Denver advances plans to build 5280 Trail

State of play: A Denver City Council on Wednesday advanced an $11.4 million contract with Centennial-based Sema Construction spanning roughly 18 months.

• Money for the contract comes from the 2021 voter-approved bond program.
• The proposal was under what's called a consent agenda, meaning it's passed without discussion.

Context: The agreement pays for the design and construction of a segment on Acoma Street between 10th and 12th avenues.

• It will include enhanced landscaping and lighting with an intent to improve pedestrian safety and mobility, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure spokesperson Cyndi Karvaski tells us.

Between the lines: Nearly 25% of the trail's future footprint is currently under development, per the project's website.

What's next: October is the target for the project's groundbreaking.

• The city's working with the Downtown Denver Partnership to explore connecting the new trail section to and from nearby Sunken Gardens Park.