Q&A Sheet for Idaho Springs Mobility Hub and Downtown Improvements Program
What is the Mobility Hub program?
The Mobility Hub program is a series of infrastructure projects to improve access to transit, downtown circulation, and the overall parking experience for downtown Idaho Springs for residents, businesses, and visitors. The program includes:
- Roundabout at Exit 240 – a new roundabout will provide a gateway feature to downtown and include signage that clearly directs visitors and buses to the mobility hub and parking. This will reduce the amount of traffic that circulates through downtown in search of parking.
- Mobility Hub – the area between 13th and 14th Avenues south of Idaho Street (that now includes the laundromat and ski rental shop) will be redesigned to include a dedicated bus-only turnaround with amenities for transit riders to stay comfortable while waiting and loading. This will speed up bus transfers and provide a more welcoming bus stop experience for transit riders for CDOT’s Bustang, Snowstang, Pegasus, Clear Creek County RoundAbout, and Greyhound service.
- Parking Structure – a multi-story parking structure is planned for the lot between 14th and 15th Avenues south of Idaho Street. This will provide additional parking spots to accommodate the influx of tourists, visitors, and commuters to and through Idaho Springs. This structure will be built around the Robert’s Brothers Building which will remain in place.
- Parking Lot Improvements –the existing surface parking lot will be redesigned to maximize the amount of parking spaces provided and improve circulation and access to the parking structure from the east side of town.
- Miner Street – Miner Street is being designed as a “flexible” street that will be closed to automobiles in the high season/warmer months and then allow one-way (eastbound) travel with on-street parking during the low season/colder months. New paving will provide space for wider sidewalks, improved drainage, and outdoor seating areas.
- Idahoe Mall – Idahoe Mall will be redesigned to better serve businesses and as a welcoming and safe pedestrian connection from the parking areas to Miner Street.
- Collectively, we call these 6 project elements, “The Program.”
How is the Program funded?
The city received two significant grants for the Program:
- $2.4 Million from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Planning Grant – this grant will pay for conceptual, 30%, and 60% design and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation for all project elements listed above. This also includes funding to administer and apply for the RAISE/BUILD Capital Grant that the city applied for in early 2025 to seek dollars to fund final design and construction of the entire program. The RAISE Planning Grant is a Direct Recipient Grant, which means the city will work directly with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to deliver and administer the grant (as opposed to grants administered by CDOT).
- $6.3 Million from the CDOT Division of Transit and Rail (DTR) through Colorado Senate Bill 267 (SB267) which applies to the design and construction of the Mobility Hub portion of the project.
- The City has also identified $6.3 Million of City funds to use as a local match for additional grant funds. Many grant applications require a local match to be eligible.
How much is the total Program estimated to cost and how will it be funded?
The estimated total cost of the project is around $40 Million. The city applied for a BUILD Capital Grant intended to fund construction for the entire program. The city has not yet found out if they were successful for that grant. If the city does not receive the grant, they will begin looking at other options to construct a subset of the Program elements.
When will the project be built?
As the Program and project elements are not in final design and don’t have fully defined construction funding in place, timelines for construction are not certain. The city’s focus is on building the Mobility Hub and Parking Structure. For these two integrated projects, construction is anticipated to begin in late 2027 or early 2028. The rest of the program elements will depend on the ability to secure funding.
What will happen to existing buildings where the Mobility Hub and Parking Structure is going?
The city is working with property owners to provide a land swap or relocation so that existing businesses (like the laundromat and ski rental shop) can continue to operate in downtown if they wish. The Roberts Brothers Garage and Vintage Moose property and structures are currently being studied and anticipated to be preserved.
How did this project come about?
This specific program was first initiated and conceptualized leading into the 2021 Downtown Plan. The city has been hearing about the need for additional parking back to the mid 2010s and discussing the best location and path to construction since then. The city has been rethinking Miner Street since the 2020 Covid closures to Miner Street. The city continued to pursue funding to advance the project’s design and construction.
What is the timeline for the design process?
The 60% design and engineering for the project began in early 2025 and is anticipated to last through mid-2026. Final design and construction documents do not currently have a dedicated funding source.
How can I stay informed about the project?
The city will provide key project updates on the city website. The project team will also provide key project milestone updates to City Council and the Business and Community Promotions Board throughout the project. The project team is meeting individually and in small groups with property and business owners directly affected by any planned improvements and will host community-wide meetings and “pop-up” presentations at community events. Check the website for more information as events are planned. If you have specific questions about the project, you can contact Charlie Dyrsten at Charles.dyrsten [at] hdrinc.com (Charles[dot]dyrsten[at]hdrinc[dot]com).