FOR RELEASE: Heart Improvement Plan will move to Lincoln Avenue and 4th Street for waterline tie-ins after the Fourth of July
City of Loveland, Colorado
MEDIA RELEASE
CONTACT: Illianna Milldrum, Communication and Engagement Specialist, 970-962-2608, Illianna.Milldrum@cityofloveland.org
Heart Improvement Plan will move to Lincoln Avenue and 4th Street for waterline tie-ins after the Fourth of July
LOVELAND, Colo. – June 30, 2025 – Weather permitting, the Heart Improvement Plan will begin waterline tie-in work at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and 4th Street following the Fourth of July holiday. To complete the necessary water and stormwater system extensions for Blocks 1 and 2, Lincoln Avenue will be reduced to a single northbound lane for approximately 12 weeks. Crews will shift the single lane as work progresses across the intersection. While access will be maintained along this major corridor, travelers should expect delays.
The project’s general working hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. While the project is under construction, business entrances and sidewalks remain open on 4th Street between Washington Avenue and N. Garfield Avenue.
Below are more specific Frequently Asked Questions that may be helpful.
Why will the work on Lincoln Avenue be under construction for 12 weeks?
To complete the final water and stormwater repairs for Blocks 1 and 2, the project will require connecting utility lines at the intersection. During this phase, one northbound travel lane on Lincoln will remain open to maintain traffic flow. Because the project must coordinate complex utility work while keeping traffic moving, additional time is needed. Utility repairs must happen in a set order—starting with water lines, then moving to gas, communication, and electrical lines—before we can improve the stormwater system. This order is required because of where the pipes are located underground. As these improvements are made, lanes will shift from east to west to accommodate the construction zones. Before construction begins, “No Park” signs will be placed between East 3rd Street and 4th Street.
Will there be any additional tree removals?
Tree removals for Blocks 1, 2, and 5 have been completed. The project will finish the remaining removals for Blocks 3 and 4 later this year, beginning with one of the largest trees located at the northwest corner of Lincoln Avenue and 4th Street.
During the design process, the City of Loveland conducted a thorough evaluation of the existing tree canopy in collaboration with the City’s Forestry Division. The first priority was always to preserve mature trees, when possible, as they provide significant value to public spaces. As part of this evaluation, the City’s Urban Forester assessed the health and condition of trees along all five blocks of 4th Street. Several trees were found to be in decline, and many overmature and increasingly susceptible to disease, pests, and storm damage creating potential public safety risks. A few healthier trees were considered for preservation, but their locations conflicted with planned infrastructure upgrades and would not have allowed for adequate protection during construction.
Recognizing the important role trees play in urban environments, the project includes key enhancements to support long-term tree health: an irrigation system, expanded planter areas, and enriched soils. A total of 54 new trees will be planted along the five-block corridor. This revitalized tree canopy, combined with improved growing conditions, represents a meaningful investment in the future of downtown, creating a vibrant and lasting community asset for generations to come.
For additional questions about the tree removals, the types of trees and flowers being planted, and how they’ll be cared for in the future, visit lovgov.org/HIPStreets.
When will the work at Lincoln Avenue and 4th Street be completed?
We anticipate this work to be completed by September 2025, weather permitting.
What are the recommended detour routes during the Lincoln Avenue and 4th Street work?
Motorists are encouraged to use E. 7th Street, E. 1st Street, Washington and Cleveland Avenues. Commuters should plan their routes accordingly and expect delays. Commuters may also reference the City of Loveland’s downtown map at lovgov.org/DowntownParking to find free, available parking throughout construction.
What’s next after Lincoln Avenue and 4th Street’s work?
Utility work on Block 5 will continue with Phase 1A with utility improvements and Blocks 1 and 2 will transition into Phase 1B the first week of July 7 with streetscape enhancements. Streetscape enhancements include curb, gutter, sidewalks, seat walls, planters, and light pole bases.
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 with Blocks 1 and 2 scheduled for completion in late fall 2025.
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 followed by construction on 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.
When will the project transition to Blocks 3 and 4?
Blocks 3 and 4 will begin in Fall 2025. During this time, Blocks 1 and 2 should be completed with Phase 1B’s streetscape enhancements.
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 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 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.
