Loveland’s $24.5 Million Fourth Street Rebuild Is Complete

By Daniel Okafor

The City of Loveland has completed the $24.5 million Heart Improvement Plan, known as HIP Streets, across five historic blocks of Fourth Street between North Washington and Garfield Avenues. Construction began in February 2025, following more than 20 years of planning and collaboration.

Nearly two years of construction have now ended. The city says the project modernized downtown infrastructure while preserving the area’s historic character. City officials encourage residents and visitors to return during the holiday season, explore local shops and restaurants and experience the improvements firsthand.

What changed beneath and above Fourth Street?

The visible upgrades include wider sidewalks with decorative brick pavers, improved Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible ramps and curbs, pedestrian-friendly lighting, and new trees and landscaping.

Boulder seating areas join upgraded stormwater drainage, underground power infrastructure, new fire hydrants and fire lines.

The redesign also creates more space for pedestrians and downtown events while maintaining the same number of parking spaces throughout downtown Loveland.

Underground work forms the less photogenic core of the rebuild. Crews replaced aging utility systems, including cast-iron water pipes more than a century old and deteriorating clay stormwater connections. The upgrades are designed to increase capacity and support downtown Loveland for generations to come.

“This project represents what is possible when an entire community works toward a shared vision,” said Shelley Aschenbrenner, civil project engineer with the City of Loveland Public Works Department. “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.”

That balance remains the project’s central claim, and its least measurable result.

What does the rebuild mean for downtown businesses?

Local businesses enter the holiday season with construction behind them. The city says holiday shopping and seasonal celebrations will bring visitors downtown.

“4th 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,” said Sean Hawkins, executive director of the Loveland Downtown District. “We’re excited for what’s ahead for Downtown Loveland.”

Retail will provide the first verdict. The utility work beneath the paving is already in place.

What will Bloom bring in spring 2027?

The street construction is finished. The public art is not.

Ten large-scale interactive sculptures titled Bloom will be installed along Fourth Street in spring 2027, with two works assigned to each of the five renovated blocks.

Artist Jen Lewin created the installation. The works will look like oversized flowers with colorful overhead petals that change colors in response to visitors’ movements and participation.

The City of Loveland’s Art in Public Places program commissioned the installation. City officials plan an official ribbon-cutting ceremony after the sculptures are installed.

Who paid for HIP Streets?

The City of Loveland and the Downtown Development Authority funded the $24.5 million HIP Streets project jointly.

The City of Loveland contributed $12 million through City of Loveland Utility Enterprise Funds, while the Downtown Development Authority financed the remaining $12.5 million through Certificates of Participation.

According to the city, the project drew no money from the General Fund.

What happens next?

For businesses, the immediate measure is the footfall produced by wider sidewalks, new seating and event space during the coming holiday season in downtown Loveland.

Fourth Street can now be judged by its daily use. Jen Lewin’s Bloom is the next fixed point, with installation planned for spring 2027 and a ribbon-cutting to follow.

Project details, art installation updates and ribbon-cutting plans are available at lovgov.org/HIPStreets.