Landmark Alteration Certificate (LAC) Application Update
As part of Boulder Creek Park Phase 2 design, the project team submitted a Landmark Alteration Certificate (LAC) application for proposed enhancements to the landscape and bandshell seating, based on community feedback, within the landmark boundary. On September 2, the Landmarks Board denied the LAC with a 3-2 vote. At a subsequent City Council meeting on September 17, City Council voted to call up the LAC application 8-0, which means a Public Hearing will be tentatively planned for November 19. This webpage will be updated with potential date changes for the Public Hearing.
Public Hearings can be observed in-person in Council Chambers at the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway, or viewed on YouTube, the city’s website, or on Channels 8 and 880 on Comcast in Boulder. Regular City Council meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Community members can provide testimony before City Council both virtually and in-person at Public Hearings. Visit the city's website to learn more about how to participate at Public Hearings.
Introducing Boulder Creek Park!
Formerly known as Civic Area and Central Park, this downtown area was renamed to Boulder Creek Park! As part of the Boulder Creek Park Phase 2 Project (formerly, Civic Area Phase 2), renaming and investments aim to create a more cohesive and vibrant park space in the heart of downtown where all community members feel welcome.
Boulder Creek Park was one of eight proposed names that emerged from a series of teen engagement efforts with students from Boulder High School’s Zonta Club, community partners Growing Up Boulder and RIOS Boulder, as well as engagement with University of Colorado Boulder’s Department of Environmental Design.
Schematic Design Summary
Building on the Concept Plan, the Schematic Design identified what improvements could be covered under the council approved funding. The Schematic Design also focused on the refinement of this area, based on community feedback. The image below identifies the area in the pink boundary that will move forward into Phase 2 construction and includes expanded garden walks, a new pedestrian-first festival street, nature play areas, community gathering spaces, multi-use connections, signage and story-telling features.
We are grateful to the hundreds of community members and stakeholders who provided feedback during the past two and a half-year process. Your input, along with city policy and technical research, resulted in an exciting design that imagines a new future for such a key downtown space. The project will now move into a more technical design phase to prepare for permitting processes and park construction. Construction of Phase 2 of the park will begin in late 2027 and continue through till late 2028, with a park opening planned for early 2029. These dates are pending all permitting and construction timelines and might be subject to change.
Envisioning 13th Street as a festival street creates a flexible, multi-use public amenity to support everyday activity and special events, shown here during a farmers’ market with vendor stalls, pedestrian movement, and space that can adapt to gatherings, performances, and community programming.
The Porch imagines a welcoming civic space that brings people together, featuring terraced deck seating, opportunities for informal gathering, all under the canopy of beloved park trees.
The expanded nature-based play environment encourages exploration and discovery, incorporating natural materials, integrated play features, informal seating, and open lawn areas for recreation and connection to the park and adjacent areas.
More detailed project updates are available in the Full Summary of the Schematic Design package.
Hay más detalles disponibles en español en este Resumen completo de Diseño esquemático (ESPAÑOL).
