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Auraria Campus Master Plan
The Auraria Campus Master Plan received approval at the June 20, 2007, AHEC Board meeting after being developed over the last year. This master plan provides a vision for the campus for the next 20 years and was developed by studioINSITE, Sasaki and U3 Ventures. Key elements of the master plan include:
- Creating neighborhoods for the three institutions where each can create a unique identity,
- Movement of the athletic and recreational fields to the west end of campus,
- Opening of Larimer Street through the campus as a pedestrian and possible transit connection from the new Auraria West station to Downtown Denver, and
- Allowance for public/private development in the 15 acres bounded by Auraria Parkway, Speer Boulevard, Larimer Street and the Tivoli; and along 5th Street. This public/private development will help meet the needs of the campus by providing more academic and office space mixed in with uses such as retail, office space, residential uses and a hotel/conference facility
A copy of the master plan is available in PDF format by clicking the Master Plan tab at the top of this page.
Since its approval, three more studies have been undertaken to help further elements of the master plan. These studies were finalized in late fall 2007 and provide further guidance on the next steps needed to begin mater plan implementation. A transportation study was done by Fehr and Peers to look at vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle access on the campus today and with the master plan. A big priority of this study is determining what can be done with 7th Street. Carl Walker has completed a study of parking demand and how the parking spaces found in the many surface lots across campus today can be replaced as development of the campus occurs. The final study was completed by Barker Rinker Seacat and looks at the athletic and recreational needs of the campus. While the master plan depicts the fields moving to the west end of campus, we need to understand if this space is sufficient and meets the needs of any future growth of these programs.
Update – April 2008
The Auraria Higher Education Center has engaged Space Syntax to provide a review of the Auraria Campus 2007 Master Plan focusing on pedestrian movement, the layout of future buildings and understanding how the Old City Hall View Plane impacts the desired layout for the Urban District (at Auraria Parkway and Speer Boulevard).
The group was brought to our attention through Mark Gelernter, Dean of the University of Colorado Denver College of Architecture, after their work on analyzing plans for Denver’s Civic Center Park. Their analysis has proved insightful and is presented here for review in draft form. Report 1 analyzes the baseline pedestrian movement across the campus as it exists today. Report 2 analyzes how the original master plan and then modifications to that plan to accommodate the Old City Hall View Plane impact pedestrian flow and viability of the development.
Please keep in mind as you review these reports that they are in draft format, and will be finalized upon completion of all of the tasks. The final report, yet to be received, will provide recommendations for the Urban District (Speer & Auraria Parkway), the UC Denver neighborhood, and how pedestrian flow can be improved across the campus.
We are also excited that Space Syntax will be joining us at our May 8th 2pm meeting of the Master Plan & Facilities Subcommittee meeting. This meeting is open to the public and will take place in the Tivoli room 320 B and C. |
Update: February 2008
1. Campus staff are drafting a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit a master developer for the public/private development on the campus. This RFP will likely be released early spring 2008.
2. A change to both Metro State’s and AHEC’s state legislation has been submitted to the Colorado State Legislature for consideration. This legislation change will allow for the implementation of master plan elements concerning using revenue from the public/private development.
3. A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been put together and approved by the Auraria Board of Directors in January 2008 to discuss the relationship of all the institutions and work out the implementation of master plan elements.
Campus staff is now starting the outreach process to the surrounding neighborhoods and members of City Council. If you or your group would like a presentation on the master plan or have any questions, please contact Jill Jennings, Campus Planner, at 303-556-3236.
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