One block of Tejon Street closing downtown through December, starting Tuesday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — Starting Tuesday, September 2, one block of Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs will close through December.

The street will be closed to all cars from Pikes Peak Avenue to East Kiowa Street.

City of Colorado Springs

The closure is part of the Tejon Street Revitalization Project as it moves into the second and final block of construction, including improvements to the sidewalks, patios, and streets.

Visitors will still be able to get access to businesses along the construction area, but street parking will not be available until further notice.

Businesses on the affected block will receive vouchers for two hours free parking at three nearby City parking garages.

News5's Piper Vaughn spoke with some residents in Colorado Springs who thinks the money should be spent elsewhere, "like fixing the potholes all over the city. I mean, how many people over here are fixing their suspensions? They're shocked because we're hitting potholes left and right. So I definitely think the city could be using their money differently,” said Ryann Quintana.

Quintana also says she is worried about traffic.

"I think while that expansion is happening, traffic down here is going to suck. It's not going to be the greatest, it's not going to be fun,” she said.

The goal of the project is to:

• expand outdoor dining areas
• increase public safety
• improve pedestrian accessibility
• increase business activity
  

Since Tejon Street will remain closed to cars from Pikes Peak Avenue to Kiowa Street, the city will move the Fallen Firefighters event, Veterans Day Parade, and the Festival of Lights parade to "Block 2."

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