8th Street Redesign

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

The initial phase, determination of general approach, of this project is complete. Funding for the final design of the project is being sought. Once available, the public will be invited to provide additional input to guide the final design of the project.

The intersection of 8th Street and Elm Circle looking west.

In November of 2019, City of Golden staff held a public meeting to discuss a potential project to redesign the streetscape of 8th Street. During the meeting, citizens were asked to provide feedback with a focus on desired outcomes as opposed to specific design elements.

The top 6 desired outcomes of a redesigned 8th Street were as follows:

  1. Improved pedestrian facilities along 8th Street
  2. Reduced vehicular speeds
  3. Increased sight distance at intersections
  4. Improved pedestrian connectivity across 8th Street
  5. Retain on-street parking
  6. Improved bicycle facilities

This information was used to develop option designs. The first three outcomes listed above are accommodated, to some degree, in all of the alternatives presented here. Wider sidewalks separated from the street section will provide pedestrian connectivity along the length of 8th Street. Bulb-outs at intersections will improve sight distance at intersections and narrow the vehicle travel lanes to reduce speeds. Additionally, the bulb-outs will provide a decreased crossing distance for pedestrians. Vehicle travel lanes will be narrowed (generally to 11’) to further reduce vehicle speeds.

Please note that these exhibits are preliminary in nature. They are not intended to depict final design, but only to aid in assessing the support within the community for different streetscape elements. Additional infrastructure may be added during the design phase, or in the future (if appropriate warrants are met), to further address issues such as pedestrian connectivity, sight distance, vehicle speed, etc.

We want to hear from you. Please review each of the design options below. If you would like to see the map in more detail, click on the link to open a pdf version of the map that will allow you zoom in.

After reviewing each design, please let us know which of the versions below you prefer by taking the poll. Please use the question and answer section if you have any questions on any of the listed options, or on the project in general.

Option 1

  • Retains approximately 43 on-street parking spaces (not including townhome spaces)
  • Does not provide bike lanes
  • Provides 90⁰ parking for the townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC
  • Requires easement from owners of the townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC

Option 1 Map

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Option 2

  • Provides bike lanes
  • Provides 90⁰ parking for the townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC
  • Requires easement from owners of the townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC
  • Provides no on-street parking (aside from the 90⁰ parking for the townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC

Option 2 Map

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Options 3

  • Retains approximately 32 on-street parking spaces
  • Provides 24 back in angled parking spaces at townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC
  • Does not require easements from owners of townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC

Option 3 Map

In November of 2019, City of Golden staff held a public meeting to discuss a potential project to redesign the streetscape of 8th Street. During the meeting, citizens were asked to provide feedback with a focus on desired outcomes as opposed to specific design elements.

The top 6 desired outcomes of a redesigned 8th Street were as follows:

  1. Improved pedestrian facilities along 8th Street
  2. Reduced vehicular speeds
  3. Increased sight distance at intersections
  4. Improved pedestrian connectivity across 8th Street
  5. Retain on-street parking
  6. Improved bicycle facilities

This information was used to develop option designs. The first three outcomes listed above are accommodated, to some degree, in all of the alternatives presented here. Wider sidewalks separated from the street section will provide pedestrian connectivity along the length of 8th Street. Bulb-outs at intersections will improve sight distance at intersections and narrow the vehicle travel lanes to reduce speeds. Additionally, the bulb-outs will provide a decreased crossing distance for pedestrians. Vehicle travel lanes will be narrowed (generally to 11’) to further reduce vehicle speeds.

Please note that these exhibits are preliminary in nature. They are not intended to depict final design, but only to aid in assessing the support within the community for different streetscape elements. Additional infrastructure may be added during the design phase, or in the future (if appropriate warrants are met), to further address issues such as pedestrian connectivity, sight distance, vehicle speed, etc.

We want to hear from you. Please review each of the design options below. If you would like to see the map in more detail, click on the link to open a pdf version of the map that will allow you zoom in.

After reviewing each design, please let us know which of the versions below you prefer by taking the poll. Please use the question and answer section if you have any questions on any of the listed options, or on the project in general.

Option 1

  • Retains approximately 43 on-street parking spaces (not including townhome spaces)
  • Does not provide bike lanes
  • Provides 90⁰ parking for the townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC
  • Requires easement from owners of the townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC

Option 1 Map

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Option 2

  • Provides bike lanes
  • Provides 90⁰ parking for the townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC
  • Requires easement from owners of the townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC
  • Provides no on-street parking (aside from the 90⁰ parking for the townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC

Option 2 Map

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Options 3

  • Retains approximately 32 on-street parking spaces
  • Provides 24 back in angled parking spaces at townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC
  • Does not require easements from owners of townhomes on the south side of 8th just east of the GCC

Option 3 Map

The initial phase, determination of general approach, of this project is complete. Funding for the final design of the project is being sought. Once available, the public will be invited to provide additional input to guide the final design of the project.

