New Stadium Plans Spark Big Talk About Traffic, Parking and Neighborhood Feelings

The Denver Broncos have shared a fresh set of ideas for building a new stadium and mixed‑use area on the old Burnham Yard. The plan, first shown to a city advisory board in March, sketches out how the site will grow from a 150‑acre patch into a lively district with a stadium, shops, hotels and parks. The design also calls for a big stretch of new road—Eighth Avenue—to keep traffic moving in and out. During the board meeting, some people saw the road changes as a smart way to ease crowds on game days. Others worried that widening Eighth Avenue could bring more cars, noise and pressure to the nearby La Alma Lincoln Park community. The neighborhood has a history of being pushed out when big projects moved in, so many residents feel uneasy about new development right next to them. The Broncos’ plan says the stadium will occupy only a third of the land, leaving space for mixed‑use buildings and open parks. One part will be a “tailgate park” south of the stadium, and another section called an Entertainment Zone could host concerts, restaurants and a hotel. A North Zone will focus on homes that fit in with La Alma’s vibe.A key part of the project is a light‑rail station at 10th and Osage, which the Broncos hope will bring people in by train. The plan also projects 5, 000 to 7, 500 parking spots on game days, spread across underground, above‑ground and surface lots. Still, many local voices say the parking plan is not detailed enough to handle all the traffic that will come from both Eighth and Sixth Avenues. Funding for roads and sidewalks is expected to come from a mix of city, state money and a possible tax‑increment financing district. The stadium itself will be paid for by the Walton‑Penner Group, but building the surrounding streets and public spaces will need public money. The project is broken into three phases: first, clean up the land and build roads; second, add parking and start building the Entertainment Zone; third, finish out the rest of the district with more homes and shops. The Broncos say they want to open the stadium in 2031, but the rest of the work will depend on market conditions and community approval. City officials say they want to keep Denver growing but also protect neighborhoods from being priced out or overburdened. They hope the new district will bring jobs and fresh life to the area, but they also acknowledge that if housing costs rise too high, people might leave. The debate continues as the city and the Broncos try to balance progress with fairness.