DENVER -- After 25 years, the 16th Street Mall is in need of a makeover.

On Tuesday night, the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Regional Transportation District and the city of Denver held a public hearing to discuss the future of the 16th Street Mall.

"The mall is a very essential element, not just to downtown, but to the whole Rocky Mountain region," said John Desmond, vice president of the Downtown Denver Partnership.

Desmond said the renovation is more than just physical changes.

"If you just think of the mall as the granite and the trees and the buses, then I think we are going to fall short," said Desmond. "You have to think of the adjacent uses. How does the mall relate to the streets that intersect the mall and how does the mall relate at the end to Civic Center and Union Station and the Central Platte Valley?"

The Partnership said it is looking at three options:

removing the median

adding public vehicular traffic

keeping 16th street a pedestrian mall

But the Partnership said it does not have a predetermined course of what will be done and that is why they are asking for input from those who use and live on or near the mall.

"I think it is great, I love it," said Kate Hillberg, who has worked on the mall for more than 20 years. "Generally I think pedestrian malls don't work, but for some reason I think this one does. And I think it is because of the shuttle and I think if you add cars you will deter people from getting out and walking around."

Almost everyone 7NEWS spoke with on 16th Street said they would like to see the mall remain a pedestrian mall and see additional entertainment.

"Maybe during the summer have more festivities in the middle of the mall," said Melissa Sergent, who works downtown.

Andrew McClure who attended Tuesday's meeting wants to make sure that no matter what changes are made, the city continues to remain sensitive to the homeless youths on the mall.

"That they are definitely considered and that we don't push them away," said McClure, who works with Urban Peak. "Or make it a point to make them unwelcome in any of the changes that may happen."

An advisory panel of national experts from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) has been called upon to examine the 16th Street Mall. The panel will analyze all the public comments and then provide recommendations and alternatives for the mall renovation.

The ULI should have their report finished in May or June of 2008, but don’t expect to see changes along 16th Street Mall for at least another year, if not two, according to the Partnership.

Anyone who would like to submit a suggestion can do so at Downtown Denver Partnership's Web site. Clicking on the 16th Street Mall Plan link.