Civic Center Park's transformation begins
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A rendering of the redesigned Greek Theater in Denver's Civic Center Park. Image: Courtesy of the city of Denver
A plan to transform Denver's Civic Center Park into a downtown destination breaks ground this week.
Why it matters: The city's central park has long been a place where people pass through, but don't linger. City boosters say a major redesign could change that and reenergize downtown as a whole.
Driving the news: Crews begin work Wednesday on the first phase of renovations, slated for completion in 2027. Much of the park will be fenced off, though some sections will remain open.
- Phase 1 reimagines the Greek Theater, Central Promenade and South Plaza — adding new pedestrian loops, a food truck court, garden walk and "garden rooms," where people can relax in the shade surrounded by plants.
Context: The redesign is funded by the 2017 voter-approved Elevate Denver bond.
Zoom in: The marquee project is the Greek Theater, which will be redesigned by Studio Gang, the firm behind the nearby Populus Hotel.
- The stage will flip directions — facing south toward the Denver Art Museum and Central Library instead of north — to create a more intimate, flexible venue.
- The theater will also gain an accessible entrance, closing a long-standing gap.
- Civic Center Conservancy leaders say the current space is too large to host most small-scale performances and the overhaul is meant to fix that.
Between the lines: Construction will sideline some popular events, including the park's Christkindlmarket, which moves to the Auraria Campus later this month.
- The timing could also complicate milestone celebrations. Colorado celebrates its 150th birthday next year, likely forcing festivities away from the traditional civic backdrop.
What they're saying: "It is our intention to ... ensure Civic Center can still serve as a community gathering space through construction — maybe just on a different scale," Civic Center Conservancy executive director Eric Lazzari told Axios Denver in a statement.
The big picture: Phase 1 of construction is just a taste of what's in store for the park.
- As part of a separate $100 million downtown-wide glow-up led by the Downtown Development Authority, $30 million will be allocated toward Civic Center Park for new lighting, tree canopy, walkways and infrastructure.
- Another $7 million will transform the McNichols Building at Civic Center Park into a restaurant, arts marketplace and museum.