{"id":490907,"date":"2026-06-16T04:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T10:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/?p=490907"},"modified":"2026-06-17T13:40:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T19:40:16","slug":"the-plan-for-reviving-civic-center-park-denver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/2026\/06\/16\/the-plan-for-reviving-civic-center-park-denver\/","title":{"rendered":"Who\u2019s ready to picnic in downtown Denver\u2019s Civic Center park?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n  #masthead {\n    transition: opacity 0.4s ease, transform 0.4s ease, visibility 0.4s ease;\n    opacity: 1;\n    transform: translateY(0);\n    visibility: visible;\n  }\n  #masthead.masthead-hidden {\n    opacity: 0;\n    transform: translateY(-100%);\n    visibility: hidden;\n    pointer-events: none;\n  }\n<\/style>\n<script>\n(function () {\n  var THRESHOLD = 200;\n  var ticking = false;\n\n  function update() {\n    var header = document.getElementById('masthead');\n    if (!header) {\n      ticking = false;\n      return;\n    }\n    var y = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop || 0;\n    if (y > THRESHOLD) {\n      header.classList.add('masthead-hidden');\n    } else {\n      header.classList.remove('masthead-hidden');\n    }\n    ticking = false;\n  }\n\n  function onScroll() {\n    if (!ticking) {\n      window.requestAnimationFrame(update);\n      ticking = true;\n    }\n  }\n\n  window.addEventListener('scroll', onScroll, { passive: true });\n  document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', update);\n  \/\/ Run once in case the page is already scrolled on load.\n  update();\n})();\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-parallax tight-cover\" style=\"min-height:100vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-490965 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260416-Colwell-DAM-The-Stars-We-Do-Not-See-A9C7325-scaled.jpg)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#000000\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s the people\u2019s park, the heart of downtown Denver.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-white-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-edc7096c673795331787aa0e0f85d8dc is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"has-libre-franklin-font-family wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>Civic Center park, seen from the Denver Art Museum on April 16. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-parallax tight-cover\" style=\"min-height:100vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-491007 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/10029804.tif.jpg)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#000000\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">In its 100-year history, Civic Center has drawn Coloradans as a hub of culture and learning &#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-white-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-2053584c2cdab66e3cecdbc7a7d87cea is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"has-libre-franklin-font-family wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>This glasss negative photograph from some time in the 1920s shows a crowd watching the Denver Municipal Band at Civic Center park. (Denver Public Library Special Collections, <a href=\"https:\/\/digital.denverlibrary.org\/nodes\/view\/1105557?keywords=civic+center&amp;type=all&amp;highlights=WyJjaXZpYyIsImNlbnRlciIsImRlbnZlciJd\">X-29804<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-parallax tight-cover\" style=\"min-height:100vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-491094 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20210430-Colwell-CoSun-JayCyxx-A8C0463-scaled.jpg)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#000000\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">&#8230; and also repelled them because of crime and filth.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-white-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-c7bd8e989c7941e766769def8ca9be16 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"has-libre-franklin-font-family wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>Temporary fencing surrounds Lincoln Memorial Park in April 2021. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-parallax tight-cover\" style=\"min-height:100vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-491016 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2024-1029_civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation.jpg)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#000000\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">A $50 million transformation of the 12-acre park is underway, including shady outdoor \u201cgarden rooms,\u201d winding pathways and a renovated, Greek-style theater wired for concerts and performances.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-white-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-576cab84cae2207eb7e09120a7afc3d7 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"has-libre-franklin-font-family wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>A rendering of the reimagined Greek Theater at Civic Center park. (via Civic Center Next 100)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-parallax tight-cover\" style=\"min-height:100vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-490986 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 25%;background-image:url(https:\/\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0012-2-scaled.jpg)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#000000\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">This ambitious reimagining is happening alongside a $12.5 million revival of the historic McNichols Building at the edge of the park, featuring a restaurant serving dinner on the lawn, a patio where people can sip lunchtime coffee, and to-go sandwiches for picnics in the park.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-white-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-7176ef3380061439a032547b3297b6f2 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"has-libre-franklin-font-family wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>Denver\u2019s McNichols Building on June 5<\/em>.