{"id":5087,"date":"2014-09-23T22:57:59","date_gmt":"2014-09-24T05:57:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stapletonion.com\/?p=5087"},"modified":"2014-09-23T22:57:59","modified_gmt":"2014-09-24T05:57:59","slug":"forest-city-mca-accepting-bids-for-eastbridge-pedestrian-tunnel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stapletonion.com\/?p=5087","title":{"rendered":"Forest City, MCA Accepting Bids for Eastbridge Pedestrian Tunnel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Pedestrian-Tunnel\"<\/a>With the pending development of the Eastbridge town center, several concerns loom. One of these concerns is in regards to pedestrians and cyclists safely crossing MLK to get to the center. \u201cObviously, this area on MLK is going to get much busier if they put a large grocery store in there,\u201d says Eastbridge resident Aaron Gaies. \u201cIt\u2019s already a tricky spot to cross for pedestrians and cyclists with a blind curve right there.\u201d Indeed, if Forest City hopes to continue to promote Stapleton as a green, walking and cycling community, something needs to be done. Forest City and the Stapleton MCA have recognized this issue and are already working to find a suitable solution.\n\u201cWe know we need to address a major access issue in regards to the Eastbridge Town Center,\u201d said MCA President Liza Kampstra. \u201cWe have been working with Forest City, and they agree that a solution will be in place.\u201d The MCA, Forest City, and the City of Denver evaluated several options, including a pedestrian crosswalk, stoplights, and even a pedestrian bridge. \u201cAfter working with Denver traffic engineers, it is clear that a crosswalk, or a set of stoplights simply aren\u2019t the best solution,\u201d said Forest City Spokesperson Janelle Ayers. \u201cIt would slow down what will already be a congested traffic area with the Soopers, especially if they keep the gas station.\u201d Kampstra says that a pedestrian bridge is not an option as well. \u201cIt would be quite the eye sore, and a pretty big pain for pedestrians,\u201d says Kampstra. \u201cWe looked at some renderings of this, and nothing really worked with the area.\u201d\nAfter two weeks of studying best practices in similar areas, the MCA and Forest City, with the support of the City of Denver, plans to build a pedestrian tunnel. \u201cA tunnel is the most viable option,\u201d said Ayers. \u201cWe can make it walkable and rideable, and it won\u2019t be a massive, ugly protrusion that a pedestrian bridge would be.\u201d Forest City says they have sent out RFPs to local and national architectural firms who may be interested in the project. \u201cWe are looking for something cost-efficient,\u201d says Ayers. \u201cBut, at the same time, it needs to fit in well with the cityscape around it. We want it to be used by Stapleton residents.\u201d Ayers says the plan right now is to have the pedestrian bridge cross from South Eastbridge to North Eastrbidge with an exit in the middle at the town center. \u201cWe are committed to making the town center work with the community,\u201d says Ayers. \u201cOnce construction begins on the town center, construction will begin on the pedestrian tunnel. We will view it as one, fluid project.\u201d\n]]>\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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