Civic Center Conservancy, is proud to be stewards of Denver’s first National Historic Landmark, Civic Center Park. As Denver continues to evolve, Civic Center Park must do the same to continue meeting the needs of all who utilize the space.
Civic Center Conservancy is a critical supporting partner to the City and County of Denver as they lead implementation of the Civic Center Next 100 project, which aims to make Civic Center Park a welcoming, accessible cultural hub for Denver for years to come. As an independent nonprofit, we play a crucial role in stakeholder engagement by connecting with individuals, businesses, and community groups, as well as funding the design phase and fundraising for future construction phases.
As this project continues to move forward, we’d like to answer some questions you may have:
What exactly is the Civic Center Next 100 project?
The Civic Center Next 100 project aims to revitalize Denver’s Civic Center through four integrated projects: modernizing the Greek Theater into a premier outdoor venue, upgrading the Central Promenade to accommodate year-round events, transforming Bannock Street into a vibrant public plaza, and creating a new Central Gathering Feature with public art and gardens.
How is the project funded?
The Phase 1 design and construction budget currently totals $18 million, funded through multiple sources: $4 million from the Elevate Denver Bond, $290,000 from the Civic Center Conservancy, $1.8 million from the Mellon Foundation, with Denver Parks & Recreation providing the remaining funds. Civic Center Conservancy is working toward bringing additional private funds to the table.
When will the Civic Center Next 100 Implementation project break ground and for how long will the park be closed? Will events take place in the park while under construction?
Construction is anticipated to begin in Fall 2025. While the central portion of the park including the Central Promenade and the Greek Theater area of the park will be closed during construction, other portions of the park including the Broadway Terrance and area around the Voorhies Memorial will remain open.
The Civic Center Next 100 Phase 1 Implementation project is expected to be completed with the park reopening in spring 2027. Denver Parks & Recreation’s Permitting team will be working with the Construction Contractor to accommodate activations in the park during construction where possible. However, large events in Civic Center will be affected during construction.
How does the design respect and enhance Civic Center Park as Denver’s First National Historic Landmark?
The design of this revitalization project was carefully crafted with input from historic preservation experts. Drawing direct inspiration from Edward Bennett’s 1918 plan, the new Central Promenade design reestablishes his original pattern of a central walk flanked by two smaller paths, now complemented by arc’d pathways. The project will create accessible routes that follow historic patterns while providing universal access to key features including the Voorhies Memorial and Greek Theater.
The Greek Theater rehabilitation will feature a design that preserves the original structure while introducing a new canopy and reoriented bowl design. These improvements maintain the theater’s historic character while ensuring accessibility to all levels and features.
Will the proposed design in the Greek Theater address ADA and accessibility concerns?
A main goal of the project is to increase access. The new design will make the Greek Theater accessible for the first time in its history and provide ADA access wherever possible by removing stairs and other barriers to allow all users the same access within the park.
Why is this project important for the future of Denver and to create a more vibrant downtown?
While Civic Center Park excels at hosting the city’s largest gatherings, it remains underutilized for daily activities. These improvements will transform the park into a vibrant everyday destination, drawing more visitors and residents year-round while enhancing downtown’s economic vitality.
Our mission is to keep Civic Center Park thriving and active for all residents. You can be a supporter of the Civic Center Next 100 Project by donating here. Together, we can bring the history and community that Civic Center Park has provided all these years into the future with us, ensuring people can enjoy it for generations to come.
