Residents asked to help shape Cleave Street redevelopment at Design the Block-Shape the Future events

Community members gathered Thursday at the Estes Valley Community Center to help shape the future of a key downtown redevelopment project during two “Design the Block, Shape the Future” open house meetings hosted by the Town of Estes Park, the Estes Park Housing Authority, Whimsadoodle, and International Architects Atelier.

One session was held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the other from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The informal public engagement events invited residents to review concept boards, discuss ideas with project representatives, and provide feedback on a proposed mixed-use development along Cleave Street in the heart of the Estes Arts District.

Participants filled out sticky notes with comments and suggestions and used colored dots to rank potential amenities, retail options, and food-and-beverage concepts they would like to see incorporated into the project.

The redevelopment area includes three adjacent properties owned by the town, the housing authority, and Whimsadoodle. The collaborative effort seeks to create a unified development that expands downtown activity while addressing several community needs.

Project goals include increasing access to downtown, adding parking, providing workforce and artist housing, and extending commercial activity beyond Elkhorn Avenue through a mix of retail, dining, gallery, and arts-related spaces.

“The goal is to bring together gathering spaces, community spaces, public spaces that are for not only tourists and visitors, but really for the people of Estes Park,” said Ava Amiratti of International Architects Atelier, the Kansas City-based design firm working on the project.

According to project representatives, the concept would replace an existing town-owned surface parking lot and redevelop nearby properties owned by the housing authority and Whimsadoodle. The proposal envisions new housing units, artist residences, gallery and workshop space, and a parking structure tucked behind active street-front development rather than prominently visible from the street.

Amiratti said the project could provide not only the 110 to 120 parking spaces previously contemplated by the town but potentially an additional 20 to 30 spaces while also creating housing and commercial opportunities.

The site falls within the downtown core character area identified in the Town of Estes Park’s Downtown Plan and is intended to complement ongoing revitalization efforts along Cleave Street and in the adjacent Arts District.

Designers emphasized that the concepts displayed on Thursday were preliminary and intended to spark conversation rather than present a final design.

“We’re really at the dreaming stage, and we want to hear what people want to see,” Amiratti told attendees.

Several residents discussed how the project could help activate a portion of downtown that historically functioned as a service area behind businesses fronting Elkhorn Avenue. Others expressed support for expanding housing opportunities and creating more year-round activity downtown.

The design team encouraged attendees to identify their priorities across categories such as outdoor gathering spaces, retail uses, food and beverage offerings, arts programming, and community amenities. As participants placed stickers on the boards, emerging patterns revealed which concepts generated the strongest support.

Project representatives said public feedback collected during the event will help guide future design work as the partnership continues to refine the redevelopment concept.

While some people are interested in seeing the redevelopment of Cleave Street, the project has its critics. Two people posted public comments to the Town Board expressing their concerns. One woman who identified herself by her first name, Mary, wrote:

“I live in the old Icehouse apartment on Cleave St. I love it and feel so comfortable. It’s kind of like a co-op, one big family. I don’t want to move. I’m disabled. I have been in the area for 40 yrs. I raised my kids in Allenspark. They went to kindergarten thru highschool in Estes Park. People save money for years to vacation in the amazing Rocky Mountains. They come here for nature, relaxation, and wildlife. They save to escape the city, the lights, the commursalism (sic). So what’s happening right now in our town? Why and who wants to turn this oasis into “the city, the lights, the commercialism?” Who gains? No one gains, except for a few multi-million dollar enterprises. I would like for our fellow friends, co-workers, and town folks to be aware of this. It’ll affect you, too your input please. I’m feeling sad and lost, Mary.”

Another Cleave Street resident who signed her letter Karyn wrote: 

Regarding the meeting about “design the block-shape the future” (Cleave S t). As a long term resident, I want an answer, we all want and deserve an answer. This last year has been soooo traumatizing….sure feels like you all want us out out out of here. God Lord, can it be more obvious. Whimsadoodle come on, say it already. And write it down. We are local environmentally conscientious workers. We walk to work. We don’t leave a carbon footprint….you do….and you will continue to. It’s absolutely terrible. Yourselves andJohn Cullen’s “visions” are outlandish, selfish and unrealistic and will be the downfall of Estes Park. Your corporation is not the “end-all be-all”….don’t”“

The comments will be part of the public record. The open houses were just two of several anticipated opportunities for public input as planning for the Cleave Street project moves forward.