Meeting June 19, with Tracy Huggins 6:30 pm Molly Blank Conference Center at National Jewish Hospital

From Jeanne Robb, Etalk In 10

“At this Tuesday’s Council’s Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (LUTI), Tracy Huggins from Denver Urban Renewal Authority briefed members on the Urban Redevelopment Plan for 9th and Colorado.   On June 19, the Bellevue-Hale Neighborhood, Councilwoman Susman, and I will host a meeting with Tracy Huggins at 6:30 pm in the Molly Blank Conference Center at National Jewish Hospital.”

As you may already know, the University of Colorado and the Lionstone Group are going to close on the residential section east of Bellaire Street by June 14.  The parking garage will be retained and 325 apartments will be built.  Some demolition west of the residential section will occur so that Bellaire Street can connect through the site.

Lionstone and CU are no longer under contract for purchase/sale of the rest of the site.  While discussions continue, CU is also looking at options with other developers.

The Urban Redevelopment Plan will allow DURA to collect property tax on the residential section that will help with redevelopment of the rest of the site.  Putting the residential development in place will only increase interest from developers for the rest of the site.  Working with Councilwoman Susman and Planning Director Rocky Piro, we hope to see redevelopment that matches both goals and spirit of the General Development Plan.

Key dates for Council’s action on the Urban Redevelopment Plan are

• June 17 – Council votes on resolution setting a public hearing
• June 19 – Planning Board votes on whether the Urban Redevelopment Plan aligns with Denver’s

Comp Plan

• June 20 – Council’s LUTI Committee decides whether to move the Urban Redevelopment Plan   and Cooperation Agreement to Council floor.
• June 22 – Public Hearing at City Council

While this schedule seems quick, we could not move forward until CU and Lionstone had concluded their negotiations, and we must set up the Urban Renewal Area before property revaluation in August so that the tax basis is figured on CU’s tax-exempt basis.

• June 5 2013 CU sets closing date with Lionstone for part of old hospital site
• June 5 2013 CU opening door for new developers at old Denver hospital complex
• June 4 2013 Tax-increment financing proposal pushed for 9th and Colorado property