<em> (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-parallax tight-cover\" style=\"min-height:100vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-491017 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260612-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A8C8672-1-scaled.jpg)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#000000\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">The refreshed public space that spans the Denver City and County Building and the state Capitol is expected to reopen in the fall of 2027.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-white-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-6b9a821c49334225dbdd7adef0dcf778 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"has-libre-franklin-font-family wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>The Greek Amphitheater , under construction on June 12. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-parallax tight-cover\" style=\"min-height:100vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-491018 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:46% 78%;background-image:url(https:\/\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00135034.tif-1.jpg)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#000000\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">But a successful revitalization of the park \u2014&nbsp;a key to the mayor\u2019s \u201cvibrant\u201d downtown \u2014&nbsp;will require not just a physical makeover, but a significant turnabout in public perception.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35vh\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-white-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-f022b9d83a509ce98b01514876227898 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"has-libre-franklin-font-family wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>A photo from the 1920s by George L. Beam shows men on chairs between the columns of the arched colonnade at Civic Center park.<br>(Denver Public Library Special Collections, GB-5034)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The park renovation is funded with $30 million from the Downtown Denver Development Authority, a voter-approved initiative to invest a portion of sales and property taxes collected downtown into revitalization projects. Additional funds come from the voter-approved Elevate Denver bond, the Denver Parks &amp; Recreation budget and donations. The Civic Center Conservancy is attempting to raise $10 million for the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reviving the park is central to the city\u2019s broader strategy to make downtown a destination again, to lure people from the fringe and sprawl neighborhoods where they have their own parks, outdoor markets and festivals. It is the core of a plan to bring back the workers and the apartment dwellers, and the suburbanites going out to dinner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-big-flip\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The big flip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-attachment-id=\"490962\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/20260520-colwell-cosun-downtown-denver-a9c7925\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1706&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1706\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Andy Colwell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 9&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;\\u201cOn the War Trail,\\u201d a 1922 statue by Alexander Phimister Proctor, stands inside a protective plywood box as construction takes place around it in Civic Center Park on May 20 in Denver. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1779309352&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;51&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;32&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;\u201cOn the War Trail,\u201d a 1922 statue by Alexander Phimister Proctor, stands inside a protective plywood box as construction takes place around it in Civic Center Park on May 20 in Denver. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-490962\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7925-1200x800.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cOn the War Trail,\u201d a 1922 statue by Alexander Phimister Proctor, stands inside a protective plywood box as construction takes place around it in Civic Center park on May 20 in Denver. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For now, the historic columns of the Greek-style theater, on the south side of the park and across the street from the Denver Public Library, are covered for protection as construction crews dig out a new theater bowl. A <a href=\"https:\/\/denverpublicart.org\/public-arts\/on-the-war-trail-3\/\">bronze statue<\/a> of a Native American man on horseback with a spear in his hand is surrounded by plywood stamped with \u201chistoric art.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignright is-style-default\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-borders wpnbha ts-2 is-style-borders\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t<div data-posts data-current-post-id=\"486494\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"article-section-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span> \u2600\ufe0f MORE FROM THIS SERIES<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"491122\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-16th-street-mall tag-denver-pavilions tag-downtown-denver category-business category-economy category-news type-of-work-news type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/2026\/06\/17\/denver-pavilions-new-era\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">A new era for downtown Denver&#8217;s biggest mall is beginning to take shape<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"490907\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-city-of-denver tag-civic-center-park tag-downtown-denver tag-downtown-denver-development-authority tag-downtown-denver-partnership tag-editors-picks tag-mcnichols-civic-center category-coloradans category-colorado-sunday category-culture category-equity category-growth category-housing category-news type-of-work-news type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/2026\/06\/16\/the-plan-for-reviving-civic-center-park-denver\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Who\u2019s ready to picnic in downtown Denver\u2019s Civic Center park?