Located between Lincoln and Cleveland Avenues, Block 3 in downtown Loveland will reopen to the public for vehicle traffic and parking on Friday, July 24. The block is home to some of the City’s beloved establishments, including the historic Rialto Theater. 

This is the fourth of five blocks to be completed as part of the Heart Improvement Plan’s  4^th Street Revitalization Project. Businesses along Fourth Street are looking forward to the street reopening at the peak of the summer season for the community to enjoy the newly designed roadway, patio spaces, paver sidewalks, and other new features. The official grand opening and block party will be held in conjunction with the annual Pastel’s On 5^th Street event on Saturday, September 12.  

“Completing the central block of the Heart Improvement Plan is a major milestone for the project. This section of Fourth Street is truly the heart of our downtown,” said Loveland Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Sean Hawkins. “Each section we complete brings new energy, improved accessibility, and a stronger foundation for our businesses while building on the rich history that makes downtown special.” 

The historic clock on Fourth Street, a longtime feature of this block, is currently undergoing professional restoration funded by the DDA. The clock will be reinstalled near its original location in the coming months. The official downtown Loveland Christmas tree will also return to Fourth Street this holiday season, once again standing in front of the Rialto Theater.  

City of Loveland Public Works Director Will Jones said, “On behalf of all the departments involved in this effort, the City is proud to have played an important role in revitalizing this historic block of Fourth Street. From the infrastructure beneath the surface to the enhancements above it, these upgrades are built to serve our community for the next century. Our crews have worked tirelessly to bring these plans to life. Now the fun part begins—everyone can experience and enjoy a vibrant downtown.” 

Construction on Block 3 began in December 2025. 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 on the initial blocks. 

What are the remaining improvements for Blocks 1, 2, 3 and 5? 

As part of Art in Public Places, the City of Loveland will install a selection of artworks along Fourth Street once the project is completed. A newly selected art feature spanning all five blocks will be installed in the first quarter of 2027. Sculptures will gradually return to Fourth Street, with artwork displayed on the new sandstone art pedestals at the corner of each block. This includes nine pieces that will be featured as part of the popular The Art Advocacy Project (TAAP) 3-D rotating sculpture program. The Rialto Theater will also add a new marquee sign directly on Fourth Street to feature upcoming shows and concerts, and reinstall the bronze sculpture known as “Persistence of Vision” by Patrick Kennedy, which is widely recognized as part of the theater.   

Why will the block party take place during the Pastels on 5^th Street event? 

For every block that’s opened, a block party has been paired with an existing Downtown Loveland event to activate the block’s true intention by creating a welcoming environment for local businesses and pedestrians. The opening of Blocks 1 and 2 occurred as part of the Festival of Lights, the opening of Block 5 was part of the Bluegrass Festival, and this event will provide another incredible experience for Pastels On 5^th Street attendees, with the goal of drawing support for the Alternatives to Violence mission. 

What’s happening in Block 4?  

Construction continues with working hours from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. As part of the project, Block 4 (Cleveland Avenue to north Railroad Avenue) underground infrastructure has been completed including water and storm waterlines, electric and fiber. Large sandstone art pedestals have been installed at the corners of the block, and initial roadway paving has begun. The crews will shift to sidewalk removals and replacements in the coming weeks. Due to the density of active doorways and businesses on this block, sidewalk reconstruction will be completed in smaller sections, similar to Block 3. Businesses will remain open during construction. 

How will this be completed? 

• Crews will provide access to each business doorway during their business hours. 

• As crews work in front of each building, a temporary detour walkway ("shoo-fly") will guide pedestrians safely around the work zone, providing access to storefronts and reconnecting with the sidewalk. Dynamic phasing will allow removals, concrete pours, cures and ultimately paver installations. 

• Pedestrians will not fully shift to the roadway (Phase 1B) as with previous blocks that have been completed; however, small ramps or temporary sidewalk conditions will guide pedestrians to each doorway. 

When will the final block be complete? 

Block 4 from Cleveland Avenue to north Railroad Avenue is anticipated to be completed by late fall 2026.The intersections around the railroad tracks are anticipated to be complete before the holidays.  

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. 

About 

In 2009, the City of Loveland Public Works Department developed the conceptual plan for the Heart Improvement Plan (HIP Streets), which explored opportunities to enhance the streets within the historic core of Downtown Loveland. In 2017, after gathering public input, the plan was modernized to include a thoughtful and cost-effective approach to revitalizing 19 core blocks of Downtown Loveland. 

The first phase of the Heart Improvement Plan – the Fourth Street Revitalization – addresses the five blocks along Fourth Street that extend from north Garfield Avenue to north Washington Avenue. The current effort is focused on improving Fourth Street through streetscape enhancements, while the City of Loveland Utilities Department works on upgrades to the infrastructure beneath the road. As this project is a significant effort, the City of Loveland and the Loveland Downtown Development Authority (DDA) have come together to finally bring this portion of the Heart Improvement Plan to fruition. 

Project Funding 

The Loveland City Council unanimously approved the Certificates of Participation (COPs) financing method providing funding for the Heart Improvement Plan’s Fourth Street Revitalization project on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. The project will be funded using a combination of Utility Enterprise Funds and COPs. Utility Enterprise Funds (Stormwater, Water, and Power) will provide $12 million of the project cost, with the remaining $12.5 million funded by COPs. The total estimated program cost for the project is $24.5 million. No General Fund dollars will be utilized or allocated to construct this project.