As Boulder kicks off the second phase of redevelopment work in the Boulder Junction area — one of the City Council’s priority projects — it is forming community-led focus groups that will help guide the project over the next few years.
“We’re trying to make sure that these focus groups represent different constituent types to make sure that we’re getting a broad range of stakeholders and also community representatives to provide varying viewpoints, varying expertise, and also a variety of experience and backgrounds,” said Sarah Cawrse, principal planner for Boulder.
In 2007, Boulder created the Transit Village Area Plan, known as TVAP, which outlined the plan for the Boulder Junction area project. The plan, which was updated in 2010, consists of a 160-acre area located in the geographic center of Boulder, bounded by Valmont Road to the north, 30th Street to the west, Foothills Parkway to the east and the railroad tracks to the south.
Phase one, which occurred on the west side of the railroad tracks, is nearing completion and, ultimately, led to redevelopment of the area with some 1,500 residential units, about a quarter of which are affordable, a regional bus station and new transportation connections. It also created new taxing districts that help provide funding for some of the transportation projects.
Now, the city is gearing up for part two, which aims to upgrade to Old Pearl; conduct a feasibility study regarding the extension of Bluff Street west of 30th Street; add a traffic signal at Pearl Street and Frontier Avenue; and additional pedestrian, bicycle and multi-use paths, according to the TVAP.
To begin this work, Boulder will first reconfirm land use designations, mobility connections and the urban design defined by the TVAP. It may make amendments to an almost two decade-old outline, following stakeholder feedback, before moving forward with the implementation process, Cawrse said.
“The goal right now is to make sure that we’re implementing the strategies identified in the plan today, but as part of our community engagement outreach process, we will be talking with community members to confirm some of the implementation strategies and from those conversations that’s where we might find some priority areas or areas that we can focus on especially for implementation strategies,” Cawrse said.
Cawrse added that the city hopes to have several community-led focus group provide input and share their expertise. Residents interested in participating must complete an interest form at bit.ly/3jmyG1I by Feb. 8, according to a news release from the city.
Residents who are encouraged to apply are those who live or work in Boulder Junction; visit or use services in Boulder Junction; own property or businesses in Boulder Junction; represent communities who may be directly impacted in Boulder Junction or have knowledge of local land use, design and development, the release said.
“We’re anticipating a few different types of focus groups, and the intention is for them to be involved throughout the project as needed, and the project right now is anticipated to be about 18 to 21 months,” Cawrse said.
