Goal 5: Meaningful and Inclusive Civic Participation

Project description

The West Colfax Transportation Safety Project was developed to make West Colfax Avenue between Sheridan Boulevard and Teller Street safer and more welcoming for everyone who uses the corridor. Phase 1 added center medians, pedestrian crossings, roadway lighting, landscaping, irrigation, and related utility improvements. Phase 2 is now beginning and will add continuous accessible sidewalks, pedestrian lighting and detection, bus pullouts, traffic-safety improvements, stormwater infrastructure, landscaping, public art, and other placemaking features.

The project responded to a history of serious crashes along this part of West Colfax, particularly those involving people walking and biking. The completed work has already begun improving safety and defining a more attractive corridor, while Phase 2 will build on that progress by making West Colfax more comfortable, accessible, and connected for nearby residents, businesses, transit users, and visitors.

How it advances Goal 5

The project advances Goal 13 by making the Colfax Core and 40 West Arts areas safer, more connected, and more inviting. It improves corridor safety and appearance, and Phase 2 expands these benefits by making it easier for people to walk between local businesses, transit stops, public art, cultural destinations, and nearby neighborhoods.

New lighting, landscaping, crossings, transit facilities, public art, and placemaking features help West Colfax function as more than a roadway people pass through. Together, these improvements create a recognizable community destination and support local businesses, cultural activities, community gatherings, and continued investment in the area.

The project directly supports Strategy 78 (Support Activity Hubs) by creating the safe, attractive, and walkable public spaces needed for the Colfax Core to thrive as a center of arts, culture, commerce, transit, and community life.

Project description

Lakewood’s Design Review Commission actively works to ensure new development fits the community’s architectural character. By combining city planning expertise with local design insight, the panel carefully evaluates building plans—scrutinizing details like materials, landscaping, and overall aesthetics—to keep the neighborhood looking cohesive and appealing.

How it advances Goal 5

The Design Review Commission supports Goal 13 by ensuring new development within Activity Hubs reflects Lakewood’s unique identity and community values. By enforcing design standards and streetscape enhancement, the Commission fosters a cohesive, high-quality environment that attracts residents and businesses alike. This focus on aesthetic excellence and architectural character transforms mixed-use zones into vibrant, "inspiring" destinations, directly driving the economic vitality and community engagement necessary for a thriving local economy.

Current status

This was the inaugural year for the Design Review Commission’s development review process. Following the creation and adoption of the Standards and Guidelines, this year saw the first development applications navigate the DRC’s process, the inception of a second set of design standards along W Colfax, and the creation of an ad hoc DRC referral process for individual projects.