Denver City Council on Monday approved an intergovernmental agreement on first reading that will soon clear the way for a new pedestrian bridge over Speer Boulevard.

The bridge, currently called Wynkoop Crossing, needs to pass council on a second reading next week, but will connect Lower Downtown to Ball Arena, providing the backbone for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s massive redevelopment planned near Ball Arena.

The bridge would land in Lower Downtown near Manny’s Bridge and the Downtown Children’s Playground, cross Speer Boulevard and touch down on the arena side at Chopper Circle, the front door of Ball Arena. 

Architect Andy Rockmore, from Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects, said in an interview last fall that the bridge is designed for universal access without elevators, using a looping ramp on the Lower Downtown side.

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