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16th Street Mall Buzzing During 'Meet In The Street'

DENVER (CBS4) - People often visit the 16th Street Mall on the weekend, and on Sunday they had more reason to with all kinds of free activities to enjoy.

The mall is almost always buzzing with activity, but on Sunday a familiar sight and sound was missing -- the free mall ride shuttles.

"Those are still operating today, but operating on 15th and 17th streets," Susan Rogers Kark with the Downtown Denver Partnership said.

The Downtown Denver Partnership rerouted the buses, clearing the way so people can "Meet in the Street." The entire mall was closed to vehicle traffic.

"Meet in the Street is a movement that's happening throughout the world, actually. It began in Colombia. It's a concept of having days when the streets don't have any vehicular travel and people just get out as a community and get together and have lots of fun activities in the street," Kark said.

Locals and tourists from all around took part, enjoying free face paintings to tango lessons, even showcasing a love for art on city pianos, like Vera Greuter, who's visiting from Switzerland.

"It is nice to be able to paint a piano," Greuter said.

"There are a lot of different kinds of people and there's a really great sense of community," said Coloradan Kate Dyer.

Though there's rarely a dull moment on the popular outdoor mall, city officials want to ensure it's always a buzz.

"It really is part of our intent throughout downtown to make sure that the urban experience is a fun one," Kark said.

Sunday's Meet in the Street event was this summer's second and final for the year. The Downtown Denver Partnership hopes to schedule more next summer.

LINK: Downtown Denver Partnership

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