Do you have a question about the 8th Street Design project? Let us know and we'll do our best to get an answer to you quickly.

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    I am wondering if the access to the Basecamp Development and the 8th Street apartments could have been restricted to the entrance from 58th onto 8th Street. Likely the obstacle there is the traffic flow heading west from 8th onto 58th? It would have been nice not to have the extra traffic along 8th Street to Washington. Could the traffic from Basecamp and 8th Street apartments heading East be limited to the access point at 58th and 8th? Hopefully with improved sidewalks and connectivity to downtown, people will choose to walk when they can.

    shaytande asked almost 4 years ago

    I am unsure how to answer. There is virtually no chance that CDOT would have allowed an entrance to HWY 58 for the Basecamp development while maintaining a connection to 8th Street via Briarwood Drive.  The proximity of those two access points and the proximity of US 6 simply would not allow for it. 

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    From walking 8th Street, I have observed that the same cars seem to park on the side of the street. It is hard for me to select an option like the one with bike lanes without knowing how much resident parking will be removed from the people who live on 8th Street. Has a survey been done to determine who uses the currently available on-street parking? Is it primarily residents?

    shaytande asked almost 4 years ago
    A parking utilization study has not been performed for this project to date. The concepts presented did include estimates of parking spaces lost and retained. If the redesign proceeds and there is a justifiable need for a parking study then one would be performed. 
  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    I recall at the meeting in November that there was no timeline for an 8th Street redesign. The meeting was to 'gather input' from neighbors and residents in the area. With the creation of these plans, it seems like there is momentum to go forward with a redesign. Is this a correct assessment? What is the timeline, and will there be another opportunity for public input before any designs are finalized?

    frenchfry63 asked almost 4 years ago

    The timeline moving forward is uncertain.  The impacts of Covid have made the future of this project, and all other projects even less clear. If the project is to proceed then the next step would be to refine the citizen selected option. If that occurs then yes, most assuredly there will be additional opportunities for public input. 

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Can a permanent residential parking permit system be enacted for the townhomes that face 8th St, with no onsite parking? You could build more traffic calming features (trees, bumpouts, crosswalks, etc.), and ensure that visitors to Basecamp don't encroach on resident parking.

    Ann asked almost 4 years ago

    That would be outside of the scope of a redesign project for 8th Street. Not to say that it could not happen, simply that the redesign effort is likely not the ideal mechanism to accomplish it. 

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    In these plans, will any mature trees be removed? For instance the Pinon pine between 1207 and 1209 8th St? What happens to the mailboxes?

    bretweinraub asked almost 4 years ago
    That would be difficult to answer at this point. Once the project proceeds to final design for construction we would have a better understanding of impacts to existing trees. Staff and designers would do our best to ensure existing trees are preserved if possible. 
  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    This seems to be the result of the new apartment buildings on west 8th street. Does this new building supply all of its own parking? It would seem terribly costly to the city to ask long-time residents to give up parking to accommodate a new structure.

    AuNRental asked almost 4 years ago

    The current development at the west end of 8th Street provided more than the minimum number of parking spaces required by City regulations. 

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    How will these options affect Briarwood Commons Townhomes located on the North side of the street?

    jettabound7 asked almost 4 years ago

    In all of the options the access points to Briarwood Commons will be maintained. 

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    How is Improved pedestrian facilities along 8th Street addressed in any of these options? Where are the cross walks?

    corypopovich asked almost 4 years ago

    Pedestrian connectivity is improved in all of the options by the completion of continuous sidewalks on both sides of 8th Streets.  As stated in the description these are not final plans and are conceptual in nature. Additionally crosswalks can and will be added in locations that meet the criteria set forth in the City 's adopted crosswalk manual.   

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    These diagrams are extremely difficult to see. I'm using a big monitor and they are still hard to decipher. Is there a way that you would consider posting large diagrams of these in a place where residents can view them using social distancing once restrictions are lifted? Maybe in the public works lobby or the large conference room?

    derosagoco asked almost 4 years ago

    Thanks for your feedback. This is a hard one because no city facilities are currently open to the public so we don't currently have a place to post them for the public to view. Above each of the maps appearing in Guiding Golden, however, there is a link to a pdf version of the map (look for the text that says "Option # Map"). If you download the pdf you can zoom in and perhaps get a better sense of the design.