Colorado Springs Removes Concrete Barriers From West Colorado Avenue

City planners in Colorado Springs removed concrete barriers and reduced center pedestrian refuge areas on West Colorado Avenue in response to public feedback. The changes alter a year-long street redesign that includes lane realignment and parking adjustments. Protected crosswalks were installed last month but have already been modified based on resident input.

Ryan Phipps, the city's capital improvements manager, described the current phase as a process of testing and adjustment. He noted that the initial design did not perform as anticipated in all areas. The concrete barriers, which were part of the first crosswalk layout, have been taken out completely.

Residents told the city that the temporary barriers created a solid wall of concrete. This structure blocked sightlines for pedestrians, particularly those of shorter stature. The removal of these barriers aims to improve visibility for people crossing the street.

First responders also provided input that led to the scaling back of the center pedestrian refuge areas. Phipps explained that drivers pulling over for emergency vehicles sometimes created a blockade within the refuge zones. The city removed those specific sections to ensure fire and police units have necessary access up and down the avenue.

Phipps characterized the recent modifications as a search for better options rather than corrections of errors. He stated that the team is balancing different needs during the test phase to see how the design functions in practice. The goal is to determine what works effectively for the corridor.

Local businesses are monitoring the changes closely. Joe Kliche, manager of Centennial Cuts, a Colorado beef shop, said the store relies on customer access to its door. The business sells beef raised on a family ranch in Fowler, Colorado, and operates a single brick and mortar location.

Kliche said the store's managers like the center lane for parking because it helps with loading and unloading. However, they had expected more additional parking spaces. Kliche described the stanchions rising in the middle of the street as a little weird. City planners are now asking for further feedback to judge whether the latest updates are working.