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BJP2-OH1-Summary Report Boulder Junction Phase 2 OPEN HOUSE #1 – SUMMARY OF FEEDBACK I. Highlights For this first stage of the project, Task 1 – Background Inventory/Phase 1 Report, the project team sought community feedback through several channels, in addition to the four Focus Groups, including: • The project’s online BeHeard Boulder platform, which included the online questionnaire that was available from March 29 – April 28 • In-person Open House #1 meeting on April 17 • Emails The main engagement (and communication) goals for Task 1 were to (i) build community’s understanding of the project, process and boundaries; (ii) to gather feedback and lessons learned on the outcomes of Phase 1; and (iii) to understand what people like or dislike about the current Phase 2 area. This report summarizes the feedback received during all engagement activities related to the first Open House, which includes the in-person event, online questionnaire (which mirrored the in-person engagement activities) and emails received. There were 83 responses to the online questionnaire, which was available in both English and Spanish. About 40 people attended the in-person Open House. A summary of the responses is available below and specific comments and feedback received are provided in section II – Compilation of Feedback. Land Uses We asked: What are your top 3 priorities for a complete Boulder Junction Phase 2 neighborhood?  The three most popular responses were: (i) food & beverage, (ii) green space and (iii) outdoor public space. Example of food & beverage Example of green space Example of outdoor public space  The respondents’ lowest priorities were industrial space, office space and retail & services. Example of industrial space Example of office space Example of retail & services BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 2 | May-2023 Neighborhood Character We asked: What neighborhood character would you like to see the most in Phase 2?  The four most popular responses were (i) buildings that activate public spaces such as a creek or a plaza, (ii) space for public amenities along the street, (iii) buildings set back to allow for small public spaces and (iv) buildings with a variety of mass, scale and architectural detail. Example of buildings that activate public spaces Example of space for public amenities along the street Buildings set back to allow for small public spaces Example of buildings with a variety of mass, scale and architectural detail  The lowest priority was preserving the industrial character followed by buildings close to the street. Example of buildings close to the street Example of preserving industrial character Transportation We asked: What additional connections in the Phase 2 area would make transportation more successful?  Many respondents pointed to the need to reinstate transit services; to favor biking and walking over vehicles; improve connectivity between Phase 1 and Phase 2 with surrounding neighborhoods (including Valmont BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 3 | May-2023 Park, 29 Street, YMCA etc.); slow traffic on Pearl Parkway; and improve north south connections, including over Pearl Parkway. Many people have asked questions about the likelihood of rail service in the near future. Phase 1 Outcomes The project team sought to understand people’s views on the outcomes of Phase 1, so that lessons could be applied to Phase 2. We asked: What do you like or dislike about Phase 1?  Many (but not all) respondents appreciated the substantial number of housing units in Phase 1 that have been added to the city’s housing stock, the intention of a transit-oriented development and the urban feel. However, there were several comments to making the dense environment more livable, including more and higher quality public spaces (including places for children to play and green space) and desire for more restaurants and shops to occupy ground floors for greater neighborhood vibrancy. Some respondents would have liked to see a greater variety of housing types and less apartments; and a more concentrated ‘main street’ or specific nodes for retail. Respondents had mixed views on the character or urban design of the area, with some appreciating the “cool and urban” look – and many others feeling it is too “sterile” or “modern and cold”. Several respondents complained about inadequate parking and poor ADA accessibility. Specific places that people shared that they like include Goose Creek, historic Boulder Depot, the festival street and specific buildings due to their architectural design or because they provide affordable housing. Views on Phase 2 We asked: What do you like or dislike about the current Phase 2 area?  Many respondents expressed the view that redevelopment with more mixed uses, better connections throughout and more inviting streetscapes is welcome but should be accompanied with the retention of beloved local businesses as much as possible. Many like the industrial feel and expressed concerns with driving out commercial and industrial services, while others would like to maximize multi-family housing. Several respondents highlighted the need for better landscaping, more green and public spaces. Many highlighted the nuisance of noise from low-flying airplanes. Several places in Phase 2 were highlighted as popular destinations, including sports facilities, a bakery, a brewery, a school, an art studios, outdoor gear shops and a social club. The specific places that people mentioned disliking are mainly large parking lots or spots with difficult access. Who did we hear from? The opportunity to provide feedback was advertised widely and open to anyone in the community. There was specific outreach to 30PRL, Orchard Grove manufactured housing community and San Juan