A third block along Loveland’s 4th Street corridor will reopen to motorists and pedestrians tomorrow. To celebrate, the Loveland Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will host a block party in conjunction with the Bluegrass & Brews Festival on Friday, June 5.
The DDA will expand this festival experience to a two-day event for an official grand opening. The upgraded section features improved accessibility, refreshed streetscapes and a more welcoming environment for businesses, residents and visitors alike. As the block reopens, the community is encouraged to come downtown, explore the improvements and support the local businesses along the corridor ahead of the official grand opening celebration.
“Completing the third block of the Heart Improvement Plan is a major milestone for downtown Loveland. This section of 4th Street has often felt disconnected from the greater downtown. With the new design, we are pleased to create stronger connectivity and ensure this block feels like a natural extension to the rest of 4th Street,” says Loveland Downtown Development Director Sean Hawkins. “Every section we wrap up brings new energy, improved accessibility and a stronger foundation for our businesses. We’re excited to welcome the community back to this newly reopened stretch of 4th Street and look forward to celebrating its official grand opening on June 5 as we kick off the Bluegrass & Brews Festival.”
“This milestone represents an important step in bringing the vision for the Heart Improvement Plan to life,” says Public Works Director Will Jones. “We appreciate the community’s patience and support of the local businesses during construction as we work to deliver improvements that will benefit downtown Loveland for years to come.”
Construction to the third block (referred to as Block 5 below and on maps), between Railroad and Garfield avenues, began last May. Crews completed major underground utility upgrades, improving water, stormwater, power, telecommunications and gas systems. Above ground, streetscape improvements leveled sidewalks, enhanced pedestrian crossings and prioritized walkability to better support community events and local businesses.
Frequently asked questions
What are the remaining improvements for Blocks 1, 2 and 5?
While Blocks 1 and 2 have completed the critical updates to utility and streetscape infrastructure, the installation of landscaping, irrigation and catenary lighting will begin in April 2026 during warmer weather conditions. As part of Art in Public Places, the City of Loveland will install a selection of artworks along 4th Street once the project is completed.
Why will the block party take place during the Bluegrass & Brews Festival?
A grand opening event for the block will be held in coordination with the Bluegrass & Brews Festival, taking advantage of ideal weather conditions for an outdoor block party and the opportunity to reach a larger audience during the popular festival. The festival’s attendance reaches 10,000-12,000 people. The celebration will activate the block as it was designed and, in the future, it’s hoped it will be hosted at this location. Parking throughout downtown Loveland and the Foundry Parking Garage is available at lovgov.org/downtownparking. For event details, visit downtownloveland.org/bluegrass-brews-festival.
What work is being completed along Railroad Avenue and 4th Street?
The bore project to install new waterlines beneath the BNSF Railroad has been completed, and crews have finished connecting the water lines on each side of the railway. Crews are expected to make the final connections to Blocks 4 and 5 toward the end of March, which will complete the new main waterline installation across all five blocks. The remaining surface improvements include new asphalt, pavers, lighting, sidewalks and landscaping, pending the BSNF surfacing permit.
What’s happening in Block 3 and 4?
Construction continues with working hours from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Friday with occasional Saturday work as needed. In Block 3, electrical work and extended power conduits have been completed for future light pole locations, along with pouring the concrete bases. Large sandstone art pedestals have been installed at the corners of the block. In Block 4, the roadway, curb and concrete removals are completed and have begun installing the new main waterline starting at the east end of the block.
When will Block 3 and 4 be complete?
Block 3 is anticipated to be completed by late summer 2026 and Block 4 before the holidays.
What’s the timeline for completing each block?
For both Phase 1A and Phase 1B, the remaining blocks are estimated to be completed within eight to 10 months. Extended time may occur due to delays in materials or weather. Phase 1A is identified as utility infrastructure improvements. Once completed, the project enters the second phase, 1B, which focuses on street enhancements.
How to stay in the loop
Additional project details, including construction phasing maps, images and other project updates, can be found at lovgov.org/hipstreets. To stay informed throughout construction, stakeholders can sign up for the Heart Improvement Plan project newsletter at go.lovgov.org/subscribetohip. For questions or to contact the project team, call the public works department at 970.962.2524 or email hipstreets@cityofloveland.org.