\u00a0<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The site is currently a giant hole in the ground, where workers are pouring concrete to create new seating to face a new stage, covered by a canopy. It\u2019s a design from renowned Chicago architect Architect Jeanne Gang. The original stage and columns will serve as a scenic backdrop, behind the audience, as well as provide shade. And the new seating, unlike the old, will be accessible to people with disabilities and will face the opposite direction, into the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt was a very hot place, and you looked directly into the sun,\u201d said Gordon Robertson, director of Planning Design and Construction at Denver Parks &amp; Recreation. \u201cWe called it the brick oven.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And unlike the past, when performers had to bring their own audio equipment, the new stage will have \u201call of that in place and ready to plug in,\u201d he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur goal is to have this be the stage for the whole community of Denver, where any small group can come in and put on a performance any day of the week. To invite everyone in and to have performances there as much as we possibly can \u2026 theater, dance performances, music. You could do TED Talks, yoga.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\" id=\"diptych\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"673\" data-attachment-id=\"491023\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/2026\/06\/16\/the-plan-for-reviving-civic-center-park-denver\/11010010-tif\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF.jpg?fit=1998%2C1120&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1998,1120\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"11010010.TIF\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Night view of a Colorado Symphony Orchestra concert at the Greek Theater and Colonnade of Civic Benefactors in Civic Center Park in 1938. (Denver Public Library Special Collections, Z-10010)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF.jpg?fit=1200%2C673&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF.jpg?resize=1200%2C673&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-491023\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF.jpg?resize=1200%2C673&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF.jpg?resize=1536%2C861&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF.jpg?resize=1024%2C574&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF.jpg?resize=780%2C437&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF.jpg?resize=400%2C224&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF.jpg?w=1998&amp;ssl=1 1998w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11010010.TIF-1200x673.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"776\" data-attachment-id=\"491024\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/2026\/06\/16\/the-plan-for-reviving-civic-center-park-denver\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2.jpg?fit=1224%2C792&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1224,792\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A rendering of the reimagined Greek Theater with the stage on the opposite end of the historic bandstand. (via Civic Center Next 100)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2.jpg?fit=1200%2C776&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2.jpg?resize=1200%2C776&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-491024\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2.jpg?resize=1200%2C776&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2.jpg?resize=300%2C194&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2.jpg?resize=768%2C497&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2.jpg?resize=1024%2C663&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2.jpg?resize=780%2C505&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2.jpg?resize=400%2C259&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2.jpg?w=1224&amp;ssl=1 1224w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation_2-1200x776.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"alt has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"diptych-caption\" style=\"color:#515151;font-size:13px\"><strong>LEFT:<\/strong> Night view of a Colorado Symphony Orchestra concert at the Greek Theater and Colonnade of Civic Benefactors in Civic Center park in 1938. (Denver Public Library Special Collections, Z-10010) <strong>RIGHT:<\/strong> A rendering of the reimagined Greek Theater with the stage on the opposite end of the historic bandstand. (via Civic Center Next 100)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/denvergov.org\/files\/assets\/public\/v\/3\/parks-and-recreation\/documents\/planning\/2024-1029_civiccenternext100_publicmeeting_presentation.pdf\">park will evolve<\/a> from hosting only three or four large community events per year, to a hub of daily activity, Robertson said. The timing is perfect, he insists, in part because of the growth of the Golden Triangle, the neighborhood south of West Colfax Avenue bounded by Speer Boulevard and Broadway, which is the fastest-growing downtown neighborhood, adding about 7,000 residential units in the past decade.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe park has never looked more beautiful or been more safe,\u201d Roberson said. \u201cThe folks that enjoy it today understand that. Unfortunately, it\u2019s one of Denver&#8217;s best-kept secrets that Civic Center is beautiful, safe and clean.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-civic-center-s-regulars\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Civic Center&#8217;s regulars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A surprise burst of rain on an April afternoon left the lush grass at the park sparkling in the sunshine. Flower beds were bursting with pink and purple blooms, and the winding pathways were washed clean. The park was empty, minus the construction crews working on the Greek theater and a man named Gary who sat on a bench drinking a beer with his next beer sitting unopened beside him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRead any good books lately, Gary?\u201d asked Jodie Marozas, park ranger manager for Denver Parks &amp; Recreation, who has led the park\u2019s cleanup.