del Centro with the support of community connectors; and a postcard was mailed to all Phase 2 property owners informing them of the open house and other engagement opportunities. The online questionnaire was available in both English and Spanish. We heard from people who live in Boulder, who live in Boulder Junction and from people who live outside of Boulder. People who attended the Open House or took the online questionnaire were encouraged to answer some questions about themselves to assist with receiving demographic information about people who are engaging in the project. The questions were optional, so any demographic information that was received is only a reflection of those who chose to BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 4 | May-2023 respond. About 25% of the respondents either live or work in Boulder Junction. About 33% of respondents who shared their housing situation are renters. About 8% of respondents who chose to share their race or ethnicity are non-white. Respondents represented a wide age range, with the majority of respondents being between 35-54 years old. Respondents also represented a good balance of genders. The project team will continue its efforts to ensure feedback is received from diverse voices in the community and a wide variety of people are engaged in the project. BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 5 | May-2023 II. Compilation of Feedback Question 1: What are your top 3 priorities for a complete Boulder Junction Phase 2 neighborhood? • More than 40% of respondents chose food & beverage (43%), green spaces (43%) and outdoor public spaces (41%) as their top priorities. • The 4th most popular response was transportation facilities (32%) followed by residential (25%), community spaces (24%) and retail & services (20%). • Office space (11%) and industrial space (4%) were the lowest priorities. • 12% indicated ‘other’. Question 2: From the priorities listed in the previous question, what would you prioritize the least? • When given one choice, the lowest priorities were industrial space (35%) and office space (31%). • Transportation facilities and outdoor public spaces were the least selected responses (2% each). 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Industrial space Office space Retail & services Community space Residential Transportation facilities Outdoor public space Green space Food & beverage 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Outdoor public space Transportation facilities Community Space Food & beverage space Green space Residential Retail & services Office space Industrial space BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 6 | May-2023 Question 3: What neighborhood character would you like to see the most in Phase 2? (Select up to 3) • Half of respondents (50%) favored buildings that activate public spaces such as a creek or a plaza. • The next three most popular responses were space for public amenities along the street (40%), buildings set back to allow for small public spaces (35%) and buildings with a variety of mass, scale and architectural detail (33%). • The 3 least popular responses were preserving the industrial character (11%), high levels of transparency on the ground floor (14%) and buildings close to the street (18%). • 7% selected ‘other’. Question 4: What neighborhood character would you prioritize the least for Phase 2? • Almost one-third of respondents (32%) thought that preserving the industrial character was the lowest priority. • Other low priorities were buildings close to the street (21%) and buildings set back to allow for small public spaces (14%). • Public art and buildings that activate public spaces (such as the creek or a plaza) were the least selected option for this question (5% each). 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Other Preserving the industrial character High levels of transparency on the ground floor Buildings close to the street Public art Buildings with a variety of mass, scale and… Buildings set back to allow for small public spaces Space for public amenities along the street Buildings that activate public spaces such as a… 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Public Art Buildings that activate public spaces such as a creek… Space for public amenities along the street High levels of transparency on the ground floor Buildings with a variety of mass, scale and… Buildings set back to allow for small public spaces Buildings close to the street Preserving the industrial character BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 7 | May-2023 Question 5: Please describe additional connections in the Phase 2 area that would make transportation more successful. • More transit service, including, but not limited to: extension of the "HOP" bus and higher service frequency for the "208" bus. • Restriction of cars on all roads within the phase 2 development zone. • Make streets out of cobblestone/brick to reduce urban heat island effect and increase water drainage, make all streets pedestrian/bike/transit/emergency vehicles only (like Barcelona's Superblocks). • Provide connectivity to Valmont Park. • I believe the proposed rail station is essential and paramount to the overall success of the Boulder Junction zone. Access to Denver and other front range cities by rail will greatly enhance the economic and social benefits that the area has to offer • No street in a walkable community should ever end in a cul-de-sac. Find a way to connect old Pearl St. to the other proposed dead-end just to its north. Always look to connect the end of cul- de-sacs to something else. • What is the plan for people in Phase 2 to have ready access to the transit station and eventual rail station? Would an underpass be feasible? And will there be secure bike parking areas? • Can you go over the