Heart Improvement Plan (HIP Streets)

City of Loveland, Colorado

MEDIA RELEASE

CONTACTS: Illianna Milldrum, Communication and Engagement Specialist, 970-962-2608, Illianna.Milldrum@cityofloveland.org

Heart Improvement Plan’s 4^th Street Revitalization: Construction to begin in late February

LOVELAND, Colo. – Feb. 11, 2025 – The City of Loveland will begin construction for the Heart Improvement Plan’s 4th Street Revitalization project in late February, with completion targeted for winter 2026, weather permitting. The work will focus on five blocks along 4th Street from N. Garfield Avenue to N. Washington Avenue, with construction beginning on the first two blocks between N. Washington Avenue and N. Lincoln Avenue. Work will take place during daytime hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“After decades of planning and community visioning, we are excited to see the first phase of the Heart Improvement Plan take shape. This project is a testament to the power of collaboration—by upgrading critical utility infrastructure and advancing the vision for downtown Loveland simultaneously, we are ensuring that downtown has the infrastructure to continue to thrive for generations to come. Through this partnership between the City of Loveland and the Downtown Development Authority, we are bringing the long-term vision for our city’s heart to life while making much-needed improvements that will support Downtown Loveland’s future,” said Loveland City Engineer Nicole Hahn.

“We’re so excited to begin working on the renovation and transformation of 4th Street, which is truly Loveland’s Main Street. The work will modernize the street and allow for economic growth for decades to come,” said Sean Hawkins, executive director of the Loveland Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

What will the upcoming improvements include?

• Improving sidewalks to meet ADA accessibility and upgrades to west and east travel lanes.
• Adding a five-foot-wide amenity zone featuring pedestrian lighting, bike racks, decorative fencing, and integrated public art.
• Converting diagonal on-street parking to parallel parking for patio expansions and walkability.
• Crucial upgrades to failing utility infrastructure by replacing the existing cast iron waterline with new 12-inch and 8-inch PVC pipes and installing new stormwater storm drains and gutters.

How will the project manage parking and pedestrian access?

The City of Loveland has expanded parking options around the 4th Street corridor to ensure convenient access for visitors. Parking is available in the Foundry Parking Garage, nearby public lots along 5th Street and designated on-street spaces. The City of Loveland’s downtown parking map is available to guide motorists to free parking spaces throughout construction. Pedestrian access to all 4th Street businesses will remain open throughout the duration of the project.

What are the detour routes for construction?

During the closure of 4th Street between N. Washington Avenue and N. Lincoln Avenue for the construction of Block 1 and Block 2, motorists are encouraged to use 5th Street and 6th Street as alternative routes to bypass the construction zone. Throughout the duration of construction, pedestrian access will be maintained but rerouted around the active construction areas based on the current phase of work.

Before construction begins, what changes will occur to the current streetscape?

Last week, the final art sculptures along Washington Avenue to Lincoln Avenue were removed from the sidewalks and are being stored safely until they can be returned. As construction begins on all five blocks, sculptures will be removed along 4th Street. Once the project is completed, 21 new art plinths (or pedestals) sculptures will be added along 4th Street’s sidewalks. Additionally, 16 trees will be removed from Washington Avenue to Garfield Avenue over the course of the project to accommodate the widening of the roads and patios. There will be 54 new trees planted as part of the Heart Improvement Plan landscaping scope.

What is the construction schedule for each block?

In partnership with the DDA and local business owners, the construction schedule was designed to minimize disruption to local businesses by dividing the project into five blocks. Construction will begin with Block 1 and Block 2 followed by construction on Block 5, Block 3, and Block 4. Throughout the project, construction on different blocks will overlap, with work starting on some blocks while others are still in progress.

How is construction being phased for each block?

High-level construction phasing for the project was a collaborative initiative between the City of Loveland and the DDA. Work will be completed in two phases – Phase 1A and Phase 1B – which will be repeated for each of the five blocks. Each phase, including Phase 1A and Phase 1B, is expected to last between six and eight months total.

• Phase 1A: During construction on a block, the roadway will be temporarily closed to motorists; however, sidewalks and street crossings in both the north-south and east-west directions will remain open. During Phase 1A, essential upgrades to the water and stormwater infrastructure will be completed, along with replacing concrete pavement and converting diagonal parking to parallel parking.
• Phase 1B: During construction on a block, the roadway will remain temporarily closed to motorists; however, pedestrian traffic will be routed through the parallel parking zones. Access to every business doorway will be maintained throughout this phase. During Phase 1B, construction of the amenities zone will be completed, which includes sidewalk improvements, streetscape enhancements, lighting upgrades and landscaping. The project team will work with each business to coordinate customized phases when work takes place near their entrances.

How will this project support downtown businesses during construction?

The Loveland Downtown Development Authority are dedicated to providing comprehensive support to downtown businesses during construction. To help business owners effectively communicate with customers about key details such as construction schedules, road closures, parking options, and project outcomes, a Downtown Loveland Business Owner’s Toolkit has been developed. This toolkit includes customizable Canva templates for social media, print signage, parking maps, and FAQs, along with communication tips to help businesses share important updates with customers throughout the construction process. Downtown Business Owners are encouraged to visit downtownloveland.org/heart-improvement-plan to access this toolkit.

Where can I learn more about the project?

Additional project details including construction phasing maps, images and other project updates, can be found at lovgov.org/HIPStreets. To stay informed throughout construction, stakeholders can sign up for the Heart Improvement Plan project newsletter at go.lovgov.org/SubscribetoHIP. For questions about this project or to contact the project team, call Public Works at 970-962-2524 or email HIPStreets@CityofLoveland.org.

About

In 2009, the City of Loveland Public Works Department developed the conceptual plan for the Heart Improvement Plan (HIP Streets), which explored opportunities to enhance the streets within the historic core of Downtown Loveland. In 2017, after gathering public input, the plan was modernized to include a thoughtful and cost-effective approach to revitalizing 19 core blocks of Downtown Loveland.

The first phase of the Heart Improvement Plan – the 4th Street Revitalization – addresses the five blocks along 4th Street that extend from N. Garfield Avenue to N. Washington Avenue. The current effort is focused on improving 4th Street through streetscape enhancements, while the City of Loveland Water and Power Department works on upgrades to the utility infrastructure beneath the road. As this project is a significant effort, the City of Loveland and the Loveland Downtown Development Authority (DDA) have come together to finally bring this portion of the Heart Improvement Plan to fruition.

Project Funding

The Loveland City Council, with a unanimous vote, approved the Certificates of Participation (COPs) financing method providing funding for the Heart Improvement Plan’s 4th Street Revitalization project on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. The project will be funded using a combination of Utility Enterprise Funds and COPs. Utility Enterprise Funds (Stormwater, Water, and Power) will provide $12 million of the project cost, with the remaining $12.5 million funded by COPs. The total estimated program cost for the project is $24.5 million. No General Funds will be utilized or allocated to construct this project. An infographic for the cost of the project can be viewed here.