Oak Street Improvements

Project History
For decades now, residents, business owners, and City representatives have recognized the need for improved safety, connectivity, and walkability in the downtown core.

In 1997, the Steamboat Springs Mobility and Circulation Plan advocated a multi-model approach to improving mobility in Steamboat Springs. Furthermore, In 1999 The Mountain Town Sub-Area plan identified downtown Steamboat Springs as lacking a safe, high-quality pedestrian environment.

In 2006 (updated in 2016) the Steamboat Springs Sidewalk Master Plan was developed to provide guidelines for pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist facility improvements. One of the primary recommendations of these community plans included sidewalks and on-street bike lanes for Oak Street. These improvements have been supported by the Area community plan which identified the community’s desire for increased investment in our core downtown.

In a collaborative effort with The City of Steamboat Springs, the citizens of Steamboat Springs, and the Steamboat Springs Maintstreet Group, the Britina Design Group produced the Downtown Design Guidelines in 2009.

Finally, the Vision 2020 included involvement from community members and City officials within Routt County and recommended the following: “Create a multimodal transportation system of corridors, highways and pathways that will relieve congestion and move people throughout the Yampa Valley in an efficient, environmentally sound, affordable and appealing manner.

The project will improve connectivity and mobility. With mixed land uses and consistent traffic volumes, Oak Street is considered a major collector roadway. This designation refers to streets that assemble traffic from the interior of an urban area and deliver it to the closest arterial street. These streets provide for both mobility and land access to properties. Sidewalks and connectivity improvements are vital to the function and accessibility of collector streets.

In July 2015, the City Council authorized staff to move forward with a Downtown Improvement Plan that would have a three year targeted implementation based on a specific project list including construction on Yampa and Oak streets and side-streets between 3rd and 12th street. Each project has a well-defined scope and associated cost estimate.

Funding for the proposed project list includes certificates of participation, general fund revenue, grants, franchise fee restricted reserves, and a private property assessment for the cost associated with sidewalk improvements that were found deficient or missing.

Project Documents
Oak Street FAQs (PDF)