railway to connect the east and west sides? That would be nice. • Pedestrian/cycling overpass (NOT underpass) to cross the rail line somewhere between Valmont and Pearl. Enforcement of no camping rules in the underpass at the Depot along Goose Creek Path. • Greenway and multi-use path connections. • More pedestrian friendly sidewalks in Phase 2 and an additional pedestrian / bike friendly connection between Phase 1 and Phase 2. • Multi-use path along railway should continue all the way to diagonal. An underpass at North Boulder Farmers Ditch under Pearl could be awesome! I would prefer fewer vehicle connections as well - roads should allocate bare minimum space to vehicles and be designed to funnel cars out of the space and onto main roads. I'd like to see actual pedestrian only streets (not just paths) like downtown Pearl. • Underpass under pearl parkway North/South where multi-use path crosses pearl parkway. • Parking. • Dedicated bus-only lanes on Pearl Parkway. • The biggest improvement would be to bring robust RTD service back to Boulder Junction. The area is fairly pedestrian and bike friendly. This should only improve as more homes are added through TVAP 2. It would be great to see improved pedestrian connections to 29th Street, Google, the YMCA, etc. The city should treat all these areas as one connected district and make it as walkable and bike-friendly as possible. • As a heavy user of Goose Creek path for biking, and many businesses in the Phase 1 district, please keep bike paths in all directions. Also, reality is traffic is getting bad at 30th and Valmont/Pearl. Cars need to get in and out of the area too. BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 8 | May-2023 • It's possible that this single Boulder stop for Amtrak and RTD might have a lot of people visiting the city. Do we have the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the visitors? • More bike paths. • A real connection to Denver. • Train! • This question is incredibly unclear. • Connections need to be eliminated from Denver and Longmont. • I'm really hoping the proposed rail station becomes a reality one day. • Get rid of the tow planes first. • Better/reinstated RTD service. • An elevated walkway like the high line. • One creek crossing and connection south are important- glad to see in plan. • This needs a lot of work. The current cul-de-sacs are beneficial and serve to decrease traffic, not enable it. • Proposed sidewalks are just more concrete and would duplicate the multi-use path. • The extension of Frontier north needs to contour west at Goose Creek to the Wilderness Place extension. The left then immediate right is dangerous and confusing. • The A - U - B bikeway along Boulder Farmers Ditch between the rail line and Foothills just duplicates the existing multi-use path on both sides of Pearl Parkway. • The A street extension from the B-F ditch goes nowhere. • Extending Frontier street south, (U) requires yet another rail crossing and would only increase traffic on what is now a quiet cul-de-sac. • The south Center Green extension is just silly. • Phase 2 needs a few carefully thought out connections especially between Phase 1 and Phase 2, not the unnecessary duplications and potential for increased traffic shown in this diagram. • Continue the multi-use path south down the railway and connect it to the multi-use path on the south side of Pearl by a raised pedestrian bridge over Pearl parkway. Boulder is full of disconnected pathways, which is a poor culture to develop. Our neighbors need to be connected. • I think one way that you could make transportation more efficient is by making the areas that will have the stops be clean and that they have benches and a ceiling when it rains. • More natural paths, less concrete. • No complaint. • Another multi use path over foothills Pkwy between Valmont and greenway. • None. • Greater accessibility; better throughput of streets/sidewalks. Two pedestrian bridges over tracks for pedestrian accessibility. streets are minimally accessible for ADA transportation buses, BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 9 | May-2023 especially when there's on-street parking. No on-street parking unless carved out of building land with parking and sidewalk setback. • Cars are important but make the plan consistent with reduced asphalt and more plaza/street scape that integrates movement though the area. • As a bicyclist, I would welcome a bridge over the goose creek path! Add multi use paths along the rail line maybe! • Why doesn’t the path paralleling the tracks not go all the way to Valmont? Forcing micro-mobility onto wilderness place will discourage cyclists/peds/scoots/etc. • The roadway bridge... seems like this will just make it easier for people driving and again discourage alternate transportation, which I don’t believe is the goal. • I wish the bus stops had roofs to protect from the elements and were clean. • Pearl Parkway should be embellished being the entrance to our city. • Slow traffic down on Pearl Parkway west of Frontier Question 6: Please describe what you like or dislike about the Phase 1 area. The open-ended feedback on Phase 1 has been sorted into 3 main categories without any modification to the text: (i) land use, (ii) transportation and (iii) urban design. Additional comments that do not fit into these 3 categories are also included under ‘other’ and ‘places we like’ and ‘places we dislike’. 