Breckenridge plans to implement an electronic delivery program similar to the one Vail implemented in October 2022.
Photo courtesy of Town of Vail
The recent sale of the Parkway Shopping Center in Breckenridge has prompted the town to relocate its temporary commercial food and beverage delivery center ahead of plans to begin construction.
With the approval of the Town Council on July 9, the center will relocate from the Tiger Dredge Lot in the center of town to a vacant lot at the south end of the Parkway Shopping Center that once housed the U.S. Postal Service Annex.
Staff told council at the July 9 meeting that the acquisition of Parkway Shopping Center by The Kroger Co. and Denver-based Kentro Group has opened up one of the parcels in the sale for the town to use. Staff said the site would have less of an impact on downtown than the previously selected Tiger Dredge Lot in the center of town because truck deliveries would be made further up Main Street. Additionally, the site would have less impact on employee parking.
The Town Council approved a temporary spring structure to house a center for a two-year food and beverage delivery pilot program at the then-downtown location during its March 26 meeting. The center aims to reduce the number of delivery trucks making stops throughout downtown. Items will be dropped off at the delivery center and then delivered by a small number of electric vehicles. Staff previously said it would be open from 5 a.m. to about 10 a.m.
The rendering above shows one possible traffic circulation for the center in the post office parking lot. The rendering shows trucks exiting directly from the east side of the parking lot and eventually exiting onto North French Street, a level road on the south side of the parking lot. Breckenridge/Graphics courtesy
Once the town fully implements the program after the pilot, it is estimated that it will eliminate about 150 truck trips per week from downtown Breckenridge.
The 3,000-square-foot center was originally scheduled to begin construction in July and be up and running by August, but staff said most aspects of the project are on track, but the timeline may be slightly delayed due to the new location. Additionally, the pilot program was originally scheduled to cost $2 million, but the Department of Finance told council an additional $1.75 million will be added to the cost.
The rendering above shows one of the Center’s potential traffic circulation options in the Post Office parking lot. The rendering shows trucks exiting directly from the east side of the parking lot and eventually exiting onto North French Street. Breckenridge/Supplied Graphic
The parcel where the center would be built is at the corner of North Park Avenue and North French Street, and three renderings showing different options for traffic circulation were presented to the City Council. One option would direct trucks from an exit on the west side of the site directly onto North Park Avenue. The other two options would direct trucks to an exit on the east side of the site, turn right down the alley in front of AMR Sports, then make another right onto North French Street.
The rendering above shows one possible traffic circulation for the center in the post office parking lot. The rendering shows trucks exiting directly from the west side of the parking lot onto North Park Avenue, a perpendicular roadway in the rendering to the left of the parking lot. Breckenridge/Graphics courtesy
Mayor Kelly Owens wondered whether it would be more likely for the town to direct trucks to the center via North Main Street and have them turn right into the parking lot, or to continue on North Park Avenue and turn left.
Public Works Director James Phelps responded that trucks will likely be diverted onto North Main Street, but “we haven’t discussed the details yet.”
Owens also asked what type of food and beverage businesses the town will work with for the pilot program.
Planning Administrator Chris Click said the town is currently negotiating with a “major liner” vendor, but hopes to start the program with smaller vendors first and then bring in larger vendors.
The planning commission unanimously approved the relocation at its meeting July 2. All council members present at the July 9 meeting voted in favor of the relocation, except for Council Member Carol Shade, who was absent.
