Olde Town Arvada Announces Street Closures to Support Businesses
As part of its next phase of recovery and support for local businesses, the Olde Town Arvada Business Improvement District (BID) is preparing for street closures this summer in an effort to create an open-air, pedestrian environment, able to comply with social distancing mandates while promoting economic growth for its local businesses.
In collaboration with businesses across multiple sectors including restaurants, retail, and service providers, the BID and the City of Arvada have developed a comprehensive plan focused on driving traffic to Olde Town. The intent of closing and activating the streets is to provide a critical resource for many local businesses as they reopen.
“The BID Board of Directors heard a desire early on from its businesses to explore closing the streets to traffic and transforming them to pedestrian only. This not only allows restaurants to expand their patios, but also gives retail a chance to do more with their storefronts. Most importantly, we are providing the space for visitors to Olde Town to spread out and adhere to social distancing guidelines.” said Deborah Pearson, President of the Olde Town Arvada Business Improvement District Board.
Colorful tables and chairs, planters and umbrellas will be placed strategically in the area to allow for comfort while visiting Olde Town Arvada and safe social distancing. Restaurants will have the ability to serve additional patrons outside and retail businesses will have the ability to utilize space in front of their stores for unique purposes such as jewelry making demonstrations and art displays.
“I think that this is about community at this point, and if closing the streets benefits our greater community, then I’m all for it,” said Spirits Wine Provisions owner Casey Adler. Stacy Parcell, a frequent patron of Olde Town agreed, “I think it’s a good idea. It’s a great way to help people feel comfortable again and to come together as a community.”
“This is just what we need,” said local resident Jonathan Thompson. “I think more visitors to restaurants will drive more traffic to the other retail businesses in town.” Tim Sloan, another local resident offered, “I’m excited, and can’t wait to see it happen! I don’t believe 50 percent capacity is sustainable for our restaurants if we don’t give them more outdoor seating, and more visitors to our restaurants will naturally bring more visitors to our other businesses.”
The current closure plan includes Grandview Avenue from Webster Street. to Olde Wadsworth Boulevard and sections of Olde Wadsworth Boulevard between Grandview Avenue and Grant Place, maintaining essential access for businesses along the street. While the official date of the closure has not been determined, the closures are planned to last through Labor Day.
As announcements of COVID-19 started to rattle communities across the America, organizations throughout Arvada, Colorado united together to create the Arvada Resiliency Taskforce. This taskforce supported efforts to understand the impact of COVID-19 closures and responded quickly with programs, resources and policy shifts including business surveying and comprehensive needs assessments, curation of local, state and federal resources and information, responsive programming to help maintain economic vitality and communication platforms to connect and inform businesses. Temporarily closing streets in Olde Town to help businesses reopen safely is the next step in the recovery effort. A cross-section of local partners make up the Arvada Resiliency Taskforce including the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, Arvada Economic Development Association, Arvada Visitor’s Center, City of Arvada, Olde Town Business Improvement District, Apex Parks and Recreation, Community First Foundation, Thrive Workplace and The Arvada Center.
For more information, visit https://oldetownarvada.org/ or http://arvadachamber.org/