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gary, a park regular, was homeless until getting an apartment about two years ago through the city\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/denvergov.org\/Government\/Agencies-Departments-Offices\/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory\/Mayors-Office\/Programs-and-Initiatives\/Homelessness-Initiative\">All In Mile High<\/a> housing initiative, which the mayor\u2019s office says sheltered 2,500 people and closed 350 city blocks to camping. Alcohol is allowed in the park, as long as it&#8217;s not in glass.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGary is welcome here,\u201d said Eliza Hunholz, the city\u2019s director of the park ranger program. \u201cBad behaviors are not.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-pandemic\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The pandemic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" data-attachment-id=\"255205\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/img_8585\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/IMG_8585.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4032,3024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"homeless\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The tent camp in front of the Capitol in Denver has grown to between 100 and 150 tents during the coronavirus pandemic. It&amp;#8217;s one of about 30 encampments in Denver, according to a nonprofit that counted tents July 17. (Jennifer Brown, The Colorado Sun)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/IMG_8585.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/IMG_8585.jpg?resize=4032%2C3024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-255205\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The tent camp between the Colorado Capitol and Civic Center park grew to more than 150 tents during the summer of 2021. (Jennifer Brown, The Colorado Sun)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To fully comprehend the magnitude of Civic Center\u2019s glow-up, consider <a href=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/2020\/07\/28\/denver-homeless-tent-cities\/\">what it looked like in 2021<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That September, citing rampant crime, rat infestation, and human feces and used drug needles littering the ground, the city shut down Civic Center and put up a fence. The park had been the site of drug deals and other illicit activity for years, but it had gotten worse during the pandemic when Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park, the strip of land across the street in front of the Capitol, became a tent city littered with chicken bones and plastic bottles of urine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Civic Center was closed for six months. Park rangers and Denver Police patrolled it day and night, enforcing an overnight camping ban and offering assistance with housing and substance use treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The long-time tradition of \u201cmutual-aid Mondays,\u201d where church groups and nonprofit organizations handed out lunches and clean socks to the homeless, was shooed out of the park. The services were moved to locations \u201cwhere they could ensure food safety\u201d with hand-washing stations and ovens to keep the food hot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-clean-up\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The clean-up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-attachment-id=\"491014\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/20260520-colwell-cosun-downtown-denver-a9c7917\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1706&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1706\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;6.3&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Andy Colwell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 9&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Jodie Marozas, Park Ranger Manager at Denver Parks and Recreation, poses for a portrait next to the under-renovation Greek Theater in Civic Center Park on May 20 in Denver. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1779309300&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;38&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;40&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Jodie Marozas, Park Ranger Manager at Denver Parks and Recreation, poses for a portrait next to the under-renovation Greek Theater in Civic Center Park on May 20 in Denver. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-491014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C7917-1200x800.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jodie Marozas, park ranger manager at Denver Parks and Recreation, next to the under-renovation Greek Theater in Civic Center park on May 20. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was Marozas\u2019 job to clean up the park.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it reopened, the city \u201ctook back over the park,\u201d she said. \u201cWe were constantly cleaning. We had concerts here, just tons of positive activation, including the food trucks and everything to draw people in to show them that this was a safe space.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yoga classes. Pickup soccer games. Maintenance crews powerwashing sidewalk stains, repairing flower beds. And rangers in uniform ready to \u201ctarget unsafe behavior.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI was in awe of the huge change,\u201d Marozas said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key to the change was that park rangers, whose actions historically had been \u201ccomplaint-driven\u201d \u2014 about everything including off-leash dogs \u2014 shifted to proactive mode, with a major focus on the park.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt&#8217;s going to be the spot where everybody wants to be,\u201d Marozas said, \u201cand I&#8217;m really excited for all of the improvements and what the future is going to look like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-people-who-live-here\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The people who live here<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-attachment-id=\"490959\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/20260520-colwell-cosun-downtown-denver-a9c8007\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1706&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1706\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Andy Colwell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 9&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;David Gordon poses for a portrait outside his home at the Forum Apartments on 14th Street just east of Civic Center Park on May 20 in Denver. