Heart Improvement Project (HIP Streets)

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In 2009, the City Public Works Department completed the HIP (Heart Improvement Program) Streets Master Plan for the historic core of downtown. This effort focuses on the 4th Street portion of the HIP Street project. In 2017, with the help of public input, the plan was modernized to ensure changes were captured for the plan. Today, the HIP Streets Master Plan begins its final stages of gathering public input, design renderings and offering a further look into bringing an exciting feature to downtown Loveland. The larger HIP Streets Masterplan envisions improvements to the core 19-blocks of downtown Loveland. For the purpose of this project, planning for this location focuses on the five block areas along 4th Street that extends from Garfield to Washington Ave.

Project Vision

Create a functional, aesthetically pleasing, eclectic Downtown environment that facilitates business vitality, fosters a sense of community, and accentuates the identity of the Downtown commercial district.

Incorporate streetscaping as part of an existing major infrastructure project to minimize business impact and improve the built environment.

Project Impacts

Public input gathering for this project will happen over several months.

  • From August through December 2023, the City of Loveland will work with Ditesco Services to gather feedback on design for streetscape improvements.
  • Once design is finalized in early to mid-2024, additional feedback will be collected to inform the best way to phase the project and to address ways the City of Loveland can minimize impacts to surrounding businesses during construction.

By early 2025, the City of Loveland aims to begin construction, starting with underground water and stormwater utility improvements. Once infrastructure improvements are complete, the City of Loveland will focus on surface improvements determined by the streetscape design. Between utility and streetscape improvements, each block is anticipated to take six to eight months to construct.

Pedestrian access to 4th Street businesses will remain open throughout the project, however, the road will be closed to vehicular traffic. Visitors can access the corridor by parking in lots along 5th Street and by using other nearby designated on-street parking. Visit the downtown parking webpage for a map of available parking options.

Updates

  • Adopted concept plans (2009)
  • Parking studies (2018/2019)
  • Revised modernization plan (2017)
  • Infrastructure assessment (2019)
  • 4th Street construction design and drawings (2023)
    • Parking study updated
    • Present updated plans to LRFA, City Planning Commission, Loveland Parks and Recreation, APP, City Management and DDA Board (07/2023-08/2023)
    • First Open House at The Foundry to review public input (08/23/2023)
    • Second Open House at the Desk Chair Workspace to gather additional input (12/12/2023)

Project Goals

  • Focus on Economic Vitality
    • Attract new downtown visitors and patrons to encourage tourism
    • Minimize construction disruption
    • Finish the project with no business loss or claims
    • Allow for efficient access, parking and circulation
    • Catalyze business potential in under-utilized areas
  • Create a Comfortable and Inviting Downtown Experience Unique to Loveland
    • Create a safe environment that is activated at night and day
    • Develop a vibrant, engaging and unique streetscape as a regional destination
    • Capitalize on artistic spirit and attitude towards placemaking
    • Build upon the unique Downtown Loveland identity
    • Incorporate art and culture in design and user experience
    • Identity and History, unique to Loveland
  • Create a Flexible and Adaptable Streetscape
    • Flexible and functional space for a variety of uses
    • Allow for ease of seasonal programming needs
    • Inviting and appealing place for a broad demographic to stimulate diverse businesses
    • Design and build an easily maintained space
    • Create more safe and comfortable walking/pedestrian zones
  • Foster Partnerships for Long Term Success
    • Provide for sustained stakeholder engagement
    • Ensure Downtown Business support throughout project

In 2009, the City Public Works Department completed the HIP (Heart Improvement Program) Streets Master Plan for the historic core of downtown. This effort focuses on the 4th Street portion of the HIP Street project. In 2017, with the help of public input, the plan was modernized to ensure changes were captured for the plan. Today, the HIP Streets Master Plan begins its final stages of gathering public input, design renderings and offering a further look into bringing an exciting feature to downtown Loveland. The larger HIP Streets Masterplan envisions improvements to the core 19-blocks of downtown Loveland. For the purpose of this project, planning for this location focuses on the five block areas along 4th Street that extends from Garfield to Washington Ave.

