Sterling, ColoradoDowntown Master Plan Concepts

December 2010

Entry Improvements

Project Goals:

Provide design treatments that represent the rich character of historic Sterling

Screen industrial development along the entry drive

Direct visitors to the core of Historic Downtown Sterling

Provide design ideas for the Platte River and Rail Bridge crossings.

Platte River CrossingRoadside Enhancement

Boulevard Treatments

Entry Signage and Landscaping

The ‘S’-CurveProject Goals:

Investigate if it is possible to locate a 4 lane “bypass” of the core downtown district.

Resolve the 5 intersection mess at Main-SH14-Division.

Provide strong entry locations into the downtown district

Investigate potential alternate routes for large truck traffic and what that could do for the downtown shopping atmosphere.

Existing conditions with abandoned Rail Corridor

Highway Reconfiguration

Issue: Hwy 6 brings heavy truck traffic into downtown and limits 2 way traffic downtown.

Recommendation: Investigate with CDOT truck by-pass alternates either east or west of the downtown district.

Issue: SH138 into Downtown now uses one-way 4th street.

Recommendation: With shift of Hwy 6 traffic and change to 2 way streets shift SH138 onto 2 way 3rd street.

Ref: Fehr & Peers Study, Dec 2009

Downtown FacadesProject goals:

Identify the downtown core and assess the condition of existing buildings

Prepare conceptual designs for returning building facades to their former character

Establish standards for façade upgrade funding applications

Look for opportunities where redevelopment can add residential lofts and professional office space to the downtown.

Downtown Streetscape Project goals:

With shift to 2 way streets, define how the streetscape can look to enhance pedestrian movement and shop appearance.

Define pedestrian and traffic interface at intersections.

Recommend signage, benches, lighting, and other streetscape amenities for downtown

Evaluate how new traffic patterns match up and how they affect on-street parking.

Look for opportunities to create downtown plaza space for local events and gatherings.

Colorado State University - Extensionand

Colorado Department of Local Affairs

Rural Technical Assistance Program