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1779310392&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;41&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;David Gordon poses for a portrait outside his home at the Forum Apartments on 14th Street just east of Civic Center Park on May 20 in Denver. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-490959\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260520-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C8007-1200x800.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">David Gordon poses for a portrait outside his home at the Forum Apartments on 14th Street just east of Civic Center park on May 20 in Denver. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The park\u2019s new look is obvious to people paying attention.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grady Ward, walking his Bernese mountain dog along the sidewalk on West 14th Avenue Parkway next to the park, has \u201cdefinitely noticed\u201d how clean and empty Civic Center has been lately. He wonders, though, if the city can pull off the right balance between creating a <a href=\"https:\/\/esl.uchicago.edu\/2023\/11\/01\/third-places-what-are-they-and-why-are-they-important-to-american-culture\/\">\u201cthird space\u201d<\/a> that families can enjoy and one where everyone, even those who are homeless, are welcome.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"280095\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/quote_thicker_line\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/quote_thicker_line-1-e1714163495308.png?fit=170%2C170&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"170,170\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"quote_thicker_line\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;quotation mark&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/quote_thicker_line-1-e1714163495308.png?fit=170%2C170&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/quote_thicker_line-1.png?ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-280095\" style=\"width:100px;height:100px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center alt has-normal-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">\u201cI care about third spaces for everybody, and I think that people tend to be comfortable with third spaces until people who are unhoused show up. I would prefer we have public spaces in which, yes, there are not unsafe things happening, but also there are not exclusionary dynamics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center alt has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 Grady Ward, <em>who has attended events at Civic Center park<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDenver does not suffer from a low volume of places to sit and drink a glass of wine or beer, and so I don&#8217;t know how much an additional place to do that is gonna be needed, but I am glad they&#8217;re investing in the public space,\u201d Ward said. \u201cI care about third spaces for everybody, and I think that people tend to be comfortable with third spaces until people who are unhoused show up. I would prefer we have public spaces in which, yes, there are not unsafe things happening, but also there are not exclusionary dynamics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">David Gordon was homeless before landing a spot at the Forum Apartments, a Colorado Coalition for the Homeless supportive housing complex across the street from the park. As he sold copies of the Denver VOICE newspaper on a spring day, Gordon said he was tired of people who are homeless getting treated like unwanted guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUnhoused people get blamed for things that are out of their control \u2014 the park being that messy, the needles, the feces,\u201d he said. \u201cI just think we should question ourselves: Are we being discriminatory towards people who are unhoused? I mean, I don\u2019t mean to be sarcastic, some of the people should be thanking the homeless. Because of the homeless, and the perception of fear, these security guards have jobs. You should extend your hand and thank them for being here.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the park reopens, there will be public restrooms on the exterior of the McNichols Building.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-to-do-with-mcnichols\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to do with McNichols?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\" id=\"diptych\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1961\" height=\"1553\" data-attachment-id=\"491177\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/00072841-tif-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?fit=1961%2C1553&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1961,1553\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"00072841.tif\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A glass photoplate by Louis Charles McClure taken between 1924-1927 shows the McNichols Civic Center, then in its original incarnation as the city&amp;#8217;s Main Library.&lt;br \/&gt;\n(Denver Public Library Special Collections, MCC-2841)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?fit=1200%2C950&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?resize=1961%2C1553&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-491177\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?w=1961&amp;ssl=1 1961w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?resize=300%2C238&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?resize=1200%2C950&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?resize=768%2C608&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?resize=1536%2C1216&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?resize=1024%2C811&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?resize=780%2C618&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?resize=400%2C317&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00072841.tif-edited.