Plans | Adopted Plans

Mississippi Avenue Strategic Plan

Mississippi Avenue links the foothills to Denver through Lakewood. This road functions as an east- west major collector linking Sheridan Boulevard to Wadsworth Boulevard within Lakewood. Land uses represented along the corridor include a mixture of residential and commercial uses interspersed with larger lots on the north side of Mississippi. Mississippi Avenue was originally known as Morrison Road and served as an integral transportation route linking rural residents of Jefferson County with the City of Denver. Historic landmark properties along Mississippi include Harts Corner, Bancroft Fire Station and the Bancroft School. These landmark properties still exist today and are an important reminder of the past.

The majority of commercial activity is focused at the intersections of Pierce Street and Mississippi Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard and Mississippi Avenue. These properties are slowly changing from residential uses to service businesses that utilize existing homes as office space. Given the mixture of uses along the corridor, planning now for future development will enable Mississippi to develop in a manner that is consistent with the present and future needs of both residents and businesses currently established along the corridor.

A community based planning process was utilized to identify key issues and formulate goals and action steps to implement the plan. Main issues included upgrading the appearance of residential and business properties along the corridor and preserving the rural character of Mississippi Avenue.

Plan Summary

Mississippi Avenue is an essential and convenient east/west travel corridor that links residential neighborhoods with major transportation corridors such as Sheridan Boulevard, Wadsworth Boulevard and Kipling Parkway. Mississippi Avenue should be attractive, functional, and safe for pedestrians, bikes and automobiles.

Key Action Steps
Members of the Action Committee and Technical Analysis Team identified many strategies to achieve the Vision for the area. Key Action Steps include:

	Improve Mississippi to include a center left-turn lane and provide curb, gutter, and sidewalks on both sides of the street from Pierce to Sheridan.
	Enhance bus stop amenities.
	Assist landowners along the corridor with existing non-conforming uses and help identify solutions.
	Support redevelopment of split zoned parcels fronting Mississippi Avenue.
	Support trade and technical uses for 1C zoned areas.
	Development of design strategies to address architecture and site layout.
	Work with property owners and business owners to proactively address building and property maintenance, and enforce codes in a proactive manner.
	Increase communication with property owners and business owners regarding City Ordinances and Programs.
	Schedule clean up days along Mississippi Avenue.
	Encourage membership in adjacent merchants' association e.g., Alameda Gateway Community Association and the Jewell/Wadsworth Area Business Association.