1. Land Use Feedback Green/open/public space • Parts of the area feel too dense. I would like to see more green space and more open space. • It also lacks green space and feels like an emerging heat island. • Too many tall buildings with no meaningful outdoor green space. • No real park. • No open space . • Need more playgrounds. • No place for kids to play. • Not enough green space/encourage enjoyment of Goose Creek. • Not enough green space. There is a park in Steelyards but it is private. • There is no park. I would love a park here with a bunch of seating options, but I understand this may not be possible due to the people who would try to sleep there. • One thing that I dislike is that there are no parks and that people do not pick after their dog's poop and there should be more trees. Housing related • Need more permanently affordable housing including homeowner units. BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 10 | May-2023 • Too many apartments. • I like 25% affordable housing. • I would also like to see affordable single-family homes versus just condominiums. • High level of affordable and moderately priced housing. • Too many apartments. • Crappy condos that are too tall. Housing prioritized for homeless and criminals. Mixed use/density • Inactivated ground floor • I like the variety of architectural styles and housing types. I do wish there were more restaurants or retail components to activate the neighborhood a bit more. • I like the moderately increased height of the buildings in the area compared to other parts of Boulder, as it increases density without being too disruptive to Boulder's unique character, and I also like the mixed use retail/housing combination that lends itself to a walkable, liveable neighborhood. • I love the dense urban character of Phase 1! I especially love the use of the Boulder Slough as a wonder public gathering space (now it just needs some retail so people start to actually gather there). • I like the mix of housing and commercial space, the depot square open area/restaurant and connections to the goose creek bike path. • I like that there are retail and restaurants on the first floors of the buildings with residential above it. • Lots of vacant businesses. • Too much density. Density is stressful. People come to Boulder to get away from crowded, dense living. Too many people crammed together. • I like the density, lean into that and bike/walk/public transit. • I like the mixed use across the board so I can walk to a grocery, coffee shop. • Phase 2 should have more retail and the retail should be clustered (unlike Phase 1). The dispersed retail isn’t good for pedestrians or making vibrant streets. • I like the high density of residential uses. I like the ground floor retail/restaurant spaces. I like the narrow streets with wide sidewalks. • I like the concept of TOD (let’s get the transit back). • We still haven’t gotten to the tight European street model which so many love but I think we can get there. • The small streets/urban feel. • I would love to see more independent local businesses. • I dislike the lack of a defined, pedestrian-oriented neighborhood center/main street where most storefronts would be concentrated. • great area facing main road as well as great shopping spots great for exploring and getting some shopping out of the way. BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 11 | May-2023 2. Transportation Feedback Parking related • Not enough parking. • The lack of parking means I do not visit businesses in this area. • Not enough parking, what little parking is available is too expensive. • Lack of parking access for those who would like to frequent business but do not live in the Phase 1 area, lack of restaurant space (because parking is needed). • Parking garages do not feel safe for someone alone. Street design • I like the woonerf streets. • The worst thing about Phase 1 is the awful and unreadable traffic circle (or whatever that thing is with the black bollards) in front of the old Depot building. • Plaza w/ bollards in front is difficult to navigate. • Too many cars. the plaza outside the station with the confusing tiles that drivers can't navigate. If you want to know what ruins a space for people scaled activating... it's cars. • The street in front of the Boulder Roadhouse Depot is the most stupid street in all of Boulder. • Valmont, a W to E running street is often unpleasant for pedestrians due to gusty western winds. • Too tight. Too many cars on the street. Cars traveling too fast. Multi-use path • Goose Creek Greenway traps you in a lower multi-use path with others who might not be using the greenway socially (read anti-social behavior) with few escape points because it's below the street level. • Bike path connection is great. • I also really dislike the fact that every summer the underpass along Goose Creek at the Depot becomes a stolen bicycle chop shop. I don't know what you have to do but the unhoused people camped along Goose Creek are a menace and leave a gigantic mess. • Goose Creek greenbelt unsafe. Inadequate sidewalk lighting. discourages nightlife or activities after dark because of transient population migrates to areas where less visibility. Transit related • I dislike the high distance from transit connections for a "TOD" community. With no guarantees that the Denver-Boulder-Longmont train is coming, we need to be proactive in increasing local walkability and transit service to the Boulder Junction community. • The railroad will never carry passengers-why would someone want to be on a train for longer than it would take to drive? • The current lack of transit in a transit-oriented development. • Lack of room for Commuter and regional trains. Do they intend to stop in Boulder at this location? BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 12 | May-2023 • We are a NECO pass hood with great location for Boulder’s Bound, 205 and 208 bus service and yet incredibly lacking accommodations for would be bus riders. • There is no bus shelter for Bus 208 which is excellent transport carrier to many Boulder destinations (Safeway, 28th Street retail, Boulder Medical Center, Main Post Office, and downtown bus and rail exchange station). • There is a metal