Project Vision

Create a functional, aesthetically pleasing, eclectic Downtown environment that facilitates business vitality, fosters a sense of community, and accentuates the identity of the Downtown commercial district.

Incorporate streetscaping as part of an existing major infrastructure project to minimize business impact and improve the built environment.

Project Impacts

Public input gathering for this project will happen over several months.

  • From August through December 2023, the City of Loveland will work with Ditesco Services to gather feedback on design for streetscape improvements.
  • Once design is finalized in early to mid-2024, additional feedback will be collected to inform the best way to phase the project and to address ways the City of Loveland can minimize impacts to surrounding businesses during construction.

By early 2025, the City of Loveland aims to begin construction, starting with underground water and stormwater utility improvements. Once infrastructure improvements are complete, the City of Loveland will focus on surface improvements determined by the streetscape design. Between utility and streetscape improvements, each block is anticipated to take six to eight months to construct.

Pedestrian access to 4th Street businesses will remain open throughout the project, however, the road will be closed to vehicular traffic. Visitors can access the corridor by parking in lots along 5th Street and by using other nearby designated on-street parking. Visit the downtown parking webpage for a map of available parking options.

Updates

  • Adopted concept plans (2009)
  • Parking studies (2018/2019)
  • Revised modernization plan (2017)
  • Infrastructure assessment (2019)
  • 4th Street construction design and drawings (2023)
    • Parking study updated
    • Present updated plans to LRFA, City Planning Commission, Loveland Parks and Recreation, APP, City Management and DDA Board (07/2023-08/2023)
    • First Open House at The Foundry to review public input (08/23/2023)
    • Second Open House at the Desk Chair Workspace to gather additional input (12/12/2023)

Project Goals

  • Focus on Economic Vitality
    • Attract new downtown visitors and patrons to encourage tourism
    • Minimize construction disruption
    • Finish the project with no business loss or claims
    • Allow for efficient access, parking and circulation
    • Catalyze business potential in under-utilized areas
  • Create a Comfortable and Inviting Downtown Experience Unique to Loveland
    • Create a safe environment that is activated at night and day
    • Develop a vibrant, engaging and unique streetscape as a regional destination
    • Capitalize on artistic spirit and attitude towards placemaking
    • Build upon the unique Downtown Loveland identity
    • Incorporate art and culture in design and user experience
    • Identity and History, unique to Loveland
  • Create a Flexible and Adaptable Streetscape
    • Flexible and functional space for a variety of uses
    • Allow for ease of seasonal programming needs
    • Inviting and appealing place for a broad demographic to stimulate diverse businesses
    • Design and build an easily maintained space
    • Create more safe and comfortable walking/pedestrian zones
  • Foster Partnerships for Long Term Success
    • Provide for sustained stakeholder engagement
    • Ensure Downtown Business support throughout project

Questions and Answers

Have a question about the project? Ask it below and we'll follow-up shortly!

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  • Share Who are the designers working on this project? And when is the next open house to see the updated designs? on Facebook Share Who are the designers working on this project? And when is the next open house to see the updated designs? on Twitter Share Who are the designers working on this project? And when is the next open house to see the updated designs? on Linkedin Email Who are the designers working on this project? And when is the next open house to see the updated designs? link

    Who are the designers working on this project? And when is the next open house to see the updated designs?

    Kim Knowles asked 3 months ago

    Thanks for reaching out and taking an interest in this project. 

    We currently have three companies coming together to work on various aspects of the project:

    • Ditesco is our project management consulting firm.  
    • Russell + Mills is the landscape designer. 
    • CCG is the Civil Engineer.


    We are working on details for the next open house but we anticipate there will likely be a city-wide transportation projects fair that happens late spring / early summer. Details are yet to be determined so stay tuned!

