Renewal Wheat Ridge (Urban Renewal Authority)

The Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority, dba Renewal Wheat Ridge (RWR) is committed to the remediation of blighting conditions in its five plan areas by improving the visual aesthetics and environmental aspects and working a better community of Wheat Ridge.

In 2021, Renewal Wheat Ridge issued bonds netting the Authority over $36 million to be used within the I70/Kipling Corridors Urban Renewal Plan Area. This area generally runs from the Applewood Shopping Center up to the Transit Station at Ward then down Kipling to 26th Avenue; a giant horse-shoe shaped area. The bond proceeds will be used to improve roads, infrastructure, construction of a bridge over the Gold Line station and a pedestrian path to the two ponds on the frontage road along I70. A small portion of the funds will be utilized for public improvements within various developments within the plan area.

This very active board gets to be in on the ‘ground floor’ of what’s happening in Wheat Ridge and is able to support the community through the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funding for property improvement. TIF allows the majority of property taxes on an improved property to flow back to RWR. RWR has had an active role in the development of Perrin’s Row on 38^th Avenue, The Corners at Wheat Ridge, Kipling Ridge Shopping Center (Sprouts), West End 38 Apartments, site improvements in the Paramount Heights Shopping Center (Gold's Marketplace), new outdoor patio at Colorado Plus and future patios at Right Coast Pizza and Clancy's Irish Pub. Renewal Wheat Ridge was also active in the development of the Town Center North affordable senior apartments, new retail space for Swiss Flower and Gift Cottage, the reuse of the Walmart site, the new Uncle Julio’s Hacienda Colorado restaurant, the infrastructure within Clear Creek Crossing as well as funding for traffic signals throughout Wheat Ridge to improve safety.

RWR continues to improve Wheat Ridge and its health by funding the cleanup of contaminated properties. One of those active remediation sites is the old dry cleaners at the corner of 38^th Avenue and Yukon Court. RWR has invested almost $1.5 million into the cleanup of the property so that future generations of Wheat Ridge and the surrounding areas are not impacted by the contaminants left by a previous owner.

RWR is proud of its commitment to remediating blighting conditions in the community and upgrading the retail, service and residential areas of the community. Board members see the results of their decisions to fund projects come to fruition with completed projects that provide new jobs, new housing, and new opportunities in the City.

The RWR Board meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers, as needed. Please check the City Government calendar for updates on meetings.

Agendas

Minutes

Minutes are also available following approval.
Most Recent Minutes. archive.aspx?amid=73&type=&adid=

Members

Members are appointed by the mayor and ratified by city council.

Renewal Wheat Ridge Ongoing and Completed Activities

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Services Agreement the Economic and Planning Systems to create the required documents to create a new Urban Renewal Plan area at the original hospital site between 38th adn 32nd avenues just east of Wadsworth Boulevard. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Services Agreement the Economic and Planning Systems to create the required documents to create a new Urban Renewal Plan area on the northern edge of Wheat Ridge. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Grant Agreement the City of Wheat Ridge to make improvements providing for the removal of barriers between Vance Street near 43rd Avenue into the adjacent shopping center. URA Investment - ^$40,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Grant Agreement the City of Wheat Ridge to repair sidewalks adjacent to 7000 West 38th Avenue. URA Investment - ^$15,126. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Grant Agreement the stormwater improvements for properties near 4433 Tabor Street. URA Investment - ^$375,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Reimbursement Agreement the conversion of a former Howard Johnson Motel on West 44th Avenue near Tabor Street for conversion of 150 hotel rooms to 98 workforce housing units. URA Investment - ^$475,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Reimbursement Agreement for new patio and cooking area on the east side of the building. Public Investment - ^$50,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Reimbursement Agreement with for the Wheat Ridge Lanes on West 38th Avenue. URA Investment - ^$100,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

Moonrise Beer Garden and Food Trucks

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Reimbursement Agreement with for the Moonrise Beer Garden and Food Truck site on West 38th Avenue. URA Investment - ^$100,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

I70/Kipling Corridor Bond Proceeds

The 2021 issuance of bond proceeds netted the Authority $36,310,977.88 which will be used for various public improvements including: 38th/Kipling intersection improvements, I70/32nd Avenue highway improvements, bridge over the Gold Line, pedestrian path from bridge to I70 Frontage Road, road improvements surrounding Gold Line station, Kipling interchange enhancements, private investment into the Gold's Center, and more. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

The Parallel Apartments

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Redevelopment Agreement with The Forum Group for the development of 300+ units of market-rate apartments along the RTD Gold Line at the Wheat Ridge Ward Road Station. URA Investment - ^$8.92 million. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

Paramount Heights Shopping Center (Golds Center)

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Reimbursement Agreement with the owners of the Golds Center at Kipling Street and 26^th Avenue. Renewal Wheat Ridge invested in new public infrastructure including a new parking lot, curb, gutter, sidewalk and landscaping. Grant funds utilized for public improvements. URA Grant Investment - ^$1,583,547. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

A second phase of this development provided an additional ^$1.2 million to the development for additional tenant improvements.

