Nowthat Lutheran Hospitalhas movedfrom its 100-acre campus in Wheat Ridge to the new Lutheran Medical Center at Interstate 70 and 40th Street, Wheat Ridge has aunique opportunity todevelop the area and better serve the community.
On Tuesday, voters will decide whether to approve an amended charter to increase the height restriction from 50 feet to 70 feet in the campus center and lower it from 35 feet to 30 feet along the perimeter.
WheatRidge is one of thefew Colorado cities that restricts building height. The city charter limits the maximum allowable density to 21 dwelling units per acre.
Wheat Ridge hopes its restrictions will encourage a potential developer to keep taller,high-densitybuildings in the center of the campus while building lower-density housing with open space and trails along the outer edges.
Michael Coleman, an agent with The Agency Denver, described the site as“a blank canvas with tons of potential.”
“It’s all about having a vision,” he said.“Given my experience in new construction, I see this space as prime for housing development, but ultimately, it’s up to thefuturebuyer to make the most of it. Whoever takes it on is looking at agreat opportunity.”
Wheat Ridge adopted the community-createdLutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan in 2021 to replace the more than 100-year-old hospital.
The city is working on new zoning rules for the property, which is zoned as a Planned Hospital District.That zoning allows hospitals,hospice care, and accessory uses associated with a medical campus.
Wheat Ridge’s proposed plan for the property emphasizes primarily low-density residential uses and buffer space along the edges with higher-density buildings in thecenter.
Doug Jennings,a RE/MAX Commercial Alliance associate, said many options exist to redevelop the property.
“Withafootprintofalmost 100 acres,there are several options to establish a highest and best use,” he said.
“Also, the fact that the campus was not fully developed as a hospital yields to a number of options for a combination of uses like retail,multifamily, and office (possibly still medical office to keep some of the established operations).
This provides the area with a good opportunity for some entertainment and even employmentopportunities.”
CBRE listed 70 acres of the hospital property in April.
Intermountain Health, a nonprofit that runs 33 hospitals throughout the West,owns the property.
Wheat Ridge also hopes to work with the future owner to preserve and potentially adapt three historic buildings on the property: •The Blue House,one of the first structures,was built in 1905 in an area wherethe hospital first used tents to treat tuberculosis patients.
•The 100-foot north tower building, an addition to themainhospital,was constructedin2008.
•The 9,800-square-foot chapel was built in 1932.
Sara B. Hansen hasbeenan editor and writer for more than 20 years. Her professional background includes editing positions at The Denver Post, The Des Moines Register,The Fort CollinsColoradoan,and At Home with Century 21. She’s also the founder and editor of DogsBestLife.com and the author of “The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels.”