Main Avenue Streetscape Project

‘The best streets are those that can be remembered. They leave strong, long continuing positive impressions. Thinking of a city, including one’s own, one might well think of a particular street and have a desire to be there; such a street is memorable.’
Allan Jacob, Great Streets

The City of Durango’s Downtown Sidewalk Design Project scope of work wisely builds upon the findings and recommendations of the Downtown Vision and Strategic Plan completed in 2006. The Vision Plan fundamentally addressed the need to create a pedestrian-friendly environment along Main Avenue’s central business district to retain a safe and attractive atmosphere downtown.

While the Plan went on to describe alternatives to create a pedestrian-friendly environment, which includes the replacement and enhancement of existing concrete sidewalks and consideration for curb-less streetscapes and pedestrian bulb-outs, it also allows the City to address other related issues, such as:

• Street light and electrical services upgrades
• Improved decorative street tree lighting connections
• Street tree removal/replacement and irrigation system design
• Protection of sidewalk pavement with new street trees
• Storm drainage system design upgrades
• Curb line locations and storm sewer pipe replacement
• Subsurface basement structures
• Street furniture and amenities
• Newspaper racks, seat benches, informational displays, cigarette urns, etc.
• Consolidation of parking meters and signage to reduce street clutter
• Wayfinding and signage design coordination
• Outdoor café spaces
• On-street parking and loading zones

The Main Avenue Sidewalk Design Project is a critically important project for Downtown Durango. With many sections of the pedestrian area falling in disrepair, reconstruction of sidewalks is without question a high priority. Yet Main Avenue has also a more qualitative aspect to consider – representing the unique cultural heritage and community civic life of Durango and serving as our living room to visitors and locals alike. As local professionals who live and work in Durango, we understand how important it is to strengthen our downtown’s role, to help preserve a sustainable and economically viable downtown and keep our Main Avenue safe and friendly.