Architects push to make Denver's Santa Fe Arts District more pedestrian friendly

Kyle Gray busks in front of An Urban Patio on Friday night, March 2, 2012, during First Fridays on Santa Fe Drive. (THE DENVER POST | Seth A. McConnell)

A group of architects has developed a plan for the Santa Fe Arts District that it hopes will spur the city into making the neighborhood more pedestrian friendly.

Improving the walkability along Santa Fe Drive between West Sixth and West 10th avenues would make the neighborhood more appealing to developers, said Mark Raeburn, principal of Hangar 41, an architectural firm formed in 2010 and located in the arts district.

"Art districts tend to be catalysts for development," said Raeburn, who will present the plan at a private event this evening to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, various city agencies, the Denver Housing Authority and several local developers.

The plan also calls for improvements to 10th Avenue between

Heather Heick takes a moment to look at the paintings on the wall at the Galleries at 501 while exhibiting her work Friday night, March 2, 2012, during First Fridays on Santa Fe Drive. (THE DENVER POST | Seth A. McConnell)

"The connection between the light-rail station and the arts district is seen as a critical element for the neighborhood's success," said Kimball Crangle, project manager for the redevelopment of 10th between Osage and Mariposa streets, which is controlled by the DHA. "Connectivity is something that's not that far out of reach. We envisioned a promenade from 10th and Osage to Mariposa. It makes so much sense to carry it down to Santa Fe. Thoughtful design could really help solidify the effectiveness of the promenade."

NEWSED Community Development owns buildings on 10th and Mariposa. Hangar 41 worked on the vision with the help of NEWSED, which provided various master plans developed for the district dating to 1975, including one from the city in 2010 that suggested making Santa Fe a two-way street.

Though opening Santa Fe to two-way traffic is a good idea, it's not likely to happen because the Colorado Department of Transportation controls the street, Raeburn said.

What Hangar 41 envisions is removing one traffic lane, which would widen the narrow and difficult-to-maneuver sidewalks and calm traffic. If removing a traffic lane isn't possible, Raeburn said a "flex" lane could work, which would allow traffic during rush hour and parking during off-peak travel times.

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Architects push to make Denver's Santa Fe Arts District more pedestrian friendly