Twenty Ninth Street (Boulder, Colorado)

[Image:29th Street Mall Boulder CO.jpg|thumb|right|A strip mall section in the 29th Street retail center]
Twenty Ninth Street is a retail center in Boulder, Colorado that opened on October 13, 2006 on the former site of Crossroads Mall.
The center is separated into three distinct neighborhoods connected by a series of streets, walkways, terraces, plazas and other outdoor community gathering spaces. The center is anchored by Home Depot, Century Theaters, Staples, and Life Time. The center also features several major retailers as well as several restaurants.

Description

This district, unlike the mall that preceded it, consists of a collection of small strip malls and big-box stores, separated by streets that carry automobile traffic. It is not a mall as that term is ordinarily understood. The center is actually considered an open-air "lifestyle center" combining retail, office, entertainment and dining offerings.
The center is somewhat unique in that the sections of the three streets that intersect the property are actually owned by Twenty Ninth Street. These are Canyon Boulevard and Walnut Street and 29th Street. The McDonald's and Burger King, which appear to be part of the center, are actually situated on unaffiliated property.

History

From 1979 to 2002, various Crossroads Mall reconstruction ideas were floated and then rejected. Fast-track construction of a Dillard's store was proposed, but vetoed by Foley's.
In June 2002, the owners of Flatiron Crossing Mall merged with the owners of Crossroads Mall.
On January 23, 2003, the Sears store at Crossroads Mall closed. Plans were submitted to the city to tear down the rest of Crossroads Mall and create a new retail district, dubbed Twenty Ninth Street. The plans were for about 50-60 shops and a movie theatre. The city agreed, and Macerich/Westcor sprang into action.
On January 8, 2004, the closing of Crossroads Mall was announced. The mall closed in February 2004, except for Foley's, which remained in continuous operation.
Crossroads Mall was demolished, and on October 13, 2006, the new Twenty Ninth Street retail district opened.
A science-based theme was used for official opening with Thomas Dolby performing.
Macy's announced that it would close its store in January 2022. It is the last store from the original mall.

Trivia

The center's parking tends to be overrun on Memorial Day because the starting line for the Bolder Boulder 10k race is situated near the property's northeast corner. The queue of waiting runners trails south down 30th toward Arapahoe Ave.