FOR RELEASE: Heart Improvement Plan prepares for Block 5 construction on May 12
City of Loveland, Colorado
MEDIA RELEASE
CONTACTS: Illianna Milldrum, Communication and Engagement Specialist, 970-962-2608, Illianna.Milldrum@cityofloveland.org
Heart Improvement Plan prepares for Block 5 construction on May 12
LOVELAND, Colo. – May 2, 2025 – The Heart Improvement Plan will begin work on Block 5 (W. Railroad Avenue to N. Garfield Avenue) starting Monday, May 12, weather permitting. Preparations include a closure from W. Railroad Avenue to N. Garfield Avenue from crosswalk to crosswalk. Block 5 will begin with milling operations by removing asphalt and then water line improvements. During the closure, vehicular traffic will not be accessible; however, pedestrian fencing will be installed to allow walkability through the site and maintain business access.
Additionally, crews will focus on removing planters and preparing the site with concrete cuts into sidewalks and curbs. The project’s general working hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What’s the construction schedule now for Blocks 1, 2 and 5?
Construction will continue on Blocks 1 and 2 for the remaining utility and streetscape improvements over the next several months. Blocks 1 and 2 are scheduled to be fully completed in late fall 2025. Following the same sequence as Blocks 1 and 2, Block 5 will enter Phase 1A with utility improvements, followed by Phase 1B with streetscape enhancements. Phase 1A and 1B work are projected to be completed within six to eight months.
What traffic impacts can be expected during Block 5?
Traffic should follow posted detours to safely navigate around the Block 5 closure. This phase will also include short-term sidewalk closures, during which mid-block crossings will be installed to help minimize walking distances to all businesses. Posted detour signs will be in place to help navigate the area. Businesses will remain accessible for pedestrian access. Pedestrians will be directed through the construction zone using designated fencing.
What are the detour routes for the Block 5 closure?
During the closure, motorists are encouraged to use the designated detour routes via E. 7th Street, E. 1st Street, Lincoln Avenue, and Cleveland Avenue. Local access will be maintained for those within the construction zone. Throughout the duration of construction, pedestrian access will be maintained but rerouted around the active construction areas based on the current phase of work. Commuters should plan their routes accordingly and expect delays.
Why is Block 5 overlapping with Blocks 1 and 2?
In partnership with the DDA and local business owners, the construction schedule was designed to minimize disruption to local businesses while maximizing construction efficiencies by dividing the project into five blocks. Construction began with Block 1 and Block 2, the next segments to the project will be Block 5, Block 3, and Block 4. Throughout the project, construction on different blocks will overlap, with work starting on some blocks while others are still in progress.
What’s next for Block 1?
To date, the City of Loveland’s water utility division has completed utility infrastructure improvements in Block 1, which connected new waterlines to existing lines from Washington to Jefferson Avenue. Additionally, the project has installed 675 linear feet of new water main and 13 water service lines. Although Block 1 has completed the waterline improvements, the project will need to install the remaining utilities for Phase 1A. After these improvements are completed, Phase 1B will occur in summer 2025. The Phase 1B streetscape enhancements include sidewalk improvements, landscaping, planters and site amenities.
When will Blocks 1 and 2 be completed?
Each phase, including Phase 1A and Phase 1B, is expected to last between six and eight months total with Blocks 1 and 2 scheduled for completion in late fall 2025.
How to support the Heart Improvement Plan’s 4th Street revitalization project?
As construction progresses along 4th Street, the City of Loveland and Loveland Downtown Development Authority are dedicated to providing comprehensive support to downtown businesses during construction. To help business owners effectively communicate with customers about key details such as construction schedules, road closures, parking options, and project outcomes, a Downtown Loveland Business Owner’s Toolkit has been developed. This toolkit includes customizable Canva templates for social media, print signage, parking maps, and FAQs, along with communication tips to help businesses share important updates with customers throughout the construction process. Downtown Business Owners are encouraged to visit downtownloveland.org/heart-improvement-plan to access this toolkit.
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 about this project or to contact the project team, call Public Works at 970-962-2524 or email HIPStreets@CityofLoveland.org.
About
In 2009, the City of Loveland 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 Water and Power Department works on upgrades to the utility 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 Funds will be utilized or allocated to construct this project.
