ULC August Partner Spotlight – Mile High Vista Development
The Urban Land Conservancy celebrates the achievements of its partnerships that create and preserve nonprofit facilities and affordable housing for communities in metro Denver. ULC’s Monthly Partner Spotlight is awarded to partners who demonstrate the value of collaboration, furthering our mission to improve the lives of Denver area residents through our real estate investments and community assets.
Congratulations to our August 2014 Partner Spotlight of the Month:
Mile High Vista Development!
On August 14th, Urban Land Conservancy’s development partners, Del Norte Neighborhood Development Corporation, celebrated the grand opening of their Avondale Apartments at Mile High Vista, prompting our recognition of all the wonderful things happening at this site. Through a number of significant partnerships, the 2-acre property located on West Colfax Avenue and Irving Street, is becoming the perfect example of a mixed-use transit-oriented development. Del Norte, Denver Public Library, and the TOD Fund all play an instrumental role in the catalytic site.
Del Norte’s commitment to affordable housing needs and economic development opportunities in Denver made Mile High Vista a natural fit for the organization. The Avondale Apartment building, designed by architect studio completiva, and constructed by Taylor Kohrs, is seeking LEED Gold certification, includes over 10,000 square feet of commercial space that will accommodate a daycare and potential future restaurant, 100 parking spaces, and 80 affordable apartments for families who earn below 60% Average Median Income (AMI). The site is adjacent to a green grocer Mi Pueblo and within 1.5 miles of 1 elementary school, 4 high schools, 3 colleges, and several after-school programs. Additionally, Avondale has impressive views with the front range to the west, Mile High Stadium and the Denver skyline to the northeast and Pikes Peak to the south.
View of Denver from Avondale |
Mile High Vista is just ¼ mile from two RTD West Rail Line stations, Knox and Decatur-Federal, and on the same block as two high frequency bus stops. This strategic location is one of several successful investments made with the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Fund. The Denver TOD fund is the first of its type in the country and was set up specifically for acquiring land near existing or future light rail stops and high frequency bus routes. The Fund helps Denver ensure that when property values go up around areas of transit-oriented development, real estate investments can be made so lower-income residents are not pushed out of the housing market.
The City and County of Denver purchased an acre of the site for the much desired west Denver library. The Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library will be a 2 story, 27,000 square foot building that will provide much-needed services to the West Denver neighborhoods, which have lacked a nearby library. The architecture firm, Studiotrope, used a public engagement process to design a building that fits community need. It will include amenities such as: a children’s area, 50 computer stations, and a 20-person meeting room all are centered around an outdoor reading area. The library is scheduled to open in January of 2014.
The last phase of this development will include approximately 14,000 square feet of commercial space, planning will commence upon the completion of the construction of the housing and library. The commercial component will complete this catalytic mixed-use development. Thank you to our many partners who are responsible for completing the long-term city vision at Mile High Vista!