Fillmore Plaza

«People are walking with intentions to shop instead of just relaxing and hanging out.» Ken Melies, co-​owner of Eurpotics, 07/​10/​2014 Denver Post.
What’s wrong with relaxing and hanging out? Oh yeah, we got bills to pay, dolla dolla bills y’all.
Fillmore Plaza used to be a pedestrian only zone, and the only car free public space in Cherry Creek North (CCN), between 1987 and 2011. After a face lift (apropos for CCN, no?) Fillmore Street is once again open to vehicular traffic and surprisingly to a lot more pedestrian activity, including some «relaxing and hanging out.»
By the late 2000s the 100 block of Fillmore Street was underutilized and frankly unwelcoming — there really wasn’t a reason to go there. Sure there was the occasional movie night on the plaza and a few shops were still open, but overall it was an uninviting public space. There was some grassy area primarily used by kids and dogs and a couple of sputtering fountains which worked occasionally.
Fast forward to today and Fillmore Street has been transformed. The street itself is paved in handsome brick, there are trees and extensive plantings, colorful lighting, and plenty of seating areas. The street grid has been reinforced and the connection between CCN and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center (south of First Avenue) functions better not only for cars, but surprisingly for pedestrians as well.
And of course there is plenty of shopping. The list of shops includes primarily national and some international brand names which can afford the higher rents that CCN can command. Currently the 100 block of Fillmore includes: Europtics (my favorite sunglass store), Kate Spade, Loro Piana, Jonathan Adler, Hermes, Le Creuset, Eileen Fisher, Lululemon, prAna, Calypso, and Exofficio. Additionally, the patio of Harman’s Eat & Drink faces Fillmore and is a great place to soak in the sun while enjoying a cocktail, or three, while taking in the CCN scene.
Urban forms evolve over time. Cities are dynamic, their plazas and streets speak and incorporate the values reflected by their neighborhoods. The best spaces aspire to find equilibrium between the commercial realm, the market or the agora, and the needs and access afforded to the public, ideally not just for a small segment of a privileged few, but for the whole city they serve.
What works in one era may not necessarily be suitable to the next and the most successful places in my opinion incorporate the needs of both private and public domains. I think the new Fillmore «Plaza» Street reflects the movement that values the street and street life in general, but it tilts just a bit to the interests of the few and in general to the private sphere. Overall, I think the space is an improvement from where it was, but as always we can do better to incorporate a more vibrant mix of people, shops and activities in our public places.