Metro Market Square

Location

No fixed address; Bound by the Crystal Square (SP #90) development area and is framed by Crystal Square to the north, 18th Street South to the south, Crystal Drive to the east, and South Bell Street to the west.,  

Status

Planning

Staff has contracted Hord Coplan Macht (HCM) as the design firm who will be developing the eventual Park Master Plan and Design Guidelines for Metro Market Square. The project is currently in the planning phase and an engagement strategy is currently in development.

Metro Market Square

About the Project

The proposed public space will be designed as part of a larger park master plan and design guidelines to be developed. The project is currently identified in the FY 2023-32 CIP as part of the "Crystal City Parks and Public Space" developments. The project is financed through developer contributions and Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

Project Goals

  • The project may contain a ground plane finished primarily in hard surfaces allowing for market uses, temporary pushcart retail, public gatherings, outdoor entertainment, and a variety of related uses.
  • Another design consideration is providing for a major connection across 18th Street South to the nearby Center Park (identified as Park #7 within the sector plan).
  • Other potential design features such as benches, café seating, larger interactive sculptures, chess tables, bosques of trees, and similar features should be incorporated into the overall design. Furthermore, pervious paving, artistic wind turbines and other artistic design elements could be incorporated into the public space.
  • The community engagement process will also solicit potential park names for the public space. Potential name(s) will then be considered as part of the County's process for park/public facility naming which includes review by the Park and Recreation Commission.

 

Background

The project was first considered as a public space identified in the Crystal City Sector Plan (2012) as Park #8. The Public Spaces Master Plan (2019) also considers the development of new public space areas including those in Crystal City. The site is entirely within the Crystal City Civic Association boundary and adjacent to the Aurora Highlands Civic Association. This new public space will be one of three new public amenity projects currently underway, including two new Department of Environmental Services (DES) projects: 18th Street South street/sidewalk improvements to the south of the park and the new Crystal City East Metro Entrance to the east of the park.

 

About the Process

Click the dropdowns below to explore details of the project process. You can also access the project timeline graphic here.

Fall 2024 - Feedback on Existing Conditions and Use

Level of Engagement: Involve

From October 23 to November 22, 2024, staff solicited feedback on the community's vision for Metro Market Square. Approximately 163 community members participated in the first engagement across in-person events and an online feedback form. The feedback received will help staff develop draft concepts for the park.

You can find a PPT summary of the themes and outcomes from the first engagement here. You can also access the raw data and comments from the online feedback form using this link.

If you'd like to learn more about the project's origin, site location, and opportunities and constraints, you can watch our project video here.

Winter-Spring 2025 - Feedback on Draft Concepts

Level of Engagement: Involve

The project team will provide draft concept designs based off of feedback from the first engagement. Community members will be encouraged to share their feedback on the draft concept designs through an online questionnaire.

Summer 2025 - Share Final Draft Design

Level of Engagement: Consult

The project team will share the final draft design for Metro Market Square and ask for community feedback before finalizing the design.

Fall 2025 - County Board Action

Level of Engagement- Communicate

The County Board will consider the construction bid for approval. 

Winter 2026/2027 - Construction Begins

Level of Engagement - Communicate

 

Funding

Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Developer Funding, and Capital Improvement Plan.

Photo Gallery

Area of the future Metro Market Square park

MMS-Header-Image.png

(PNG, 802KB)

Contacts

Project Manager
Marco Antonio Rivero

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