bench on N side of Valmont at 34th; no bench on S side just before RR tracks and no wind/rain/snow shelter at either. • Would like more frequent bus service from Denver to this area. • Buses, RTD, HOP, etc. • RTD buses sometimes don't work. • RTD buses not working. • TVAP but no buses? • Lots of bus connections along 30th street. Nice bike lanes on 30th (that I wish they plowed more). Other • Not pedestrian-friendly, especially for the disabled. Poor ADA accessibility for mobility transit. Inadequate street handicap parking. • Airport noise. Those planes are constant and loud. • Get rid of that airport noise. • Having low planes flying over all day. 3. Urban Design Feedback – likes • I like the feel of the neighborhood around the old train station. • I think it looks very cool and urban. I would live there. • Appreciate architectural “lift and intriguing angles” of buildings fronting rail track. First level murals facing North are excellent, elevated in abstraction, color and convey movement as one would wish facing train rails. • Roof deck@Depot. • the compact forms/buildings has a great sense of enclosure and increased sense of community neighborhood. • Pearl Parkway design and how the buildings address the street. 4. Urban Design Feedback – dislikes • Make path more inviting: Wilderness Place - Steelyards: light, playground, art. • Phase 1 feels very concrete heavy with little architectural interest or variety. • too modern and cold feeling. Doesn't mesh with Boulder's character of airiness, nature, views. • Too urban industrial. BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 13 | May-2023 • Denver urban feel. Wish it felt more like a welcoming neighborhood. Feels hard, cold, industrial. • Plaza in front of Depot. • Too much concrete, "Plaza" is very unattractive and extremely hot in summer months. • Architecture all looks the same. • Too many different and distracting architectural styles that compete and create a tension. • Buildings are too uniform and boring. • homogenous architecture. Nothing contextual. Looks low-quality. Poor materials selection. • I hate the way all the new buildings all look like they were put together by a toddler with access to photoshop. They have no character, just a disarray of different styles haphazardly slapped together with no aesthetic sense. The new buildings are SO UGLY. Please do not encourage more of this garbage architecture. • It's very ugly, not enough parking, not enough space for signage so not immediately obvious what is on the ground floor. • Industrial buildings are ugly. • It looks like downtown Denver with large square buildings; no open space…everyone talks about how ugly and urban the whole area looks. Not what Boulder has always been. Can’t see a tree or grass all along Pearl and 30th. • Lacks architectural appeal, with little thought to design or variation, "brick ugly" along 30th Street, not warm or inviting, just crammed in with streets catering to cars instead of where there could be green pathways, benches, and landscaping. • There’s an awful lot of concrete, not enough green. Homeless problems too. • Empty, lack of architectural interest, big blocks of building. • The building colors are drab and the architecture is too uniform and monolithic. • There are way too many apartments and they all look alike. The buildings need to have more variety of their styles. • don’t like the lack of greenery (bushes). • There isn't much greenery (trees, shrubs, etc.). • Needs more trees and places to gather. • not appealing to children and families who need grass, bushes, space to play. • not great for families with elementary aged kids. • Need more greening roof/solar. • Add more green roofs. • Has a private development feeling (not public). • Depot Square feels like a waste of public space. • mural closest to commercial strip is “dispiriting, poorly rendered; mural at Ciclo is aesthetically “well rendered”, yet has no connection to the “hood” (not Castroville). • New buildings are built to the streets edge and look alike. BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 14 | May-2023 • All of the buildings constructed in Phase 1 are uninteresting and generic in design so the Phase 1 neighborhood is not inviting to community and has no authentic energy to draw people from other neighborhoods. Phase 1 area still feels like a dead zone. Lack of use of public areas by community seems to have fostered some neighborhood crime as well. • I think that because the first phase is so new it lacks mature trees and feels sort of barren and lonely. I suspect over time and when built out it will feel better. I realize that the area reserved for a park was needed for construction staging but it seems so sad to not have this minimal green space available to the residents. • There are apartments in the affordable housing building where they face inward and because of the close proximity, are looking into each other's living spaces. It coincides with the lack of green spaces to just spend time outdoors and enjoy the beauty of Boulder that is blocked by the configuration of the apartments. There is a concrete roof deck, but it is far removed from nature. • There is also a small section of shared roadway along Junction Place in front of the Depot building that is a safety hazard. Cars do not slow down through that section and have run over the majority of the decorative street lights and planters. I don't sit in that courtyard area. It also gets way too hot in that courtyard because of all the concrete and stone. You will rarely see anybody spending any time there. • Bad lighting. • Valmont Road is a visual eyesore from 30th to 33rd, heavily trafficked - hence loud. • Phase I feels sterile. There are way too many cars, too much street parking, the roads are too wide, and not enough greenery and space for people. Push the storefronts much closer together and have alleys for vehicles in the back. Saves space and allows you to get around without constantly crossing streets and worrying about large dangerous vehicles. Building should also be a floor taller or so to make the whole thing more economical. I like the initiative a lot, but there were too many compromises to allow for car access everywhere. It's really as simple as limiting car access and using spaces for people. 