Mariposa Redevelopment (Denver Housing Authority)

Integration of stormwater management strategies within parks and open spaces enriches the character of affordable housing development.

The Mariposa Redevelopment Master Plan revitalizes a four-block area at 10th and Osage, near Auraria Campus. Wenk Associates developed an open space and parks system integrating sustainable principles and stormwater management strategies to achieve the Denver Housing Authority’s lofty green agenda. Green spaces range in scale from small courtyards developed around building units to shared park spaces with playgrounds, picnic areas, and a community garden. Streetscape typologies complement the surrounding uses for commercial, residential, and mixed-use development and incorporate bike lanes. Wenk Associates is currently completing phases I and II.

The plan called for narrowing Mariposa Street, providing the community with a safe street and creating neighborhood character. Mariposa Street has a planted center median, on-street parking, a shared bicycle and vehicle lane, and stormwater treatment and detention. The comprehensive stormwater management system will improve water quality and manage storm flows for the project area and the drainage sub-basin. The plan utilizes existing street right-of-ways (ROW) to treat and manage a large majority of storm runoff, allowing for greater development densities. The plan utilizes all available space, creating a denser, pedestrian-friendly, and lively community that can be a national model for TOD Redevelopment.

Project Team:
Mithun Lead Consultant, Master Plan
Wenk Associates – Landscape Architects