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Sumac Avenue design update: city to finalize property cost‑share agreements, construction expected Q3 2025
Summary
City staff updated the Transportation Advisory Board on Sumac Avenue improvements between Broadway and 19th Street, reporting support from residents for the concept design, one‑on‑one meetings with property owners over cost‑share obligations under existing annexation agreements, and an anticipated construction start in third quarter 2025.
City of Boulder planners told the Transportation Advisory Board on Jan. 22 that the Sumac Avenue corridor improvements between Broadway and 19th Street are moving into final design as staff meet individually with property owners about cost‑sharing arrangements.
John McFarlane, senior transportation planner leading the Sumac Avenue project, said 80 percent of Sumac residents who participated in a public open house and questionnaire supported the project concept. The design focuses on pavement reconstruction, improved drainage for routine storm events, a new sidewalk and pedestrian crossings, a flashing beacon to the Inland Lake trailhead, and preserving on‑street parking and landscaping where feasible.
The project is unusual because several property owners along Sumac are subject to annexation agreements that include a funding obligation for the street improvements. McFarlane said staff are holding one‑on‑one meetings with property owners and with the Boulder Valley School District, which also has frontage affected by the project, to finalize funding agreements before moving to construction.
Roger Kane, the project manager on the call, said staff are discussing tradeoffs with property owners: installing curb and gutter and a north‑side sidewalk will require restricting parking in some locations, while preserving landscaping in front of a parcel may reduce on‑street parking availability in that section.
McFarlane said staff anticipate finalizing funding agreements through the winter and beginning construction in the third quarter of 2025, with a construction timeline of about nine to 12 months.
Why it matters: Sumac provides access to Crestview Elementary and local trailheads and has constrained right‑of‑way that requires tradeoffs among parking, landscaping and pedestrian space. Final design choices will affect neighborhood parking and the timing for required resident cost shares under annexation agreements.
What’s next: Staff will complete one‑on‑one meetings, finalize funding agreements, and begin construction planning for summer 2025. McFarlane and Kane asked TAB members to forward constituent inquiries directly to project staff for coordinated responses.
Quotes in this article are drawn from the Jan. 22, 2025 TAB meeting transcript.
