One business is already noticing increased foot traffic after construction fencing was removed a few weeks ago along a reconstructed portion of downtown Denver’s 16th Street Mall.

In the most recent 16th Street Mall redevelopment, the city removed fences along “block 2” from Larimer to Lawrence streets, opening up new space for pedestrians and businesses in the area. It’s the first of multiple checkpoints the city expects to complete this summer for the tedious, $172.5 million mall reconstruction project.

The 1.2 mile, 13-block-long outdoor mall serves as an anchor in downtown Denver for tourism, restaurants, small businesses and some night life. The city began the renovation project of the 41-year-old 16th Street Mall in Spring 2022. Since then, a number of businesses have closed along the corridor, increasing anxiety among the companies battling to survive the renovation.

“We’ve been looking forward to this for two years, and it kind of feels surreal that it’s finally here,” said Jessaki Boeck, an assistant manager at Blue Agave Grill, located next to the mall’s newly completed segment.

“We’ve already seen a little bit of an influx in business,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to see people who are walking around with dogs, because before we weren’t able to do so.”

Boeck said the business, which opened in 2016, was in the process of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic before being negatively impacted by 16th Street Mall renovation. 

Right outside Blue Agave Grill, among other businesses on the block, are new furnishings, an improved walkway and a new play set called “The Hive.”

“We’re thrilled to hear businesses are already seeing a difference in foot traffic and looking forward to a summer of activation activities,” said Nancy Kuhn, a spokesperson for Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

As envisioned, 16th Street Mall renovation would increase public safety and mobility and create an amenity zone. The project reconstructs deteriorating infrastructure like the 41-year-old pavers, creates new walkways and offers more greenery. The RTD mall shuttles will eventually be moved to the middle, creating more walkways near business, and trees still need to be added.

The city originally planned for the project to be complete in 2024.

But last year, the unexpected discovery of old pipes under the mall ballooned costs from $149 million to $172.5 million, and delayed the project until at least fall of 2025.

While the facelift is much needed, the construction work from Market Street to Broadway — with some portions already complete — has taken away restaurant patios, narrowed walkways next to heavy-equipment work and disrupted the flow of the RTD free shuttles that used to move some 3.6 million people every year. The shuttles now operate on 15th and 17th streets.

The project also coincides with RTD shutting down all the central business district light rail trains, disrupting traffic and pedestrian flow, as officials work to replace 30-year-old track line. 

“We’re making great progress and people are going to see more and more of that progress coming to life on 16th Street in the coming weeks and months,” Kuhn said.

Looking forward to late July, DOTI expects to complete and remove fencing along “block 1” between Market and Larimer streets. Then, by Labor Day, the transportation department expects to remove fences along “block 3” and “block 4” between Lawrence and Curtis streets, according to DOTI.

“We’ll continue to take fences down and open blocks down the corridor as completed,” Kuhn said. “The city is extremely excited about this progress and know that our residents and Mall visitors are feeling the same way.”

For the sake of business, Boeck said, “we are very thankful for our returning customers and that we were able to provide service for the customers wanting to continue to come back.”