Broomfield Heights Stormwater and Pedestrian Improvements

This project seeks to reduce flood risk to existing properties in Broomfield Heights while improving the pedestrian environment within the project area, and establishing safer walking and biking connections to Emerald Elementary School.

Drop-in Community Open House #4

Wednesday, May 1 from 5:30-7 p.m.
Emerald Elementary School Library (275 Emerald St., enter through the main entrance)
Short Presentation at 5:45 p.m. followed by Q & A; drop in any time between 5:30 and 7 p.m.

Plan to attend the community open house to see the draft design for floodplain, stormwater and multimodal improvements on Nickel St., W 3rd Ave. and Garnet St. There will be pizza to share and activities for kids (ages 3 and older). Join the project team to learn about the design progress based on the community's preferred alternative and about the project's next steps.

Project Updates

January 2024: A Conditional Letter of Map Revision Report (CLOMR Report) was submitted to FEMA for review. A Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR), is FEMA’s comment on a proposed project that would affect the hydrologic or hydraulic characteristics of a flooding source. This project does not create a rise in water surface elevation on the City Park Channel- South Tributary with the proposed project modeling. No insurable structures will be negatively impacted as a result of the project, in fact, a significant number of structures (buildings) will be positively impacted.

The project design is still in its early stages, but as a result of the project's proposed stormwater improvements as many as 89 apartment units, 9 single-family houses and 1 commercial building would no longer be within the effective floodplain!

October - December 2023: Icon Engineering began preparing engineered plans for the project based on the Preferred Alternative. This work included additional survey, subsurface utility engineering (locating existing underground utilities), stormwater and floodplain analysis, and initial design of multimodal safety improvements. A Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessment was also submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

September/ October 2023: On September 26, 2023, Broomfield City Council approved a resolution and contract amendment with ICON Engineering for Phase 2: Design and Engineering. In late October letters were mailed to specific properties within the project area requesting 'Temporary Permission to Enter' so that project surveyors can survey grades and structure elevations necessary for floodplain modeling.

July/ August 2023: Phase 1: Alternatives Analysis concluded in July, with ICON Engineering completing a Summary Memo in August outlining the process, public engagement, and the preferred alternative.

W 3rd Ave Preferred Alternative

Based on community input gathered throughout the Phase 1: Alternative Analysis phase, a Preferred Alternative for improvements within the project area has been identified. The proposed improvements include:

• 8-ft multi-use path on the south side of 3rd Avenue
• 5-ft sidewalk on the north side of 3rd Avenue, closing the gap near Marble Street
• Parking on the north side of 3rd Avenue east of Laurel St and on the south side west of Marble St
• Striped crosswalks throughout the corridor and traffic-calming bump-outs at key intersections
• New storm inlets and underground storm drain throughout the corridor
• Reduced size of the 100-year floodplain and severity of nuisance flooding

***All proposed improvements are conceptual at this time and subject to engineering and funding constraints. Proposed improvements may vary during Phase 2: Design and Engineering.***

W 3rd Ave Alternatives

The Project Documents and Project Videos sections have information presented at Community Open House #2 on May 2, 2023. The Presentation Video (6 minutes) is a great place to start. The Presentation Boards and Board Summary provide more detail on the information presented with larger versions of the alternatives.

W 4th Ave & Garnet St

The City and County of Broomfield heard resident concerns about traffic speeds along 4th Avenue and around the corner at Garnet throughout the Alternative Analysis phase. As a result:

• Speed Limit signs were installed in July 2023 on W 4th Avenue.
• The 4th/Garnet intersection will be evaluated for potential safety improvements during the Design/Engineering phase of this project. Implementation may be limited by the project budget.
• W 4th Ave will continue to be monitored for eligibility for potential traffic mitigation; presently, the speeds do not meet the criteria.
• Learn more about CCOB's traffic mitigation program.

Community Engagement

The City and County of Broomfield will work with ICON Engineering and their sub-consultant, NHN Consulting to finalize a Public Engagement Plan as one of the first tasks of Phase 1 in January 2023. Three in-person public meetings are anticipated in Phase 1, in addition to other input opportunities such as online surveys, small group meetings, etc. Community input along with floodplain and stormwater data, current regulations, and best engineering practices will help identify and influence alternatives to address stormwater and pedestrian deficiencies. Stay tuned to this webpage for more information as the project progresses and for information about opportunities to engage in the project’s development. City and County of Broomfield online floodplain map.

Project Scope

Phase 1 - Alternatives Analysis

The City and County of Broomfield hired ICON Engineering to complete an Alternatives Analysis to identify recommended options for stormwater, floodplain, and multimodal improvements. This phase of the project kicked off in January 2023.

Phase 2 - Design and Engineering

Once preferred alternatives are identified as part of Phase 1, the project team will proceed with design and engineering, securing required permits and producing construction documents. This phase of the project is slated for completion from approximately July 2023 through June 2024.

Phase 3 - Construction

Once design and permitting is complete, the City and County of Broomfield will conduct a competitive procurement process, issuing a public Invitation to Bid. The lowest qualified bidder will be awarded a construction contract, with construction targeted to begin in late 2024.

Project Background

Broomfield Heights Filing 1, south of Midway Boulevard, is a historic neighborhood that was constructed in 1956 and 1957 before Broomfield was incorporated in 1961. Currently, this neighborhood has the highest concentrations of residential properties in the floodplain in Broomfield. This project seeks to contain and convey floodwaters from the start of the effective regulatory floodplain at Nickel St. and W. 120th St Ave./Hwy 287 to where they join the City Park Channel between W. Midway Blvd and Emerald St., reducing flood risk for existing properties.

The 2019 Broomfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Assessment identified the 3rd Avenue sidewalk, which is only 2.5 feet wide in this area, as a priority for further evaluation, and several of its minor cross streets as needing intersection crossing improvements- namely non-compliant ADA ramps and lack of crosswalks. In addition to addressing floodplain/ stormwater issues, this project will improve the pedestrian environment in this area, establishing a safer walking and biking connection to Emerald Elementary School. Specifically, the project will explore options for pedestrian improvements along 3rd Avenue from approximately Nickel Street near the Flatirons Park Apartments to Garnet Street, near Emerald Elementary School.

This project is funded by Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) created by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). The City and County of Broomfield allocated approximately $6M of its SLFRF funds in total for both the stormwater and pedestrian improvement portions of the project, inclusive of both professional services and construction.