, and fiber utilities beneath the surface.
LeElla Cabral expressed her satisfaction with the improvements, mentioning, “I like the fact that they’ve got more security guards and police officers. I like the fact that they have more seating.”
For Andy, a Denverite staff member, the entire experience mirrored that of a remastered film: familiar enough to spark memories, yet polished and upgraded.
Visiting Denverite reader Yolanda Neal described the changes as “actually amazing,” expressing her intention to return with her family.
Despite the positive reception, there are still issues to address.
A notable point of concern for visitors was the lack of public restrooms.
Goffinski pointed out, “There’s no restrooms. There’s none really, even on the mall to use, that are they’re public.”
The only permanent public restrooms are located at Skyline Park near the clocktower.
Another design aspect drawing criticism was the curbs surrounding the depressed bus lanes.
Many visitors found the curb markings and color scheme confusing, making it difficult to identify the transition between pedestrian areas and bus lanes, resulting in several near-misses and stumbles during the event.
Additionally, the absence of the beloved street pianos from previous years created a void that some missed.
Interestingly, contrary to the contemporary stereotype of urban dwellers being primarily young, many enthusiastic visitors to the kickoff event were retirees.
Several couples shared how they had relocated from the suburbs to enjoy the downtown lifestyle, capitalizing on their newfound financial freedom.
Lynn Buschhoff, a retired schoolteacher, noted her excitement about seeing the mall come to life again, having witnessed the gradual completion of the construction.
Her husband, Fred, added, “We like the energy, we like the choices that we have here. A lot of variety.”
Despite the event’s initial success, lingering questions remain regarding the mall’s sustainability throughout the year.
While the turnout during the kickoff was promising, visitors John and Katrina Zaunders from Australia expressed concern over the seemingly empty office blocks during their weekday visit and the lack of foot traffic.
“All the office blocks, we didn’t see anyone going in and out,” John observed.
He was correct; downtown Denver is facing an office vacancy rate of around 27%, and a noticeable number of storefronts line 16th Street with ‘available for lease’ signs.
“Yeah, they’re mostly empty or available for lease,” John added.
As Goffinski pointed out, the mall faces increased competition from various attractions surrounding Denver compared to years past.
“Now, there’s so many other things to do around Denver in the surrounding areas,” he noted.
As the event concluded, it was clear that maintaining consistent attendance at 16th Street remains a pressing challenge.
Cabral emphasized that the potential for success lies in future visits, saying, “I would have to come back next weekend when all the vendors are gone, and just see how it feels, what it looks like with nobody here.”
Leo Falcone voiced a solution, insisting the city must facilitate ongoing events and programming to keep the mall vibrant, echoing the plans of city boosters.
The Downtown Denver Partnership aims to offer a robust summer calendar filled with events, large and small, in an effort to sustain the momentum achieved during the kickoff.
“I would wish for it to be like this on 16th Street multiple times a month,” Falcone commented as he watched the crowds spill past.
Yet, he also noted the rising costs associated with going out, which can deter some visitors.
“Everything costs money. But as far as taking a walk goes, it’s nice.”
image source from：https://denverite.com/2025/06/06/16th-street-mall-reopens/
