Loveland’s HIP Streets project complete in time for holidays

LOVELAND — Construction on Fourth Street in downtown Loveland has been completed in time for the holiday season, bringing more than 20 years of planning and collaboration across the finish line.

The City of Loveland and Downtown Development Authority partnered to begin the $24.5 million Heart Improvement Plan, or HIP Streets, in February 2025. Work included updates to critical utility and stormwater infrastructure as well as street, sidewalk and landscaping upgrades for the five main blocks of Fourth Street between North Washington and Garfield avenues.

The project was funded with $12 million in city utility enterprise funds and $12.5 million from Certificates of Participation paid by the DDA. No general-fund dollars were used.

Much of the old system beneath Fourth Street was aged, undersized or deteriorating. Stormwater connections were constructed from clay pipes in some places, and cast-iron water pipes were more than a century old. Renovations involved nearly every city department working with businesses, contractors and residents to deliver improvements designed to expand capacity.

“This project represents what is possible when an entire community works toward a shared vision,” Shelley Aschenbrenner, civil project engineer with the city’s Public Works Department, said in a prepared statement. “In a corridor lined with historic buildings, every design decision had to solve multiple engineering challenges while preserving the character that makes downtown Loveland special. This project modernizes our infrastructure, improves the experience for everyone who uses the corridor, and helps ensure the heart of our community remains vibrant for the next century.”

Upgrades include:  

• Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible curbs, ramps and widened sidewalks with decorative brick pavers. 
• New stormwater drains, gutters, water pipes and underground power with expanded capacity. 
• More space for pedestrians and on-street events while maintaining the same number of parking spaces throughout downtown.
• Boulder seating and pedestrian-friendly lighting.
• Additional fire hydrants and fire lines. 
• New trees and landscaping.
• Contemporary sculptures and other art-related features.

“Fourth Street has always been at the heart of our downtown, and these improvements create even more opportunities for people to shop, dine, connect and experience everything our local businesses and community have to offer,” Sean Hawkins, executive director of the Loveland Downtown District, said in a news release. “We’re excited for what’s ahead for downtown Loveland.”

Ten large-scale sculptures will be placed two per block this spring. Titled “Bloom” by artist Jen Lewin, each sculpture features clusters of colorful overhead petals that change colors based on user movement and participation. The public art installation was commissioned by the city’s Art in Public Places program. Once the art pieces are installed, the city will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the project.

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