Residents and visitors may see the area between the Riverwalk Center and the
arts district begin to transform in the coming years, as the town council
explores a new vision for the cultural core of Breckenridge.
A consultant
hired to draft a redesign of Breckenridge's artistic center, including the
Riverwalk and the Blue River Plaza presented a series of proposals to town
leaders Tuesday that would bring a new look to the area.
The project,
dubbed the arts district renaissance by town staffers, would aim to connect the
Riverwalk Center on the west side of Main Street with the arts district campus
on the east side via the Blue River Plaza, transforming the area into a walkable
corridor dedicated to arts and culture.
“We want it to develop into a
really special place that would preserve open space and the art and the soul of
Breckenridge,” town spokeswoman Kim Dykstra-DiLallo said.
The vision the
consultant proposed Tuesday pitch, first and foremost, a makeover of the Blue
River Plaza, which would relocate many of the mature evergreens that are
beginning to obscure views of the Tenmile Range.
One of the options
proposes enhancements to the Riverwalk Center lawn, adding a play area for
children with a climbing wall located on a retaining wall, a boulder maze and
other features alongside the river. The nearby parking lot would be transformed
into a parking plaza, which could be cleared of cars when needed and used
instead for events.
The consultant's vision for the Blue River Plaza
involves moving existing evergreens, including the town Christmas tree, to make
space for more aspen and cottonwoods and removing picnic tables in favor of
café-style tables and chairs.
Council members at Tuesday's meeting were
open to the ideas presented, though some expressed reservations about potential
costs and most weren't interested in relocating the town Christmas tree.
“Some things just happen to create their own reason for being and that
Christmas tree has done that in this town,” Councilwoman Wendy Wolfe told
consultants.
The renaissance project coincides with a redesign of the
town arts district, which includes a campus of historic buildings, such at the
Tin Shop where various arts classes and workshops are hosted. Town officials are
also contemplating improvements to the Riverwalk Center to allow its uses and
programming to be expanded in the future.
Posted for Nancy Yearout, RE/MAX Properties of the Summit
nyearout@colorado.net
http://www.realestate-breckenridge.net