  • Share I agree with some of the concerns below with the mix of pedestrian walkways vs. vehicular traffic. I feel the biggest bang for downtown would be a walking mall which would differentiate downtown Loveland from the other neighboring towns. It would also provide (middle of the walking mall) room for individual kiosks for more different types of business (do not duplicate products of the permanent businesses). on Facebook Share I agree with some of the concerns below with the mix of pedestrian walkways vs. vehicular traffic. I feel the biggest bang for downtown would be a walking mall which would differentiate downtown Loveland from the other neighboring towns. It would also provide (middle of the walking mall) room for individual kiosks for more different types of business (do not duplicate products of the permanent businesses). on Twitter Share I agree with some of the concerns below with the mix of pedestrian walkways vs. vehicular traffic. I feel the biggest bang for downtown would be a walking mall which would differentiate downtown Loveland from the other neighboring towns. It would also provide (middle of the walking mall) room for individual kiosks for more different types of business (do not duplicate products of the permanent businesses). on Linkedin Email I agree with some of the concerns below with the mix of pedestrian walkways vs. vehicular traffic. I feel the biggest bang for downtown would be a walking mall which would differentiate downtown Loveland from the other neighboring towns. It would also provide (middle of the walking mall) room for individual kiosks for more different types of business (do not duplicate products of the permanent businesses). link

    I agree with some of the concerns below with the mix of pedestrian walkways vs. vehicular traffic. I feel the biggest bang for downtown would be a walking mall which would differentiate downtown Loveland from the other neighboring towns. It would also provide (middle of the walking mall) room for individual kiosks for more different types of business (do not duplicate products of the permanent businesses).

    frolfes asked about 2 months ago

    Thanks for providing project feedback.

  • Share I unfortunately have not been able to attend to any of the public discussions about this project and while overall excited I do not understand why fourth is not being converted to a pedestrian only area. If the goal is improving the experience and bring in more tourism a pedestrian only area with inviting restaurant fronts and outdoor seating would serve this purpose as intensely (thinking Pearl St in Boulder). Just my thoughts but the idea of a traffic free zone sounds beyond appealing. I also agree with others on working to lower the speed limit and bring in more pedestrian crossings. on Facebook Share I unfortunately have not been able to attend to any of the public discussions about this project and while overall excited I do not understand why fourth is not being converted to a pedestrian only area. If the goal is improving the experience and bring in more tourism a pedestrian only area with inviting restaurant fronts and outdoor seating would serve this purpose as intensely (thinking Pearl St in Boulder). Just my thoughts but the idea of a traffic free zone sounds beyond appealing. I also agree with others on working to lower the speed limit and bring in more pedestrian crossings. on Twitter Share I unfortunately have not been able to attend to any of the public discussions about this project and while overall excited I do not understand why fourth is not being converted to a pedestrian only area. If the goal is improving the experience and bring in more tourism a pedestrian only area with inviting restaurant fronts and outdoor seating would serve this purpose as intensely (thinking Pearl St in Boulder). Just my thoughts but the idea of a traffic free zone sounds beyond appealing. I also agree with others on working to lower the speed limit and bring in more pedestrian crossings. on Linkedin Email I unfortunately have not been able to attend to any of the public discussions about this project and while overall excited I do not understand why fourth is not being converted to a pedestrian only area. If the goal is improving the experience and bring in more tourism a pedestrian only area with inviting restaurant fronts and outdoor seating would serve this purpose as intensely (thinking Pearl St in Boulder). Just my thoughts but the idea of a traffic free zone sounds beyond appealing. I also agree with others on working to lower the speed limit and bring in more pedestrian crossings. link

    I unfortunately have not been able to attend to any of the public discussions about this project and while overall excited I do not understand why fourth is not being converted to a pedestrian only area. If the goal is improving the experience and bring in more tourism a pedestrian only area with inviting restaurant fronts and outdoor seating would serve this purpose as intensely (thinking Pearl St in Boulder). Just my thoughts but the idea of a traffic free zone sounds beyond appealing. I also agree with others on working to lower the speed limit and bring in more pedestrian crossings.

    CRedd asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for providing feedback on the project.  

  • Share Why no bike lanes? on Facebook Share Why no bike lanes? on Twitter Share Why no bike lanes? on Linkedin Email Why no bike lanes? link

    Why no bike lanes?