Mestizo Brewery and Cantina - Completed 2022

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Reimbursement Agreement with the owner of a new restaurant concept at 38^th Avenue and Pierce Street. Grant funds utilized for public improvements to the old Quality Auto site. URA Grant Investment - ^$20,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0. Reimbursed to Mestizo 2022

Clancy's Irish Pub

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Reimbursement Agreement with the owner Clancy's Irish pub for the construction of a new outdoor patio, sidewalk improvements, and ADA compliance items. URA Grant Investment - ^$110,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

Swiss Flower and Gifts - Phase I Completed. Debt servicing until 2040

Renewal Wheat Ridge participated in the development of a new retail site on 44th Avenue at Jellison Street measuring 6,600 sf. A Phase II will cause the creation of approximately 7,200 sf of maker space with a value of approximately ^$884,000. URA Investment: ^$767,383. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

Wheat Ridge Cyclery - Completed 2011/Reimbursed 2013

Renewal Wheat Ridge assisted in the expansion of Colorado’s premier bicycle shop. Total Tax Increment: ^$264,180 (fully repaid in 2013) Private investment: ^$2,000,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0

Perrin's Row - Development Completed 2013/reimbursement until 2040

Renewal Wheat Ridge assisted in the development of 26 new town homes on 38^th Avenue between Eaton and Chase Streets along the Ridge at 38. Total Tax Increment: ^$467,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0

Kipling Ridge Shopping Center - Completed 2015/debt servicing until 2024

Renewal Wheat Ridge assisted in public improvements to a site at the southwest corner of Kipling Street and West 38th Avenue. MVG Development constructed a Sprouts, Starbucks, Morningstar Memory Care facility, and one pad remains for a 5,000 tenant building. Renewal Wheat Ridge provided assistance for public infrastructure through a bank loan. Total Tax Increment: ^$2,000,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0

Town Center North - Phase i completed 2013. Phase II completed 2016. Phase III (Ridge House Apartments) to start Spring 2022. Debt servicing on Phase III until 2040. No debt on Phases I & II

Renewal Wheat Ridge purchased land that housed a contaminated transmission shop, Antiques shop and closed retail. Renewal Wheat Ridge cleaned the site, created a subdivision, completed all the infrastructure. Working with Wazee Partners 188 new affordable apartments for active adults was constructed on the site in two phases. A third phase of market-rate, non age restricted units will be developed on the final pad. Total project cost including land purchase and land sale: $3,900,000. Private investment: Phase I - ^$13,000,000, Phase II - ^$12,000,000, and Phase III ^$20,000,000. URA Investment - ^$3,085,268. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0

Uncle Julio's Hacienda Colorado Restaurant at Applewood Shopping Center - Building completed 2018. Debt servicing until 2040

Renewal Wheat Ridge approved a Tax Increment Finance Agreement to provide gap funding for the construction of a Hacienda Colorado Restaurant in the Applewood Shopping Center. The high-scale Mountain Mexfacility will be located on the closed site of the Wells Fargo drive-thru on Youngfield Street. The new restaurant is 9,500 sq. ft. and features a second-story patio. URA Investment - ^$1,100,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

Walmart Reuse at Applewood - Building completed 2019. Debt servicing until 2040

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Redevelopment Agreement with US Retailers for re-tenanting of a shuttered Walmart building. Four new tenants now occupy the space and one pad remains vacant. Private Investment approximately ^$58,000,000. TIF pledge ^$8,441,138. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

The Corners at Wheat Ridge - Final Phase will be complete early summer 2021. Debt servicing until 2040

Renewal Wheat Ridge participated in the development at Wheat Ridges’ most highly visible corner at the southwest corner of Wadsworth Boulevard and West 38^th Avenue. The previous GoFord site had been closed for almost 10-years when Renewal Wheat Ridge assisted the developer in funding a portion of the public infrastructure. Site contains a 35,000 sq. ft. building, up to 45,000 sq. ft. of additional shopping opportunities, and 321 market-rate apartments. Total Tax Increment: ^$6,200,000. Private investment: ^$85,000,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0

