FOR RELEASE: Three of five blocks completed along the 4th Street Heart Improvement Plan corridor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three of five blocks completed along the 4th Street Heart Improvement Plan corridor
LOVELAND, Colo. – March 11, 2026 – A third block along the 4th Street corridor will reopen to motorists and pedestrians tomorrow. To celebrate, the Loveland Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will host a block party in conjunction with the Bluegrass & Brews Festival on Friday, June 5.
The DDA will be expanding this festival experience to a two-day event for an official grand opening. The upgraded section features improved accessibility, refreshed streetscapes and a more welcoming environment for businesses, residents and visitors alike. As the block reopens, the community is encouraged to come downtown, explore the improvements and support the local businesses along the corridor ahead of the official grand opening celebration.
From left to right: Chris and his dog, Downtown Resident, Lauren Miller, Lucky Dog Spa, Mathew Davis, The Extra Mile, Dan Wiesner, The Extra Mile, Dion Leman, The Extra Mile, Josie Bjorklund, Loveland Aleworks, Dr. Coery Bernhardt, Bernhardt Vision, Kari Klapper, Loveland Aleworks, Nick Callaway, Loveland Aleworks, Margarita Holland, XAAK’s Barbershop, James Holland, XAAK’s Barbershop. “Completing the third block of the Heart Improvement Plan is a major milestone for Downtown Loveland. This section of 4th Street has often felt ‘disconnected’ from the greater downtown. With the new design, we are pleased to create stronger connectivity and ensure this block feels like a natural extension to the rest of 4th Street,” said Loveland Downtown Development Director Sean Hawkins. “Every section we wrap up brings new energy, improved accessibility and a stronger foundation for our businesses. We’re excited to welcome the community back to this newly reopened stretch of 4th Street and look forward to celebrating its official grand opening on June 5 as we kick off the Bluegrass & Brews Festival.”
“This milestone represents an important step in bringing the vision for the Heart Improvement Plan to life,” said Public Works Director Will Jones. “We appreciate the community’s patience and support of the local businesses during construction as we work to deliver improvements that will benefit downtown Loveland for years to come.”
Construction to the third block (referred to as Block 5 below and on maps), between Railroad Avenue and Garfield Avenue, began last May. Crews completed major underground utility upgrades, improving water, stormwater, power, telecommunications and gas systems. Above ground, streetscape improvements leveled sidewalks, enhanced pedestrian crossings and prioritized walkability to better support community events and local businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the remaining improvements for Blocks 1, 2 and 5?
While Blocks 1 and 2 have completed the critical updates to utility and streetscape infrastructure, the installation of landscaping, irrigation and catenary lighting will begin in April 2026 during warmer weather conditions. As part of Art in Public Places, the City of Loveland will install a selection of artworks along 4th Street once the project is completed.
Why will the block party take place during the Bluegrass & Brews Festival?
A grand opening event for the block will be held in coordination with the Bluegrass & Brews Festival, taking advantage of ideal weather conditions for an outdoor block party and the opportunity to reach a larger audience during the popular festival. The festival’s attendance reaches 10-12,000 people. The celebration will activate the block as it was designed and, in the future, it’s hoped it will be hosted at this location. Parking throughout downtown Loveland and the Foundry Parking Garage is available at lovgov.org/DowntownParking. For event details, visit downtownloveland.org/bluegrass-brews-festival.
What work is being completed along Railroad Avenue and 4th Street?
The bore project to install new waterlines beneath the BNSF Railroad has been completed, and crews have finished connecting the water lines on each side of the railway. Crews are expected to make the final connections to Blocks 4 and 5 toward the end of March, which will complete the new main waterline installation across all five blocks. The remaining surface improvements include new asphalt, pavers, lighting, sidewalks and landscaping, pending the BSNF surfacing permit.
What’s happening in Block 3 and 4?
Construction continues with working hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday with occasional Saturday work as needed. In Block 3, electrical work and extended power conduits have been completed for future light pole locations, along with pouring the concrete bases. Large sandstone art pedestals have been installed at the corners of the block. In Block 4, the roadway, curb and concrete removals are completed and have begun installing the new main waterline starting at the east end of the block.
When will Block 3 and 4 be complete?
Block 3 is anticipated to be completed by late summer 2026 and Block 4 before the holidays.
What’s the timeline for completing each block?
For both Phase 1A and Phase 1B, the remaining blocks are estimated to be completed within 8-to-10 months. Extended time may occur due to delays in materials or weather. Phase 1A is identified as utility infrastructure improvements. Once completed, the project enters the second phase, Phase 1B, which focuses on street enhancements.
How to stay in the loop
Additional project details including construction phasing maps, images and other project updates can be found at lovgov.org/HIPStreets. To stay informed throughout construction, stakeholders can sign up for the Heart Improvement Plan project newsletter at go.lovgov.org/SubscribetoHIP. For questions or to contact the project team, call the Public Works Department at 970-962-2524 or email HIPStreets@CityofLoveland.org.
About
In 2009, the City of Loveland Public Works Department developed the conceptual plan for the Heart Improvement Plan (HIP Streets), which explored opportunities to enhance the streets within the historic core of Downtown Loveland. In 2017, after gathering public input, the plan was modernized to include a thoughtful and cost-effective approach to revitalizing 19 core blocks of Downtown Loveland.
The first phase of the Heart Improvement Plan – the 4th Street Revitalization – addresses the five blocks along 4th Street that extend from N. Garfield Avenue to N. Washington Avenue. The current effort is focused on improving 4th Street through streetscape enhancements, while the City of Loveland Utilities Department works on upgrades to the infrastructure beneath the road. As this project is a significant effort, the City of Loveland and the Loveland Downtown Development Authority (DDA) have come together to finally bring this portion of the Heart Improvement Plan to fruition.
Project Funding
The Loveland City Council, with a unanimous vote, approved the Certificates of Participation (COPs) financing method providing funding for the Heart Improvement Plan’s 4th Street Revitalization project on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. The project will be funded using a combination of Utility Enterprise Funds and COPs. Utility Enterprise Funds (Stormwater, Water, and Power) will provide $12 million of the project cost, with the remaining $12.5 million funded by COPs. The total estimated program cost for the project is $24.5 million. No General Fund dollars will be utilized or allocated to construct this project.
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CONTACT: Illianna Milldrum, City of Loveland, Communication & Engagement Specialist
970-962-2608, Illianna.Milldrum@cityofloveland.org
Abby Powell, Downtown Development Authority, Assistant Director
970-541-0605, apowell@lovelandpartnership.org