    KenT asked about 2 months ago

    The width of the corridor, between buildings, is not wide enough to accommodate a dedicated bike lane. Bikes are intended to merge with traffic through sharrows along 4th Street. A sharrow is an area of road where bikes merge with vehicular traffic and share the road. In Colorado, motorists and bicyclists share the road and both have equal rights. CDOT has more information about bike and vehicle laws on its website (External link).

  • Share How much is this project going to cost in 2024? on Facebook Share How much is this project going to cost in 2024? on Twitter Share How much is this project going to cost in 2024? on Linkedin Email How much is this project going to cost in 2024? link

    How much is this project going to cost in 2024?

    Darin Barrett asked 5 months ago

    Good question. We will try to get an answer for you.

  • Share How much of my tax money will be going to this? What benefit is it to me as a taxpayer? on Facebook Share How much of my tax money will be going to this? What benefit is it to me as a taxpayer? on Twitter Share How much of my tax money will be going to this? What benefit is it to me as a taxpayer? on Linkedin Email How much of my tax money will be going to this? What benefit is it to me as a taxpayer? link

    How much of my tax money will be going to this? What benefit is it to me as a taxpayer?

    Dustin asked 9 months ago

    For this project, there are two components: the under-surface utility work funded through enterprise funds (approximately $8.4M), and the HIP Streets element—which focuses on the physical space and aesthetics of the finished project—that will be funded by our partners at the Loveland Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and through a Stormwater Revenue Bond (Approximately $10.8M). City of Loveland staff are also looking into potential grants which will also help offset project costs.

  • Share Thank you for your answer regarding the planned changes in parking spaces. I'm concerned with the plan. Given the demographics of Loveland I can only assume there are many senior citizens who will be impacted by this change. Seniors want to park close to their destination. You can go to KING SOOPERS any day and see the number of seniors waiting for a parking space one space closer to the entrance. I believe you are going to hurt business downtown. Many people are not willing to walk two blocks to a store. Their choice could easily be Amazon. I'm also concerned about increased issues with traffic downtown. Go to the post office someday and see how many people struggle with parallel parking. Couple that with the number of people who will circle the block waiting for a parking space and I predict a traffic problem. I hate to be negative about this plan. I believe you would be better off closing 4th and making a mall. Or consider making the street one way. Thanks for listening. on Facebook Share Thank you for your answer regarding the planned changes in parking spaces. I'm concerned with the plan. Given the demographics of Loveland I can only assume there are many senior citizens who will be impacted by this change. Seniors want to park close to their destination. You can go to KING SOOPERS any day and see the number of seniors waiting for a parking space one space closer to the entrance. I believe you are going to hurt business downtown. Many people are not willing to walk two blocks to a store. Their choice could easily be Amazon. I'm also concerned about increased issues with traffic downtown. Go to the post office someday and see how many people struggle with parallel parking. Couple that with the number of people who will circle the block waiting for a parking space and I predict a traffic problem. I hate to be negative about this plan. I believe you would be better off closing 4th and making a mall. Or consider making the street one way. Thanks for listening. on Twitter Share Thank you for your answer regarding the planned changes in parking spaces. I'm concerned with the plan. Given the demographics of Loveland I can only assume there are many senior citizens who will be impacted by this change. Seniors want to park close to their destination. You can go to KING SOOPERS any day and see the number of seniors waiting for a parking space one space closer to the entrance. I believe you are going to hurt business downtown. Many people are not willing to walk two blocks to a store. Their choice could easily be Amazon. I'm also concerned about increased issues with traffic downtown. Go to the post office someday and see how many people struggle with parallel parking. Couple that with the number of people who will circle the block waiting for a parking space and I predict a traffic problem. I hate to be negative about this plan. I believe you would be better off closing 4th and making a mall. Or consider making the street one way. Thanks for listening. on Linkedin Email Thank you for your answer regarding the planned changes in parking spaces. I'm concerned with the plan. Given the demographics of Loveland I can only assume there are many senior citizens who will be impacted by this change. Seniors want to park close to their destination. You can go to KING SOOPERS any day and see the number of seniors waiting for a parking space one space closer to the entrance. I believe you are going to hurt business downtown. Many people are not willing to walk two blocks to a store. Their choice could easily be Amazon. I'm also concerned about increased issues with traffic downtown. Go to the post office someday and see how many people struggle with parallel parking. Couple that with the number of people who will circle the block waiting for a parking space and I predict a traffic problem. I hate to be negative about this plan. I believe you would be better off closing 4th and making a mall. Or consider making the street one way. Thanks for listening. link