Swiss Flower and Gifts - Phase I Completed 2018/debt servicing until 2040

West End 38 - Completed February 2019/debt servicing until 2040

Renewal Wheat Ridge participated in the development of 165 market-rate apartments and 8,000 sq. ft. of retail along west 38^th Avenue at Upham Street. Total Public Investment: ^$2,400,000. Private investment: ^$45,000,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0

RidgeHouse - Adopted Redevelopment Agreement with Ridge House Apartments, LLC

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Redevelopment Agreement for 100% of the tax increment generated by a new development at 44th and Vance Street for construction of approximately 250 market rate apartments. Total Investment: 100% of increment. Cost to Taxpayers: ^$0

Traffic Signal at 44th Avenue and Vance Street

Renewal Wheat Ridge caused to be installed a traffic signal at 44^th Avenue and Vance Street exiting the Town Center North development. Total Investment: ^$350,000. Cost to Taxpayers: ^$0

Traffic Signal at 32^nd Avenue and Xenon Street

Renewal Wheat Ridge participated in a portion of the funding of a traffic signal at 32^nd Avenue and Xenon Street exiting the Applewood Shopping Center. Total Investment: ^$110,000. Private investment: ^$85,000. Remainder of costs come from City general fund.

Colorado Plus Brewpub New Patio - Completed 2020

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Reimbursement Agreement with the owners of Colorado Plus Brewpub located on 38^th Avenue at Reed Street for the development of an exterior patio on the buildings west side. Public Grant Investment - ^$80,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0. Reimbursed in 2020

Clear Creek Crossing

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Redevelopment Agreement with Longs Peak Metropolitan District and Evergreen Development for development within Clear Creek Crossing. The 90+ acre project broke ground in 2019. Public Investment - ^$5,000,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0. This obligation was repaid upon the issuance of the 2022 bonds.

TOD Area - Storm Water Line Replacement

Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Reimbursement Agreement with the Forum Group for replacement and enlargement of a storm water line serving the entire Transit Station along the Gold Line. This line serves all the new development along the station. Public Investment - ^$243,000. Cost to taxpayers: ^$0.

7690 W. 38^th Avenue - Site Remediation

In 2013, Renewal Wheat Ridge purchased a contaminated parcel at 38^th Avenue and Yukon Court. The pad was contaminated due to a previous use as a dry cleaning facility. Renewal Wheat Ridge has been actively remediating the pad along with its partner Terracon, Inc. of Wheat Ridge. Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's (CDPHE) Voluntary Clean-up Program (VCUP). It is anticipated that Renewal Wheat Ridge will receive a No Further Action Determination (NAD) letter in early 2021 which means the site is remediated and can be developed as long as certain standards are met. Public Investment:^$1,600,000. Cost to Taxpayers: ^$0.

12100 W. 4th Avenue - Site Improvements

IN 2022, Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Reimbursement Agreement with W. 44th LLC for improvements to a vacant Howard Johnsons at 12100 W. 44th Avenue to convert the motel to a workforce housing project. RWR Investment:^$400,000. Cost to Taxpayers: ^$0.

38th Avenue and Eaton Street - Storm Water Improvements

IN 2022, Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Redevelopment Agreement with Judy Town Homes for storm water improvements relating to a town home development. RWR Investment:^$300,000. Cost to Taxpayers: ^$0.

6995 W. 38th Avenue/Wheat Ridge Lanes - Reimbursement Agreement

IN 2023, Renewal Wheat Ridge entered into a Reimbursement Agreement with The 13th Frame for expansion of an outdoor patio. RWR Investment:^$100,000. Cost to Taxpayers: ^$0.

38th Avenue near Teller Street - Outdoor Patio Purchase and Maintenance

IN 2023, Renewal Wheat Ridge adopted a resolution authorzing up to $6,000 for the purchase of new outdoor patio elements for 38th Avenue between High Court and Teller Street. RWR also maintains those patios on an annual basis. RWR Investment:^$6,000. Cost to Taxpayers: ^$0.

Overview

Renewal Wheat Ridge is authorized by State Statute C.R.S. § 31-25-101, et. seq., created by the City Council, and granted authority under the Urban Renewal Law "except as may be limited, constrained, or proscribed by any approved and adopted Urban Renewal Plan" (Code of Laws, Chapter 25, Article II, Section 25-22 Opens a New Window. ).