3 Local Artists Champion Upcoming Safety Project with Poster Campaign
Your sneak peak at the final designs! What elements can you spot?
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (July 16, 2021) – LAKEWOOD, Colo. (July 16, 2021) – The West Colfax Safety Project awareness campaign continues! The Project is underway to create a safer and more comfortable experience for pedestrians, transit users and motorists on iconic West Colfax Avenue in Lakewood between Sheridan and Wadsworth boulevards. This segment of West Colfax has the highest concentration of traffic injuries and deaths in Lakewood, and safety improvements, particularly for pedestrians, are urgently needed. In the process of continuing to share and spread awareness of the project, three local artists created poster images depicting their representation of the project and a safer West Colfax. Through collaboration with the 40 West Arts District, artists Amy Browkaw, Chelsea Romaniello, and Craig Rouse were tasked with creating unique and varying concepts that generate interest and excitement for the project and help to spread awareness.
“We are excited to partner with 40 West Arts to continue to champion this project and share information with the community in engaging ways,” says Roger Wadnal, City of Lakewood Planning, who is leading the effort to bring this project to fruition. “Understanding the community’s needs and concerns and partnering with them in this process is critical to getting it right. We are looking forward to seeing art support and enhance this project along this segment of the Colfax corridor.”
The posters will be on display in a number of areas along West Colfax, including at Lamar Station plaza as posters in store fronts and kiosks, postcards to share with community members and in publications. Community members can also view the posters, and pick up a free postcard size version of the artwork, at the West Colfax Safety Project booth during the 40 West Arts District’s 10th Anniversary celebration on First Friday, August 6th.
The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) awarded a $10 million grant to the City of Lakewood to implement West Colfax Avenue safety and placemaking improvements. Lakewood contributed $2.5 million in matching funds, making this a $12.5 million investment in the future of this historic corridor. This project is one of 30 others funded in the metro area by $58.9 million in grants as part of State of Colorado’s Safer Main Streets Initiative.
This project will be completed by mid-2024 and is proposed to include:
Repurposing the outside lane to pedestrian use, with a comprehensive evaluation of the best redesign of the space to improve safety for all users.
Transportation infrastructure and technology elements to improve safety.
More lighting, landscaping, art, and other placemaking elements to buffer sidewalks from vehicles.
Improvements to sidewalks, accessibility ramps and enhancements to bus stops for safer, faster unloading, and brighter, more attractive waiting areas.
More directional and informational signage for pedestrian and motorists.
Citizen are encouraged to participate in the public process and give their input through the project website at https://www.lakewoodtogether.org/westcolfax.
Stay tuned in to #WestColfax & #40WestArts on social media and the monthly e-newsletter for future updates. Attend monthly WCCA meetings on Zoom. More info at https://WestColfax.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bill Marino, Executive Director, Lakewood. W. Colfax BID
720.530.6051 | wpm@GoWestColfax.org | https://GoWestColfax.org