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Project Name
Limestone Mixed-use Town Center
Project Location
Broomfield, Colo.
Purpose of Project
The purpose of the Limestone project is to prepare a master plan for a mixed-use town center
nestled in the future I-25/Sub- area Development Zone. The City of Broomfield I-25 Sub-area
Master Plan identifies transit- oriented development, regional commercial, employment, mixed-use
commercial and residential uses located within the general vicinity. Limestone is a mixed-use
development that incorporates retail shops, restaurants, offices, multi-family residences, hotel
rooms, and a landscaped central park on a 154-acre site. The site is conveniently located 20
minutes from downtown Denver, 20 minutes from Boulder, and 20 minutes from Denver
International Airport.
Role of Landscape Architect
The entrant was contracted to provide a conceptual master plan and planned unit development
documents (PUD) for Limestone. Other collaborators included a local architect, engineers, land
owner and the client, a private development company. The entrant has lead all aspects of the
planning effort. The conceptual sketch pack has been completed. The planning team is currently
involved with the development of the PUD documents.
Special Factors and Project Significance
Adjacent Land Uses
The City of Broomfield I-25 Sub-area Master Plan identifies several future land uses surrounding
the site including employment, mixed-use commercial, regional commercial, transit-oriented
development, open lands and residential. Compatibility to surrounding land uses is a key design
objective at Limestone, thus, more intense retail and commercial land uses are suggested along
the south and east parcels while north and west parcels are primarily planned for residential use.
Future road improvements surrounding the site influence the location of access points, land-use
distribution and visibility factors in the planning effort.
Planning Concept
This mixed-use town center offers commercial, office and live/work uses that will provide
services to employees and local residents while also drawing visitors from the regional
population. The uses add diversity and activity at different times of the day. By combining a
dynamic mix of homes, shops, offices, entertainment and hospitality, Limestone promotes the
best aspects of small town downtowns. The plan provides a pedestrian-oriented shopping, living
and working environment organized around a traditional village green. The intimacy and scale
created by the pedestrian environment will establish the project’s identity and character.
A combination of design strategies were used to create opportunities for a diverse mix of retail
tenants while maintaining a walkable main street character. Parking is located in proximity to
each major use, and buildings are organized to contribute to an animated street environment.
Public transit will be incorporated into the project to reduce the reliance on the automobile for
both residents and visitors. Wide, landscaped medians, on-street parking, generous sidewalks and
a rich landscape treatment will contribute to the pedestrian-friendly environment.
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Architecture
Buildings at Limestone will be differentiated from one another to contribute to the pedestrian
scale and provide visibility and orientation within the project. The character of the project will be
comfortable to the user, in part because it will feel familiar. This familiarity will be the result of
forms, materials, and colors appropriate and authentic to the Colorado setting. Architectural
design standards will ensure quality of the built environment.
Residential Uses
A variety of housing types and densities are accommodated by the plan. Medium- and high-density
apartments and townhouses will form a human-scaled fabric to the village, which will
contrast with the open character of the central park and retail parking lots. Average housing
density is anticipated to be 25 dwelling units/acre. The residential component of the plan ensures
greater success of the town center, providing a critical mass that can help support the retail and
office uses and put people in the parks and open spaces to recreate and congregate.
Residential sites are directly linked by a network of streets and pedestrian paths, allowing
residents the ability to reach retail shops, employment and open space areas by foot or bicycle.
Street trees and site furnishings will help define the public realm and make walking interesting
and enjoyable through the residential quarters of the town center.
Employment and Commercial Uses
Shopping and employment facilities are located within walking distance from housing and open -
space facilities. Retail and employment sites are located along major vehicular routes to the south
and east with good access and visibility. Office and hospitality uses are strategically located to
take advantage of visibility and access. To contrast with major retail anchor and office sites, a
variety of restaurants, shops and plazas along the central parkway and the south edge of the park
will enrich the pedestrian life on the streets and provide street-front retail.
The variety and scale of opportunities for employment and shopping uses provided in the plan
will promote economic success and ensure activity in the town center throughout the day. This is
a critical component to the livelihood and vitality of any community.
Parks and Open Space
At the heart of Limestone, a 16-acre park provides a setting for active and passive outdoor uses
while creating a sense of place and community identity. Surrounded by retail, restaurants,
housing and employment uses, the park will benefit residents, tenants, and patrons with a variety
of active and passive features. The park will include open areas for recreational activities as well
as structured elements such as seating and lounging areas for evening activities. The plan allows
for potential restaurant locations within the park setting along the south edge, adding vitality to
the park and main street environment. The plan proposes to re-use an historic barn on-site within
the park as a community center.
On a regional scale, the park is linked to the city-wide park and trail system as planned in the City
of Broomfield I-25 Sub-area Master Plan. Significant landscape and open space buffers along the
north property line and a generously sized and planted parkway that runs north and south will
connect to the surrounding regional open space and trail system.
