🏙️ A new name for 16th Street Mall

🏙️ 16th Street Mall No More

The mall will officially be called 16th Street, or “The Denver Way,” which doubles as a slogan for the revamped area downtown. The Downtown Denver Partnership spent $100,000 on the rebranding and new moniker. [Denverite]

🛴 Lime, Bird Could Be Fined For Bad Rider Behavior

City Council unanimously approved new rules for scooter and bike rentals downtown, including requiring the transit devices to have technology to encourage riders to stay off sidewalks and designated parking areas. The city will be able to fine micromobility companies for violations of the rules. The changes will take effect in July 2026. [9News]

🚢 Which Titanic Exhibit Is The Best?

There are two different Titanic exhibitions happening in the city right now – one, an immersive recreation of the oceanliner’s deadly journey and the other, a deeper look at “unsinkable” Denverite Molly Brown’s work helping fellow survivors after the shipwreck. The City Cast Denver crew dove into both and ultimately decided which experience is worth the money. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🐴 Vote On National Western Center Expansion Delayed Again

In a split vote, City Council delayed voting on an $800 million plan to add an equestrian center, hotel, and housing to the National Western Center because of a request from community advocates for changes to the project. A neighborhood group concerned about potential gentrification effects of the plan is asking for developers to invest more money in a community fund to prevent displacement. [Denver Post 🔒]

Recently on the City Cast Denver podcast, one Denverite shared his vision to put a gondola downtown — and it inspired strong emotions, both positive and negative. Here’s what y’all had to say about the proposed sky transit idea 🚡

Some tidbits from the inbox and social media 💌 ⬇️

Some Denverites are excited about the idea, like fred_rocket, on Instagram, who said he’d like to see a gondola option in pedestrian areas:

“I LOVE the idea! I had a similar thought years ago when I used to live in Cap Hill and work at the Cheesecake Factory, but my thought at the time was just to replace the mall shuttle with a fixed gondola. I still think that alone would be a big improvement. A ‘pedestrian area’ should preclude the need to look over your shoulder in case a 15 ton bus might be rolling towards you. A gondola would open up the whole width of those blocks to be both car free and bus free.”

Others, like Nancy B., were less enthusiastic and worried the technology would impede pedestrians instead of helping them:

“Everything that Mr. Ross proposed would make the 16th Mall an impassable jungle of mechanical stuff. No one would be able to stroll the Mall. You wouldn’t be able to see the sky. And the budget would be astronomical. I support Mr. Ross’ willingness to dream about the Mall. But give me the ability to walk the Mall unimpeded and enjoy being outside.”

Lots of commenters said they would rather see the money go to existing public transit options. Instagram user chloeneast said it succinctly:

“Just build a reliable public transit system for the love of god.”

A few people pointed out potential flaws, like Redditor pawpawpersimony:

Some noted that gondolas have worked in other cities, like Medellin and Mexico City, but weren’t sure it would be a good idea for Denver. On Instagram, pevinkarker summed it up:

“Gondolas are actually an up-and-coming form of public transit that have been successfully implemented in other cities and countries. ... Not saying it's the solution for Denver, I’m personally a fan of expanding RTD and BRT, but it is a legitimate option for many places.”