Commerce City Improves DIA Neighborhoods

New projects benefit neighborhoods near Denver International Airport

More and more folks who work at DIA or just use it frequently for work are choosing to live in Denver International Airport neighborhoods.

The largest of these airport neighborhoods is Reunion. As a result, local infrastructure and public amenities have been challenged to match the growing population. Commerce City is addressing this challenge with a year master plan.

Commerce City Infrastructure Plan

Flatiron Corporation is one of the contractors for 5 Projects, 5 Years.

Commerce City’s 5 Projects, 5 Years initiative is the result of the city’s 2-year analysis of how to improve and meet the ever-growing demands of the community. Involving residents and businesses as partners in this analysis was critical. Because,  a subsequent 1% tax hike was proposed and passed to fund the recreation and infrastructure projects that makeup “5 Projects, 5 Years”.

With involvement and participation between the community and local government in this Capital Improvements Plan (CIP), Commerce City has committed to completing these first 5 projects. Therefore, the goal of realizing the Quality Community for a Lifetime vision by January of 2019 is in sight. The mutual goals of all parties are to first meet the project deadlines. Then,  intelligent choices will be made with taxpayer dollars.  And,  those choices will provide 100% transparency in how money is being spent. Finally, constructing first-class facilities will result in lower maintenance costs. And, it should make it easier for people to get around the area, provide better access to other areas of the community, and enhance recreational options.

Widening Tower Road

The widening of Tower Road is one of the 5 voter-approved, CIP projects to be completed before 2019. It will cost an estimated $50 million. Work has begun to upgrade the 2-lane road to four lanes between 80^th Avenue and 103^rd Avenue. This will open up the roadway for more vehicles, while providing safer and better access, proper drainage, with clearer signage and signals. Additionally, sidewalks and pathways will allow safe passage for cyclists and pedestrians.

Some of the details include:

• Traffic lights at 96^th, 88^th, and 81^st streets
• Placing electrical lines underground
• New traffic signals permitting left turns during lapses of oncoming traffic
• Dedicated bike lanes on both sides of the street
• Wide sidewalks and multi-functional pathways
• Clearly-marked lanes for turning, accelerating & decelerating
• An enhanced street scape with LED Street lights and a landscaped median

Also, the Second Creek underpass area will be home to a beautiful, landscaped section featuring fruit trees. A local group will harvest the fruit trees and there will be a designated area for all artists to display their work.

Denver International Airport Neighborhoods Benefit

Soon they will wrap up the Tower Road widening project. And, when that happens it will hopefully improve traffic patterns, increase foot traffic to businesses and enhance the public’s enjoyment along that stretch of road. The net result will improve the lifestyle of homes and neighborhoods near Denver International Airport.

Denver International Airport neighborhoods include Reunion, Green Valley Ranch, Quebec Highlands and Buffalo Run. New home projects just off the Tower Road corridor are also breaking ground or planned for the near future.