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-attachment-id=\"490978\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/20260605-colwell-cosun-downtown-denver-a9c0018-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1706&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1706\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;10&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Andy Colwell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 9&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Denver\\u2019s McNichols Building is pictured on June 5 in Denver. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1780676888&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Denver\u2019s McNichols Building is pictured on June 5 in Denver. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-490978\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260605-Colwell-CoSun-Downtown-Denver-A9C0018-1-1200x800.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"alt has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"diptych-caption\" style=\"color:#515151;font-size:13px\"><strong>LEFT:<\/strong> A glass photoplate by Louis Charles McClure taken between 1924-1927 shows the McNichols Civic Center, then in its original incarnation as the city&#8217;s Main Library. <strong>RIGHT:<\/strong> Denver\u2019s McNichols Building is pictured on June 5 in Denver. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the northwestern edge of the park, where Colfax Avenue bends to curve around a historic fountain framed by marble columns, stands the McNichols Civic Center. The city-owned, Greek Revival-style building opened in 1910 as a Carnegie Library, and for its first 45 years, served as a center of learning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was closed for about four decades, before reopening as a cultural center that was used for occasional performances, exhibits and parties \u2014&nbsp;and sometimes, a temporary shelter for the homeless during freezing temperatures. In 2024, Denver covered some of the massive, 33,000-square-foot building with mats and <a href=\"https:\/\/coloradosun.com\/2024\/03\/22\/migrant-families-housing\/\">housed migrants from Venezuela<\/a>, who were arriving so frequently and in such high numbers that other shelters were full.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now imagine something completely different. Picture postpandemic \u201cvibrant Denver,\u201d as Mayor Mike Johnston calls his plan to upgrade downtown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cultural events at McNichols did not recover well after COVID \u2014 the building was rarely rented as an event venue as fewer workers reported to downtown offices and homelessness was more visible than ever on city sidewalks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNow there is a really big push, obviously, to activate downtown,\u201d said Jen Morris, chief of staff for Denver Arts and Venues, a city agency. \u201cWe just realized what an opportunity we have when our mayor is really focused on vibrant Denver. We wanted to make sure that this building was used not just for evening events or a daytime event here and there, but it had seven-day-a-week activation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enter the plan for the first-ever restaurant \u201cembedded\u201d in a Denver public park. Think New York City\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tavernonthegreen.com\/\">Tavern on the Green in Central Park<\/a>, but the casual Denver version. \u201cThis should be for the people,\u201d Morris said. \u201cThis should have things that you know are for all ages and for all price points, and maybe a little nicer at night if you want a nice dining experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With funding from Denver Arts &amp; Venues, and $7 million from the Downtown Denver Development Authority, the renovation will include a first-floor restaurant and outdoor patio and courtyard, a second-floor museum and a third-floor special events space. The reimagined building will also have a ground-floor marketplace near the restaurant highlighting work from local artists.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The vision is couples sharing lunch on a patio overlooking the park, families picnicking in the grass after buying grab-and-go sandwiches, office workers stopping by for coffee and bagels. And on warm nights, a lively patio that is creatively enclosed in order to comply with the restaurant\u2019s liquor license. \u201cWhat a beautiful way to spend an evening,\u201d Morris said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Construction is under way, and the city has selected the restaurant and museum operators who will create the space, though city officials won\u2019t release their names until contracts are finalized. The museum will focus on Denver history and culture. The restaurant will get a deal on the lease \u2014 the city is offering a below-market incentive to create \u201ccommunity amenity,\u201d Morris said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She\u2019s confident that people will come to the park, even if they have to see the change to believe it. \u201cOnce the word gets out,\u201d Morris said, \u201cI think people will realize that it really is a destination, not just a walk-through or pass-through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A massive transformation of the downtown Denver park known in recent history for drug deals and crime is underway, but can the city change longtime perceptions? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":491193,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single-feature.php","format":"standard","meta":{"credibility_indicators":{"original_reporting":true,"on_the_ground":true,"sources_cited":false,"subject_specialist":true},"gigafact_has_fact_brief":false,"gigafact_remote_fact_brief_post_id":0,"gigafact_remote_sync_timestamp":"","gigafact_remote_sync_status":"","gigafact_remote_sync_response":"","gigafact_has_been_published":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"newspack_featured_image_position":"hidden","newspack_post_subtitle":"A massive transformation of the downtown Denver park known in recent history for drug deals and crime is underway, but can the city change longtime perceptions? 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