    Thank you for your answer regarding the planned changes in parking spaces. I'm concerned with the plan. Given the demographics of Loveland I can only assume there are many senior citizens who will be impacted by this change. Seniors want to park close to their destination. You can go to KING SOOPERS any day and see the number of seniors waiting for a parking space one space closer to the entrance. I believe you are going to hurt business downtown. Many people are not willing to walk two blocks to a store. Their choice could easily be Amazon. I'm also concerned about increased issues with traffic downtown. Go to the post office someday and see how many people struggle with parallel parking. Couple that with the number of people who will circle the block waiting for a parking space and I predict a traffic problem. I hate to be negative about this plan. I believe you would be better off closing 4th and making a mall. Or consider making the street one way. Thanks for listening.

    Patrick asked 5 months ago

    Thanks for providing your feedback. We will pass this comment on to the project planners.

  • Share Are you ever going to ask CDOT to reduce the speed limit on 287 from 1st street to at least 8th street to 25 mph? And install pedstrian blinking lights along the way to warn drivers about pedestrians? seems to work well in Longmont. The biggest problem with downtown is that it is chopped into three pieces by two oneway high speed streets (on which people speed like crazy) and the railroad. Any design thoughts about that ??? on Facebook Share Are you ever going to ask CDOT to reduce the speed limit on 287 from 1st street to at least 8th street to 25 mph? And install pedstrian blinking lights along the way to warn drivers about pedestrians? seems to work well in Longmont. The biggest problem with downtown is that it is chopped into three pieces by two oneway high speed streets (on which people speed like crazy) and the railroad. Any design thoughts about that ??? on Twitter Share Are you ever going to ask CDOT to reduce the speed limit on 287 from 1st street to at least 8th street to 25 mph? And install pedstrian blinking lights along the way to warn drivers about pedestrians? seems to work well in Longmont. The biggest problem with downtown is that it is chopped into three pieces by two oneway high speed streets (on which people speed like crazy) and the railroad. Any design thoughts about that ??? on Linkedin Email Are you ever going to ask CDOT to reduce the speed limit on 287 from 1st street to at least 8th street to 25 mph? And install pedstrian blinking lights along the way to warn drivers about pedestrians? seems to work well in Longmont. The biggest problem with downtown is that it is chopped into three pieces by two oneway high speed streets (on which people speed like crazy) and the railroad. Any design thoughts about that ??? link

    Are you ever going to ask CDOT to reduce the speed limit on 287 from 1st street to at least 8th street to 25 mph? And install pedstrian blinking lights along the way to warn drivers about pedestrians? seems to work well in Longmont. The biggest problem with downtown is that it is chopped into three pieces by two oneway high speed streets (on which people speed like crazy) and the railroad. Any design thoughts about that ???

    oldwhiteguy asked 5 months ago

    The City is coordinating with CDOT to evaluate the traffic on Cleveland. As part of the project, we are looking into ways to reduce pedestrian crossing distances across Cleveland with an intent to make this crossing safer.

  • Share Hi there! I heard that parallel parking is a possibility? Is that true? I believe that would create even more chaos while trying to navigate our already overcrowded downtown area. Thank you! Brianna on Facebook Share Hi there! I heard that parallel parking is a possibility? Is that true? I believe that would create even more chaos while trying to navigate our already overcrowded downtown area. Thank you! Brianna on Twitter Share Hi there! I heard that parallel parking is a possibility? Is that true? I believe that would create even more chaos while trying to navigate our already overcrowded downtown area. Thank you! Brianna on Linkedin Email Hi there! I heard that parallel parking is a possibility? Is that true? I believe that would create even more chaos while trying to navigate our already overcrowded downtown area. Thank you! Brianna link

    Hi there! I heard that parallel parking is a possibility? Is that true? I believe that would create even more chaos while trying to navigate our already overcrowded downtown area. Thank you! Brianna

    BRILOVE asked 8 months ago

    The five-blocks along 4th Street are planned to be converted from diagonal/angled parking to parallel parking between Garfield and Washington. The desire for the 4th Street corridor is to enhance the pedestrian space, by widening sidewalks and adding lighting and elements that are pedestrian-scale. In modifying the parking, it is also a desire to help increase sight distances for vehicles to see pedestrians crossing roadways and calm vehicular traffic through the corridor.

