ULC Urban Update January- February 2016
ULC Urban Update
ULC’s Urban Update is a bi-monthly newsletter that will highlight stories you may have missed! It is only March, and already there have been many opportunities to highlight our place based real estate investment projects, as well as the great work that our partners are doing in our communities. 2016 is promising to be another exciting year!
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The Future’s Looking Bright…
ULC Finances Social Enterprise Foundry through Calvert Foundation’s Ours to Own Initiative
In January, ULC announced the financing of Sun Valley’s Social Enterprise Foundry with the Calvert Facility Fund. After completing $600,000 in capital improvements, financing the Foundry with Calvert allows ULC to continue providing affordable warehouse space for the five nonprofits that work in this facility. The 45,000 square foot Social Enterprise Foundry houses the following nonprofits:
This is ULC’s third investment made with the Calvert Foundation’s Facility Fund, fully expending this unique $10M financing tool created through the Ours to Own Initiative. To learn how you can invest in your own community and be part of Ours to Own Metro Denver.
ULC’s January Partner Spotlight: The Colorado Health Foundation
Each month, ULC recognizes one of its partner for their dedication to furthering our mission of improving the lives of Denver area residents through real estate investments and community assets. In January, the Colorado Health Foundation took center stage for their clear dedication to making Colorado the healthiest state in the nation. Through the Healthy Places Initiative, ULC and Colorado Health Foundation partnered to inspire and support the development of healthy communities. Their $1 million investment has secured the resources needed to implement community improvement infrastructure. ULC’s Thriftway property in Westwood is a part of the initiative, and will become a recreation site later this year!
ULC Celebrates the Grand Opening of Renaissance Apartments in Northeast Park Hill
In February, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless held their grand opening ceremony for the recently completed Renaissance at North Colorado Station. This affordable housing development, located at 40th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard consists of 103 individual units including a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Of the total units, 29 were designated specifically for homeless families with children, while another 26 were offered to homeless veterans. The Coalition also reserved 19 units for the Fort Lyons Supportive Residential Community and it’s peer-supported community which addresses homelessness and addiction. This transit-oriented development is located less than a quarter mile from the RTD FasTracks A-Line Station, providing great transit access to residents for jobs, educational opportunities and additional services!
DelWest’s Park Hill Station Apartments Open Their Doors
The official grand opening of this new affordable housing community development will take place until April 21st, and ULC is thrilled to see that residents have already moved in and now call Park Hill Station Apartments home. This marks the first phase of development for ULC’s 9.4 acre Park Hill Village West site adjacent to the A Line Commuter Rail site. Future phases of development are being planned currently, and will include 303 ArtWay, an art and culture trail which is a bike and pedestrian friendly route connecting the greater Park Hill neighborhood to the A Line Commuter Rail station at 40th and Colorado.
ULC’s February Partner Spotlight: Early Excellence Program of Denver
ULC celebrated their partnership with the Early Excellence Program of Denver this past February by acknowledging the organization in the monthly Partner Spotlight.
The Early Excellence Program of Denver is a tenant in ULC’s Tramway Nonprofit Center and provides full day, year-round preschool services to children ages 2.5-5 years old. The program upholds the mindset that every child is a special and unique individual who deserves the highest quality of education, nurturing, love and support possible. In February, Early Excellence celebrated a level five rating by Colorado Shines – one of only three early education programs in the state to do so! To learn more about the Early Excellence Program of Denver, click here.
Community News!
Meet One of ULC’s Current Tenants: Knotty Tie
This past February, our newest tenant moved into the Sante Fe Ten property located in the Arts District of Denver. Meet Knotty Tie, a company devoted to customizable ties, scarves and bow ties, employing past refugees. Knotty Tie invites you all to celebrate their grand opening on April 1st from 6-10pm!
ULC met with Knotty Tie following their move in date to learn more about the company and their goals for the future. Jeremy Priest, co founder of Knotty Tie, explained that their original intent when creating the business was to focus on offering refugees in the Denver area access to a livable and workable wage. His company now employees nine refugees, who have helped streamline the tie making process. To learn more about this awesome company (and where you can find ties of your own), click here.