5. Other – Likes • Love living in the geographic center of Boulder. • The new development that happened in the last three years are very interesting and successful. • The density and height of some of the buildings works wells- could have been 5 floors in some areas. 6. Other - Dislikes • It’s kinda dead. • Since there is no other space, I will use this space to emphasize the importance of enforcing our camping ban, and removing illegal tents. The overlap of elective homelessness, drug use, and crime and violence is rampant, and the city must ensure that citizens are not forced to suffer for the illegal usurpation of public lands. • The homeless. • The number of encampments in this area is a safety hazard. • Trespassing in Depot Square parking garage stairwells. • Dogs poop everywhere. • I get annoyed with dog owners for not picking up there dog’s mess. BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 15 | May-2023 • Too much marijuana smell. • It’s not usually space and the pizza restaurant was put out of business. • Undeveloped space. • I live near 34th and Valmont, so far very few of the businesses have moved into the Valmont side of phase 1 are available for local people to use. 7. Places we like • S’Park Market Building (‘like building’; like paved alley) • 30 PRL (like affordable housing) • Hyatt Hotel • Historic Boulder Depot/Roadhouse • Tree row along Pearl Pkwy outside Boulder Square Apartments • Boulder Commons (quality building materials) • Goose Creek (This area turned out FANTASTIC! It is great to see our waterways turned into usable public spaces. Please do more of this!) • Festival street • North Boulder Farmer’s Ditch underpass • Junction Place/Meredith intersection • Junction place/Bluff intersection • Junction Place (South of Pearl Parkway)- access to Walnut • 3060 Pearl - This alley was a huge success! This would not have been possible without the TVAP Connections Plan, and the success of these connections demonstrates why EVERY sub-area of Boulder needs to have a good connections plan in place prior to redevelopment. • 3350 Bluff Street - I love the look and feel of this development. The design of the street, in particular, should be a model for every urban street in Boulder. • 2438 30th Street - I dislike this building, and I especially dislike the parking lot along Goose Creek. This site could use some urban design love to better integrate it into the look and feel of the neighborhood. • I really like how Pearl Parkway turned out with its "Parisian" style side-lanes. I can't help but think though - a Dutch-inspired design with protected bike lanes would have been better. 8. Places we dislike • Steelyards park – can’t walk dog there because it’s private • Corner of 31st and Carbon in Steelyards – needs more green space • REVE • Boulder Depot Square (trespassing/homeless in stairwells) • Depot Square intersection south of the bridge – bad road design • Junction Place – north of the bridge (cars too fast) • Pearl Parkway and railroad tracks • Rail/multi use path area southeast corner behind Boulder Commons BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 16 | May-2023 Question 7: Please describe what you like or dislike about the Phase 2 area. The open-ended feedback on Phase 2 has been sorted into 3 main categories without any modification to the text: (i) land use, (ii) transportation and (iii) urban design. Additional comments that do not fit into these 3 categories are also included under ‘other’ as well as ‘places we like’ and ‘places we dislike’. 1. Land Use • I like that it seems to be a less expensive area for locals. Smaller businesses. Don't want to crowd out business and make Boulder a bedroom community. • The current phase 2 area should be redeveloped with lots more housing and nice streetscapes. It would be desirable to keep as many existing businesses and industrial uses as possible. Integrating them with a new urban neighborhood could be delicate but is worth pursuing. • It is very car-oriented, low-rise, and low-density. There is not enough housing and the uses are too delineated and not mixed together in a walkable arrangement. • Like existing small businesses • Like the mixed use – e.g. ice cream shop on ground floor • Can we mix more industrial into the spaces (to preserve jobs, innovation and light manufacturing industries) but do so in combination with residential, retail, office? Make it tight and talk. Think European streets with hidden industrial. • Why are we driving necessary light industrial businesses out of Boulder forcing residents to drive to Longmont or Erie to obtain their services? • Why would we want to get rid of commercial/industrial? • Would like multiple sized housing units across the area and promoting mixed use • Needs a park • Needs a park or more green space • Parks (lack of) • Lack of parks • Needs more green space • We need parks • We don't need any more condos or apartments. We need more open space or public space in the area. • Good opportunity to add open space and parks • Currently only single use industrial and not pedestrian friendly. • Area is very closed off not many businesses and more of an industrial area, nothing really attracts me to explore. • I hope you plan to convert or demolish all the light industrial space currently sitting vacant and encourage developers to build multifamily homes. • I like the mixture