Should all of the 16th Street Mall’s granite pavers be retained in renovation?

The Denver Post Editorial Board has it right — the 16th Street Mall should be renovated as planned, including reconfiguration of the bus lanes replacing the central median, and replacement of the granite pavers with patterned concrete attempting to match the colors in original design.

As a former member of the Regional Transportation District Board of Directors and co-chair of the 16th Street Plan Steering Committee, I have watched and participated in many of the decisions made along the way. Economic, functional and historic considerations have been adequately considered. Thankfully, funding has been developed by civic partners. This plan will provide the best outcome for all.

Bill James, Denver

As a 16th Street Mall dweller, I suggest two revisions to the new plan: 1) Keep the pavers on the sidewalk and use colored concrete in the bus lanes to clearly identify them and stop the breakup of the pavers. 2) Forget putting in saplings. I think every store owner would gladly volunteer to pay for 3.5-inch to 4.5-inch, more mature trees in front of their shop. I know I would. Why put in trees whose canopy will finally be significant when it’s time to change the Mall design again?

Brooke Banbury, Denver

When I.M. Pei designed the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, detractors called the structure his “folly.” Now many consider its design a rival to the Eiffel Tower.

The Denver Post considers the 16th Street Mall pavers designed by I.M. Pei a “grotesque extravagance.” The only grotesqueness is the inability of The Post to understand the beautiful design and its uniqueness. The Post should be fostering the preservation of these pavers and the priceless design work of Pei.

How many of us have visited Europe to see its architectural wonders as well as marveled at the mosaics of the Greeks, Romans and Christian designers? For the same reasons we value those designs, we should also value the 20th century paver design of the 16th Street Mall. It is important for Denver to keep its history, not cover it up with blacktop and look like any other mall in the country.

Andre Ransom, Denver