With the announcement that the Ball Arena redevelopment has been approved and all of the checkmarks for better use of the surrounding neighborhood have been completed, one question remains: where will everyone park?
On Instagram, residents have expressed varying opinions about the parking situation. Some support the plan to use a large number of parking spaces more efficiently, while others express concerns.
“This is awesome,” said Steil.alex. “If your first concern is parking, you are part of the problem. Build cities for people, not cars.”
“Yes! Designing for people, not cars. Love to see it!” said anonymous_jackalope.
On the other hand, many people have expressed concerns about the parking lots surrounding the arena and where they will be able to park during events.
“Ya just spend more money and give people less parking options,” said carloscasta03. “Where the fuck people gonna park?” asked shawnbesson.
Since the plan is to use all the parking lot spaces for buildings and parks and remove the famous Elitch Gardens, it is unclear where everyone will park when it’s time for a sporting event or a concert.
President Jerry Orten of the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association spoke to Bucket List about the plan for parking around the arena and how it plans to cater more for people to take other forms of transportation.
“What they are planning on doing is there will be day use for the parking [garages] for office workers and then there will be evening use for events at the same parking [garages],” Orten said. “They [Kroenke Sports and Entertainment] are also anticipating and they are seeing this happening—that more and more people are coming on public transportation.”
Orten also explained how that parking isn’t going away; they plan on building garages underground as well to offer more parking spots. In addition to the parking structures, Orten doesn’t anticipate that the price for parking will increase since a variety of parking options will be completed.
Last month, KSE’s proposal to revamp Ball Arena’s 70-acre neighborhood was approved by the Denver City Council. The redevelopment of the surrounding area of the stadium is set to bring affordable housing, easy and accessible transportation, economic growth and a connection between downtown to lower downtown.
According to the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association’s redevelopment summary, 18% of both rental and homeownership units will be affordable, and the plan will improve bicycle and pedestrian paths, thereby increasing area safety. The economy will grow by offering more opportunities for workforce development, employment, local residents and small businesses. Furthermore, there will be more opportunities for families and artists with an on-site early learning center and a $5 million budget for public art.
As of now, Ball Arena offers 10 parking lots that surround the arena, where many can park and walk to the arena quickly. Additionally, there is parking right next to the arena at Elitch Gardens, where some people park. If that is not enough, there are parking lots all around the Ball Arena neighborhood, including garages and lots across the street at the Auraria Campus and across Speer Blvd.
The first phase of construction is scheduled for late 2025 or early 2026; however, if previous projects in the city are any indication, it could take longer.
For more information, visit KSE Arena Development or the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association.
