Midtown Centennial: Shaping the Future of Centennial's Core

The Centennial NEXT comprehensive plan identifies Midtown Centennial as a dynamic, mixed-use environment fostering meaningful activity and revitalization. Strategically located along the I-25 corridor, Midtown Centennial is uniquely positioned to become a central hub of activity within the City of Centennial, blending vibrant residential, commercial and transit-oriented spaces. This transformation will be guided by thoughtful planning, community input, and strategic investment to create a connected, sustainable and resilient destination within Centennial.

What is Midtown Centennial?

Midtown Centennial encompasses the area between S. Yosemite St. and S. Havana St. (west to east) and E. Arapahoe Rd. and E. County Line Rd. (north to south). This area is centered around major regional assets, including the Dry Creek Light Rail Station, I-25, Centennial Airport and an emerging entertainment district.

This corridor has historically been dominated by mid-20th-century office parks and commercial spaces. However, evolving market trends and shifting work environments have opened the door to creating a walkable, mixed-use district that serves as a gathering place for residents, workers and visitors alike.

The Vision for Midtown Centennial

Guided by Centennial NEXT and the City’s Strategic Plan, Midtown Centennial’s vision will be rooted in creating a vibrant district with more diverse housing, business and recreational opportunities.

Placemaking and Design Goals

1. Authentic Identity: Develop a distinct district that serves as a gathering place for Centennial residents and visitors.
2. Connectivity: Enhance access and connectivity to Midtown through pedestrian-friendly streets and parks, and by maximizing proximity to the Dry Creek Light Rail Station.
3. Resilience: Promote sustainable and adaptable urban design practices that support economic vitality and environmental sustainability.
4. Vibrancy: Create a dynamic mixed-use area with spaces for living, working, shopping and recreation.

Midtown Centennial will integrate public and private spaces, transforming dated commercial areas into a lively urban center. With walkable environments, multimodal transportation options. and vibrant community spaces. Midtown will reflect Centennial’s innovative spirit and commitment to high-quality design.

Why Now? The Opportunity for Transformation

Midtown’s redevelopment is driven by significant shifts in market trends, particularly in office space demand.

Key Market Changes

• Hybrid Work: Businesses and workers prefer vibrant, mixed-use environments over isolated office parks.
• "Flight to Quality": Employers seek office locations with nearby amenities such as dining, retail, transit and recreation.
• Outdated Infrastructure: Many commercial buildings in the area are aging, creating opportunities for adaptive reuse or redevelopment.

These trends provide a unique opportunity to create a high-density, mixed-use district that can adapt to future needs while enhancing Centennial’s economic and social vitality.

Ongoing Work

The City has partnered with leading firms like Civitas and Economic and Planning Systems (EPS) to help shape the framework for Midtown Centennial’s future:

• Urban Design and Placemaking: Civitas is helping design the public realm, focusing on parks, open spaces and pedestrian infrastructure.
• Economic Analysis: EPS is conducting fiscal studies to assess the impact of transitioning land uses and guide future development opportunities.

Community Engagement: Your Voice Matters

Midtown Centennial’s success depends on community input! We invite you to be part of this exciting transformation. Here’s how you can engage:

• Share Your Ideas Online: Use our interactive mapping tool to highlight opportunities, ask questions and provide feedback on specific locations within Midtown. For instance, you can suggest improvements around the Dry Creek Light Rail Station.
• Subscribe to Updates: Get the latest news through the Centennial Connections newsletter.

Your participation will help shape Midtown into a vibrant, inclusive space that serves the entire Centennial community. Whether you’re a resident, business owner, or visitor, your input is vital to crafting a shared vision for the future.

Next Steps

The City is committed to ongoing planning and collaboration to realize the vision for Midtown Centennial. Future steps include developing a sub-area planning document for Midtown in 2025.