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Residents and business owners urge Englewood to accelerate South Broadway revitalization; concerns voiced on events and affordability
Summary
Dozens of residents and several South Broadway business owners told the City Council at its June 2 meeting they support a planned revitalization of the South Broadway corridor, asking for safety upgrades, events, placemaking and housing affordability; a few speakers urged caution about noise and parking impacts.
At the regular City Council meeting on Monday, June 2, a lengthy public-comment period focused on the South Broadway revitalization project, with residents, business owners and neighborhood activists offering both support and cautions about the plan.
Business owner Whitney Bradford, co‑owner of Western Sky Bar and Taproom at 4361 S. Broadway, said her establishment draws customers from across the region but that the corridor’s physical conditions and perception make it hard for small businesses to thrive. “We’ve built relationships with an incredible community of regulars,” Bradford said, and asked the council to “make it easier for businesses like mine to not only survive but to thrive.” Several other speakers echoed that request: they urged crosswalks and traffic calming near Western Sky, improved lighting and sidewalks, activating the green space north of Western Sky for pop‑up events, and more signature events that link the corridor to Downtown Englewood.
Speakers also urged housing affordability and mixing uses into the corridor. Sam Koenig asked council to “add housing redevelopment back into the South Broadway revitalization project,” saying metro housing prices and limited supply push families out and that adding housing near businesses would support local commerce. Multiple speakers recommended wider sidewalks, bike lanes, improved transit access, public art and programming to create “third places” for neighbors.
Not every commenter supported the same approach. Judith Marathal, a District 4 resident, opposed bringing signature events to South Broadway, saying those activities would create crowds, noise and parking strain that would impair the “present quality of life” in adjacent residential blocks. Several other residents asked the city to balance change with protection for existing neighborhoods and to use committees and engagement to design measures that reflect neighborhood character.
Council members responded in kind. Mayor Pro Tem Anderson read a summary of recurring suggestions — events, safety, bike and pedestrian improvements, housing affordability, tree canopy and neighborhood organization — and said the city had heard “loud and clear” support for revitalization while noting concerns raised by others. Member Noonan Camp and other councilmembers encouraged continued community participation and committee work. The council did not take a vote on the revitalization concept at the meeting but directed staff to continue public engagement and to incorporate many of the suggestions into planning materials for upcoming meetings.
