Next comes the Phoenix - Urban Renewal
“… the community pulling together has regained its well deserved status of
excellence in the colorful spectrum of Colorado vacation destinations. The town
received more than a face lift through the funding of its hometown Urban Renewal
District. … a beautiful downtown of function and form emerged from this
complete makeover. It is bright and welcoming as is the restored confidence and
attitude of its people.”ii
Town Board. On May 27th, 1983, the same Board approved the Estes Park
Downtown Redevelopment Plan for the revitalization of the downtown. A Board of
Commissioners, separate from the Board of Trustees was appointed in June, 1983.
The funding mechanism was to be the incremental increases of sales
taxes generated by businesses within the Urban Renewal District. This funding
mechanism allowed for bonds to be issued by the Authority.
The first major projects were to be Streetscape I (West Elkhorn Ave.),
Streetscape II (East Elkhorn Ave.), and Riverside Plaza.
After significant public involvement, Streetscape I was constructed between
February and June, 1984. Streetscape I included widened sidewalks, sidewalk
sections using brick pavers as well as concrete, street trees, planters, plaza
areas, streetlights.
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| Downtown looking west pre-Streetscape ... a pretty barren
looking place. |
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West Elkhorn after Streetscape. Trees, wider sidewalks,
planters and benches make Elkhorn a much more pleasant place to be. |
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East Elkhorn before Streetscape, more a place for cars than
for people. |
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East Elkhorn after Streetscape, now very much more a place
for people. |
EPURA Page 2
ii Sadness in Sunshine "The Flood of Estes
Park" Hank Pederson, Jr. 1995
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