of business and industrial uses but would like to see more housing as well. I also like the existing green space along the goose creek bike path. • Space for art studios is a benefit now and would be great to maintain as area is developed. • Phase 2 should have multiple sized housing units across the area and promoting mixed use BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 17 | May-2023 2. Transportation • Too much parking • Too many parking lots • Eliminate parking minimum requirements • Bike paths are great. • Safe and easy crossing at Pearl and at Creek Path • More safe crossings of railroad and Pearl • Better north- south connection along creek • North/South connections • Accessible for wheelchairs • Extend/improve bus service on edges • Embellish intersection at Pearl Parkway and Rail • Bike connectivity • not enough connection to walk or bike • the area is too separated by the railroad • No rail system • Getting to Shamane's is a pain from the trail • Pearl Parkway is too fast • need for connection North of Boulder Indoor Soccer • limited connectivity to west side • separate fast bikes and pedestrians • bike path connections and existing green space is wonderful • bad lighting and dirty (lower path, N. Boulder Farmer's Ditch, 30th intersection) • Traffic congestion is already a problem. I’m concerned this town is just cramming in more. And you need to do something about the airport noise. • I don't like that there is a cul de sac in the area. Streets like Center Green and Wilderness are so cut off from everything else. Making these better connect through pedestrian and bike paths would be beneficial. Goose Creek could use some upgrading. It's not the most attractive of MUPs (multiuse paths) in the area. We also need to offer better options for people to find shelter than to camp along a MUP which scares away many potential users. • I also would like better ramps and connections between the Goose Creek path and the neighborhoods on either side of the path, because the existing ramps are too steep and hard to negotiate, especially with families or small kids. I really would like to see a safe walking/biking path that parallels the railway track because so many people use the railway right of way as a cut-through, but it needs to go all the way to Valmont, not stop halfway there as shown in the map. I guarantee people will just walk along the railway anyway. • No connecting streets, no safe space for pedestrians • transportation elements encourage driving (dislike) BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 18 | May-2023 • No pedestrian/bike rail crossings (will result in potentially dangerous "social" crossings) • Needs more bike underpasses/connections and pedestrian only zones. Area has a ton of potential and is so well located for transit-oriented development. • I dislike the lack of connections for bikes and the on grade train intersection on pearl parkway. • The intersection of Frontier and Pearl is terrible. Very difficult to cross on foot as there is no crosswalk, and turning left onto pearl can also be difficult. • Fast transit to/from Denver needs to be guaranteed. I'd spend a lot more time here if it was possible to get home easily • Dislike spaced out high traffic Pearl St. Prefer to be more walkable, comfortable for pedestrians • Dislikes: It is near the noisy Foothills parkway, which would be unpleasant to live next to. Listening to BNSF trains rattling past your home in the middle of the night would be pretty awful too. I don't think it feels too safe at night in this area, especially on the bike paths. • Dislike - speeding on existing streets; COB has 20 mph limits with zero signage or enforcement • Dislike - lack of accessible public landscaping and greenspace. Goose Creek could be much more. • Dislike - massive high voltage powerlines and towers • Connectivity north to south not so much needed (it reduces not encourages excess traffic, Foothills and 30th handle that well already.) Problem is lack of east to west connection except for Goose Creek multi use path. BNSF rail line segregates Phase 1 from Phase 2. • It's hard to get to the Shamane's Bakery. • Pearl parkway intersection does not feel very bike friendly. • More access to the goose creek path 3. Urban Design/Public Space • The area has a lot of big buildings and parking lots • We need public art • I dislike urban environments where cheap buildings sit in the middle of their lot, surrounded by parking. Buildings should be mixed-use, multi-story, and come to the street. Parking should always be hidden mid- block or in a structure. • Buildings are set back too far from the street and car parking is too prioritized. It has a very outdated, post-war suburbia feel. • Like the open grassy areas, picnic tables, an occasional sighting of small wildlife, mature shading pine trees, relative quiet and lack of vehicles. • the industrial character does not belong anymore in this part of the city • activate/embrace Goose Creek- community, retail, shop, and enjoy • Looks like it will be a replay of Phase 1. Absolutely no imagination or style. • Like the industrial feel and Sanitas brewing in Ph 2 area. • Again lack of town feeling and hustle and bustle BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 19 | May-2023 • Please do not encourage "lawn" or big grassy open unshaded fields. They are water thieves. I want open space but for god's sake, no more giant fescue lawns. • Bike/walk corridors through Phase 2 are great but could be improved with additional landscape and park features. 