HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 7/25/2023 - Memorandum From Dillon Willett Re: Linden Street Event Programming And Patio Review
Engineering Department
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.221.6605
970.221.6378 - fax
fcgov.com/engineering
Planning, Development & Transportation
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 6, 2023
TO: Mayor Arndt and City Council
THRU: Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Drew Brooks, Deputy Director of PDT
Brad Buckman, City Engineer
FROM: Dillon Willett, Project Manager
RE: Linden Street Event Programming & Patio Review
The purpose of this memorandum is to summarize plans to assess and evaluate all
aspects of the renovated Linden Street to include operations and maintenance, special
events, design, and programming.
Background
Renovations on Linden Street were completed in the fall of 2022 . Since completion, the
newly renovated street has received high praise and been converted to a pedestrian
event space for multiple City sponsored and privately produced events.
Project goals included connecting Old Town to The River District, creating a convertible
event space, improving stormwater drainage, security improvements and urban design
enhancements throughout the space.
Plans to Assess Function and Demand
Throughout design and construction, the project team and City staff have engaged in
discussion surrounding programming of Linden Street and how to approach measuring
demand, success of design and City commitment to programming the spac e.
As the project was completed towards the end of the typical busy season for events, it
was decided to give the street adequate time for users to get a good feel for how the
street operated under typical conditions and what programmed events would look like.
While assessment will continue beyond the year, the staff team decided to allow a full
season to account for this adjustment period.
At the end of the 2023 season (Fall 2023), City staff from Engineering, Special Events,
Parks, and Economic Health plan to survey business owners, residents, and public in
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the vicinity of Linden Street and establish a foundation of data points which can be used
for future assessments to determine the best use and demand for programming.
Questions in the survey will include City and privately organized event programming for
the street, operations and maintenance, design and functionality of the space and
special events related topics. The purpose of the assessment will be to evaluate
whether we are achieving the project goals, assess demand for frequency of closures,
understanding passive use of the space, and public feedback. Additionally, part of the
assessment will be to evaluate the pedestrian walkways in terms of design and function.
From the results of the survey and based on demand, City staff will further assess how
we can more quickly and effectively close the space for more informal and passive
closures, and therefore better determine programming requirements for different types
of closures and events.
Special Events Update
With increased demand for events on Linden Street and frequency of questions, a
comprehensive Linden Street special events pdf tool is being finalized for use . This will
enable Special Events to quickly communicate with event producers and aid in guiding
those looking to activate Linden Street as their venue.
Next Steps
Summer 2023 – Final Draft of Special Events pdf tool
Fall 2023 – Survey Linden Street public and business owners
Winter 2023 – Upon completion of survey analysis, City Staff will prepare a
memo summarizing the key findings and recommended actions for Council
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