  • Share - Would the city be able to design new streets that do not currently fit the current street design code adopted by Fort Collins and Greeley? - Long term, does this project have the opportunity to not only change infrasture for downtown, but pave a way code-wise for other parts of the city to adopt a similar restructure? - For new street design, are there any templates that the city has access to that they could share with the public to submit their own design ideas? - Is it too late to share potential street designs? - Is it too late to propose a temporary street design phase to get total buy in from stakeholders that are maybe on the fence or for the public who need to see it in action before they can commit to that kind of permanent change? I have more questions and ideas that I'd like to share. What would be the best way to share all of them? on Facebook Share - Would the city be able to design new streets that do not currently fit the current street design code adopted by Fort Collins and Greeley? - Long term, does this project have the opportunity to not only change infrasture for downtown, but pave a way code-wise for other parts of the city to adopt a similar restructure? - For new street design, are there any templates that the city has access to that they could share with the public to submit their own design ideas? - Is it too late to share potential street designs? - Is it too late to propose a temporary street design phase to get total buy in from stakeholders that are maybe on the fence or for the public who need to see it in action before they can commit to that kind of permanent change? I have more questions and ideas that I'd like to share. What would be the best way to share all of them? on Twitter Share - Would the city be able to design new streets that do not currently fit the current street design code adopted by Fort Collins and Greeley? - Long term, does this project have the opportunity to not only change infrasture for downtown, but pave a way code-wise for other parts of the city to adopt a similar restructure? - For new street design, are there any templates that the city has access to that they could share with the public to submit their own design ideas? - Is it too late to share potential street designs? - Is it too late to propose a temporary street design phase to get total buy in from stakeholders that are maybe on the fence or for the public who need to see it in action before they can commit to that kind of permanent change? I have more questions and ideas that I'd like to share. What would be the best way to share all of them? on Linkedin Email - Would the city be able to design new streets that do not currently fit the current street design code adopted by Fort Collins and Greeley? - Long term, does this project have the opportunity to not only change infrasture for downtown, but pave a way code-wise for other parts of the city to adopt a similar restructure? - For new street design, are there any templates that the city has access to that they could share with the public to submit their own design ideas? - Is it too late to share potential street designs? - Is it too late to propose a temporary street design phase to get total buy in from stakeholders that are maybe on the fence or for the public who need to see it in action before they can commit to that kind of permanent change? I have more questions and ideas that I'd like to share. What would be the best way to share all of them? link

    - Would the city be able to design new streets that do not currently fit the current street design code adopted by Fort Collins and Greeley? - Long term, does this project have the opportunity to not only change infrasture for downtown, but pave a way code-wise for other parts of the city to adopt a similar restructure? - For new street design, are there any templates that the city has access to that they could share with the public to submit their own design ideas? - Is it too late to share potential street designs? - Is it too late to propose a temporary street design phase to get total buy in from stakeholders that are maybe on the fence or for the public who need to see it in action before they can commit to that kind of permanent change? I have more questions and ideas that I'd like to share. What would be the best way to share all of them?

    nhartzfeld asked 8 months ago

    The design team is evaluating alternatives for the roadway, but is basing the design on the 2009 Masterplan and 2017 HIP Streets Modernization Plan. The previous plans and new design emphasize a pedestrian-centric space that widens sidewalks, has additional retail or patio space, a clear walking space, and an amenity/landscaping zone. Parallel parking will be utilized along the five-block core and the roadway width will be maintained, to meet requirements of the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority.  

Page last updated: 19 Apr 2024, 08:31 AM