4. Places We Love • Sanitas Brewery • Junkyard Social • Boulder Indoor Soccer • Shamane’s Bakery (breakfast on the go, small café; please protect at all costs; hidden gem) • Goose Creek Path • Acorn School • Old Boulder Beer (was a good anchor; the loss to yet another business is sad; I used to spend a lot of time at the Boulder Brewery pub on Wilderness and the way it has been left to fester is so disappointing. This could be a fantastic outdoor gathering place but it just feels like disused industrial area, very unwelcoming). • Boulder School of Fine Arts/Arts Studios 5. Places We Dislike • The area between Boulder Indoor Soccer and Shamane’s Bakery building on either side of the Goose Creek Path. • Area near Earl’s Saw Shop building • Median area just before the eastern Phase 2 boundary along Pearl Parkway • southeast corner of multi-use path/Pearl Parkway pedestrian crossing • parking lot area outside Front Range Boxing Academy • large cluster of parking between Boulder Indoor Soccer, Repair Master's Automotive- around the Old Pearl/31st • behind Repair Master's Automotive on South side of creek • between Blue Mountain Arts and Soma Logic Inc buildings in parking area near railroad tracks • large parking areas between Biodesix and Kapp Technologies buildings • top northeast corner of Phase 2 area • West along Pearl Parkway - I dislike the way that multiple paths and facilities come together here. It would be great to see a continuous pedestrian facility link along the Boulder Slough. Finding a way for this path to cross Pearl Parkway and RR will be a challenge, but absolutely needs to be done!! • Goose Creek/middle of Phase 2 area - I dislike how the buildings that have been here for many decades turn their backs to public green spaces like the Goose Creek path. Redevelopment should embrace public spaces and put utilitarian elements, like trash and parking, where it cannot be seen. BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 20 | May-2023 • Wilderness Place Island - I'm disappointed this cul-de-sac doesn't provide a connection to either Goose Creek or the west side of Boulder Junction. • NE corner - Ugly buildings, a chain link fence, and visible surface-parking lots make for a disappointing entrance to town. I'd like to see these properties along Foothills redeveloped with better buildings • Eastern edge near Goose Creek - Wayfinding is difficult here due to the path layout. Can this be reconfigured so riders on the Goose Creek path don't have to take multiple turns to stay on that path? 6. Other • Curiously, to me the phase 2 area has more “there there” than phase 1. Shamane’s, indoor soccer, UPS, Sanitas, gyms, outdoor gear wholesale — all bring people to the area. Not much interesting yet in phase 1. • Too much drugs • No drugs • Dogs poop • The homeless • One thing that I dislike about phase 2 is that there should be more trees and that people pick up after their dog's poop and that they should keep public places plean • Phase 2 needs to stop. This area is ruined. No more development. • The number of encampments in this area is a safety hazard. • I haven’t been there • I appreciate the vibrant character of the various businesses in the zone. • Likes: It is near the Foothills and Goose creek bike paths. It seems like bus service would/should be pretty good too. There's some restaurants nearby. • This is a terribly worded question... context would be helpful here. what about the area? BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 21 | May-2023 Respondent demographics Question 1: What is your relationship to Boulder Junction? Most respondents live in Boulder with over a quarter of respondents either living or working in Boulder Junction. Some respondents were also property or business owners in Boulder Junction. *In addition to primary residence Question 2: What is your housing situation? The majority of respondents (64%) are homeowners and 33% are renters. About 2% preferred not to answer this question. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 I live in Boulder Junction I work in Boulder Junction I live in Boulder I do not live in Boulder I own property in Boulder Junction phase 1* I own property in Boulder Junction phase 2* I am a business owner in Boulder Junction Relationship to Boulder Junction BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 22 | May-2023 Question 3: What is your gender? More than half of respondents that shared their gender are men (51%) and 41% are women. About 8% preferred not to answer this question and 1% is gender non-conforming. Question 4: What is your age? The age range is spread across the options, with 37% of respondents falling between the ages of 35 and 54. There were few respondents below the age of 18 but 7% were between the ages of 18-24. More than one-fourth (28%) are 55 and over. Woman, 41% Man, 51% Gender nonconforming, 1% Prefer not to answer, 7% GENDER >18, 1% Y18-24, 7% Y25-34, 21% Y35-54, 37%Y55-64, 13% 65 & over, 15% Prefer not to say, 6% AGE BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 23 | May-2023 Question 5: What is your race or ethnicity? The majority of respondents (75%) are white. About 11% preferred not to share information on race and ethnicity. About 8% of those who selected a race or ethnicity are non-white. Question 6: What is your household income? Almost one-third (30%) of respondents chose not to disclose their income and only one person reported an income lower than $25,000. About one-third (32%) have a household income of $150,000 or more; almost one-fifth (18%) earn between $50,000-$99,000; and 9% earn $100,000-$149,999. 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80% White Latino/a Asian Black American Indian or Alaska Native Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 2 or more I prefer not to say Other (please describe): RACE & ETHNICITY 10.0% 18.0% 9.0% 32.0% 30.0% HOUSEHOLD INCOME Less than $25,000/year $25,000-$49,999/year $50,000-$99,999/year $100,000-$149,999/year $150,000/year or more I prefer not to say BOULDER JUNCTION PHASE 2 FEEDBACK - OPEN HOUSE 1 24 | May-2023 III. Open House Pictures