Transforming an industrial area into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood in Downtown Denver

Denver’s Central Platte Valley was once a neglected 100-acre industrial area along the Platte River, primarily comprised of rail yards and warehouses with no permanent residents. Recognizing the potential of this underutilized area in the center of Denver, Civitas initiated a pro-bono effort in a partnership with the city of Denver and private property owners over the course of 32 years to reimagine the space as a vibrant, mixed-use community and neighborhood. Civitas completed approximately 30 projects that addressed the area’s challenges, including vacant land, limited residential development, and poor accessibility.

The core idea behind Civitas’ vision was that by creating new neighborhood connections, revitalizing the riverfront, and developing public parks, they could successfully reimagine the area, fostering a sense of place, enhancing connectivity, and attracting new residents and businesses. This belief guided their work on numerous projects, including studies on mobility, land use, and infill development, as well as the design of streets, underpasses, and pedestrian bridges.

Civitas’s first built project was Elitch Gardens, a new amusement park that brought many people from the suburbs into the core city. This important step brought new attention to the valley as an opportunity to support downtown as a neighborhood and not just a business center.

To ensure that the community had a say in the development process, Mayor Webb tasked Civitas with leading a public engagement effort to shape the river corridor and its benefits for neighborhoods on both sides of the river. A Central Platte Valley Steering Committee was established, bringing together representatives from various community groups, non-profits, agencies, and special interest organizations. This committee played a crucial role in providing input and feedback on all projects. The Steering Committee was used as a sounding board for all projects, with ratification of their recommendations at the Planning Commissions Civitas was then commissioned to design Commons Park, the City of Cuernavaca Park, and Centennial Gardens- which were all completed by 2003. 

In addition to parks, Civitas was further commissioned to manage the design of three pedestrian bridges that cross the railroad, the river, and the freeway. The Millennium Bridge was built first, with its large mast establishing a landmark and identity for the new district. Civitas supported the Planning Office in the development of new zoning, urban design guidelines, and several other efforts (including design review) for the first ten years of new development in the area.

Civitas successfully transformed the Central Platte Valley into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood through its comprehensive approach. The project’s impact is evident in the increased property values, improved quality of life for residents, and the attraction of new businesses. The revitalization has also contributed to the overall health and sustainability of the city of Denver.