URGENT UPDATE: Plans for a new pickleball court complex near Denver’s Civic Center Station have been officially tabled due to budget constraints, raising questions about the future of this anticipated project. The consulting firm Stantec had proposed six pickleball courts, a seating area, and a shade canopy for the lot located at 1523 North Lincoln St., just a block west of the Colorado State Capitol.
Officials announced this critical decision earlier today, emphasizing their commitment to finding new ways to utilize the half-acre site, which has remained vacant for years. “Due to budget restrictions, we have paused the pickleball plan. We look forward to continuing our partnership with RTD and others and are exploring alternative options to activate this property in the future,” stated Jon Ewing, spokesperson for the project.
The lot, currently a fenced-off drainage area filled with rocks, is adjacent to the Regional Transportation District (RTD)’s bus stop at Colfax Avenue and Broadway. City officials, including Mayor Mike Johnston’s deputy chief of staff, Evan Dreyer, previously expressed excitement about potential developments. “That piece of property has sat empty for years and years, and we’re all excited about the possibility of being able to do something really fun and cool there,” Dreyer remarked when the plan was first revealed.
While the idea of pickleball courts remains on the table, Ewing confirmed that city officials are also considering various other, more budget-friendly options to activate the space. The land is under a long-term lease agreement with a family trust, allowing the city to utilize it for three to five years, despite RTD having its own future plans for the parcel.
As discussions continue, the community is left wondering what the next steps will be for this long-neglected area. The decision to pause the pickleball courts highlights ongoing challenges in urban planning amid budgetary limitations.
Stay tuned for further updates as city officials explore alternative uses for this prime piece of land in downtown Denver. Will the dreams of a vibrant pickleball community be revived, or will new plans take precedence? The outcome remains uncertain but critical to the vitality of Denver’s public spaces.
