September 2022 Windsor Matters Newsletter

THE OFFICIAL TOWN OF WINDSOR NEWSLETTER

WINDSOR MATTERS SEPTEMBER 2022

DOWNTOWN PARKING

Windsor Staff Work to Identify Improvements After two years of data collection, input gathering, public meetings and draft proposals, Windsor’s Town Board approved the Downtown Parking Study on Monday, July 11. Prior to that, during last year's budget approval cycle, a reserve of $1 million was allocated in the Capital Improvement Fund to actively address parking throughout the year.

Here is a list of parking improvements, some of which have already been completed, and some that are planned for the future: •

Earlier this month, the Town of Windsor finalized the purchase of 106 N. 6th St. Later this month, it closes on the lot located between 501 and 517 Ash St. Both properties are slated to become future dedicated public parking.

• Parking spaces on Birch St. and 6th St. to the west of Windsor Lake have been restriped with parallel parking on roads adjacent to homes, and angled parking elsewhere.

• There are future parking improvements coming to Boardwalk Park! The Boardwalk Park 5th St. roundabout entrance by the Farmer’s Market Pavilion is being redesignated to create more accessible parking for persons with disabilities.

• Windsor is looking to expand the existing parking lot adjacent to the Windsor-Severance Fire Museum.

According to Town Manager Shane Hale, staff looked at Boardwalk Park specifically to see if there was a more effective way to use public land that did not involve property acquisition, did not impede highly used recreation spaces, and would improve the safety of accessing highly attended events.

Meanwhile, Windsor’s Town Board, along with Hale and town staff, continue to look at improving downtown parking options to the benefit of all downtown businesses.

For further developments, visit windsorgov.com/ProjectConnect.

• The main Windsor Lake public parking lot on Birch St. will expand without impeding existing recreational space.

Pedestrian safety is paramount. In May, staff approached the Colorado Department of Transportation with a request to install 4 rapid flashing beacons at Windsor’s busiest downtown intersection: 5th and Main Street.

On Tuesday, July 12, within a week of permit approval, staff worked quickly to install them.

Windsor's historic downtown is bisected by two state highways: Hwy. 392 and Hwy. 257. These routes provide important access in and out of Windsor for local community members, pass-through commuters and trucks, all of which contribute to traffic through downtown.

Having a safe and comfortable Main Street while allowing for the needed movement of traffic through Windsor is vital to the town’s continued vibrancy. The Downtown Alternate Route Study will provide the town with a plan for reducing the impacts of congestion on Main Street.

Learn more and tell us what you think!

windsorprojectconnect.com/downtown-alternative-route-study

Work on Highway 392 Continues to Move Along There is a lot of work happening to improve traffic flow along Highway 392 this year. Here are a few highlights: • On the west side of town, staff are working on the preliminary design for the future widening of Highway 392 between Highland Meadows Pkwy. and Colorado Blvd.

Staff worked with CDOT earlier this year on completing a land and environmental survey. After the design-phase, road construction will be contingent upon securing future funding. The general cost for widening this section of the highway was estimated at $20 million, not including projected inflationary costs.

• There is also work in progress to widen Highway 392 between 17th St. and Colorado Blvd. Completion is anticipated in the fall.

• On the east side of town, Windsor staff are working with CDOT on design improvements for the intersection at Highway 392 and Hollister Lake Rd. • Looking at east-west traffic flow, of which Highway 392 is a major thoroughfare, the Downtown Alternative Route Study will capture data related to in- and through-town commuter traffic. Data will determine whether staff look toward improving eastwest traffic flows on the north side of town or if they should prioritize improvements on the south side. At some point, both options might need to happen.

Combined, $2.55 million was budgeted toward Highway 392 traffic flow improvements in 2022.

Improvements are coming to Windsor's utility billing system in late October.

Watch for more information in the October newsletter.

UTILITIES