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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session Agenda Packet 04-17-17 STUDY SESSION AGENDA CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 W. 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge CO April 17, 2017 6:30 p.m. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City of Wheat Ridge. Call Sara Spaulding, Public Information Officer 303-235-2877 at least one week in advance of a meeting if you are interested in participating and need inclusion assistance. Citizen Comment on Agenda Items 1. Staff Report(s) 2. Wheat Ridge Education Alliance Update 3. Ward Station Vision Update 4. Elected Officials’ Report(s) ADJOURNMENT Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Patrick Goff, City Manager DATE: April 11, 2017 (for April 17, 2017 Study Session) SUBJECT: Wheat Ridge Education Alliance Update The Wheat Ridge Education Alliance (WREA) was established in April of 2014 and is facilitated by City Council member Genevieve Wooden. The mission and goals of WREA are to: Mission Facilitate the creation and maintenance of relationships between and among parents, schools, the local business community and the City of Wheat Ridge, with the goal of informing citizens about the community’s schools and fostering programs involving those parties for the advancement of academic excellence. Goals 1. Expand communication and the flow of information between local schools and residents 2. Identify community partners and engage them in the WREA’s mission of advancing academic excellence 3. Facilitate events that provide residents with opportunities to learn about Wheat Ridge Schools 4. Form stronger relationships with school administrators and parent groups to foster excellence in education Council Member Wooden will provide an update to City Council at the April 17th study session on the activities of the WREA. In addition, members of the WREA and other Jeffco school officials have been invited to the study session to participate in a panel discussion with City Council on issues related to the Jeffco School District. ATTACHMENTS: 1. WREA Update, April 2017 1. Center for Community Safety at Martensen Dedication and Open House Invitation 2. Jeffco Schools Statistics Attachment 1 Wheat Ridge Education Alliance April 2017 Update News Releases/Media Advisories ● Feb. 3, 2017: “Shades of Blue Returns to Wheat Ridge High School” ● Jan. 20, 2017: “The Hub Community Center Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony” ● Jan. 6, 2017: “Wheat Ridge High School Announces Call for Artists” ● Nov. 20, 2016: “Maple Grove Elementary School Hosts Veterans Day Program” ● Oct. 11, 2016: “Pennington Elementary Wins National PTA School of Excellence Award” ● Jul. 13, 2016: “Wheat Ridge Hosts 47th Annual Carnation Festival August 12-14, 2016” ● May 31, 2016: “Wheat Ridge High School STEAM Class Builds Sculpture” ● Mar. 24, 2016 “Wheat Ridge Community Foundation Hosts Gala and Auction to Benefit Wheat Ridge High School STEM/STEAM teams “ Media Coverage ● Shades of Blue gives STEM students scoop on careers – Wheat Ridge Transcript 3/2/2017 ● Shades of Blue Returns to WR HS - Wheat Ridge Transcript 2/16/2017 ● Wheat Ridge HS Fires Up Shades of Blue Flight Program - Neighborhood Gazette 2/2017 ● Stevens Elementary Opens Hub Community Center – Neighborhood Gazette 2/14/2017 ● Jeffco Schools Opens The Hub for Families – 9News 2/7/2017 ● Pennington, Stober parents rally behind schools - Wheat Ridge Transcript 2/9/2017 ● Creating a New Hub for a Community in Need – Wheat Ridge Transcript 2/2/2017 ● WRHS STEAM program seeks artists – Wheat Ridge Transcript 1/12/2017 and 1/19/2017 ● A strong foundation: Local Students Explore Career in Construction – Neighborhood Gazette 1/02/2017 ● Wheat Ridge students talk to NASA Astronaut in Space- Wheat Ridge Transcript 11/29/2016 ● CU Denver engineering program renews partnership with Wheat Ridge High- Denver Post - Your Hub 11/09/2016 ● Pennington Wins National PTA Award – Neighborhood Gazette 10/16/2016 ● The Heart of the Community - Wheat Ridge Transcript 10/12/2016 ● Farmer flock to the high school despite the snow – Wheat Ridge Transcript 4/22/2016 ● Wheat Ridge STEM and STEAM Gala -Wheat Ridge Transcript 4/7/2016 ● Off To the Races Gala for STEM, STEAM, Cars and Art – Neighborhood Gazette 3/16/2016 - Attachment 1 4/19/2016 ● Adding a Little Art to the Mix – Wheat Ridge Transcript / Lakewood Sentinel 3/08/2016 Contributed Articles o "Technology Challenge" at Wheat Ridge's Stevens Elementary: iPads, collaboration, and grit let any student dive deep for knowledge and thinking skills,” Lloyd Levy Carnation Festival Campaign o Banner and flyer o Coordinate Student Picnic Table Art Auction | Student Art Show |and “School Info Booths” at the Festival JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS Please join us for the Center for Community Safety at Martensen Dedication and Open House Wednesday, April 19, 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. 6625 45th Place, Wheat Ridge, 80033 Program begins at 3:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Attachment 2 School 2016-17 Enrollment Capacity Percent Free & Reduced Lunch 2015-16 Percent Mobility (No Dupe/Dupe) Percent ELL Students Number of Non- Resident Students School Website Kullerstrand Elementary 236 289 80.5 26.7/32.3 12.7 3 https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcos- chools.us/kullerstrand-es/ Maple Grove Elementary 389 462 15.9 10.5/10.5 3.3 0 https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcos- chools.us/maplegrove-es/ Pennington Elementary 202 319 89.1 22.5/26.8 18.6 7 https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcos- chools.us/pennington-es/ Prospect Valley Elementary 498 480 22.9 11.4/12.3 3 15 https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcos- chools.us/prospect-valley-elemen- tary-school/? Stevens Elementary 418 711 81.1 15.5/17 18.4 7 https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcos- chools.us/stevens-es/ Stober Elementary 296 324 31.4 7.9/9.3 6.4 6 https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcos- chools.us/stober-es/ Vivian Elementary 202 371 71.5 19.8/24 15.2 3 https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcos- chools.us/vivian-es/ Wilmore-Davis Elementary 310 403 63.5 11.8/13.5 9 14 https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcos- chools.us/wilmoredavis-es/ Everitt Middle School 468 811 67.7 16.3/18 19.4 15 https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcos- chools.us/everitt-ms/ Wheat Ridge High School 1210 1703 48.5 16.3/18.5 13.7 155 https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcos- chools.us/wheatridgehs/ Total 4229 5873 52.2 15.3/17.3 11.9 225 Jeffco Public Schools has been providing educational excellence for more than 60 years. Our mission is to provide a quality education that prepares all children for a successful future. The district serves approximately 86,000 students, 25 percent of whom are minorities and 30 percent of whom qualify for free and reduced lunch.The district has 155 schools on 168 campuses, and is divided into 17 articulation areas. One of those articulation areas is Wheat Ridge, which has a total of ten schools: one high school, one middle school, and eight elementary schools. Below, you will find basic information for each school. Please read on to find more detailed information about the Wheat Ridge area schools. Wheat Ridge aRea SchoolS at a glance Attachment 3 KulleRStRand elementaRy 2016-17 Enrollment 236 Capacity 289 Percent Free & Reduced Lunch Students 80.5 2015-16 Mobility 23.7/32.3 Percent ELL Students 12.7 Non Resident 3 12225 W. 38th Ave. Wheat Ridge, 80033 303-982-1780 Principal Cheryl Clay Grades Served K-6 Preschool No Full Day Kindergarten Yes Half Day Kindergarten No About: • Monthly Ram Pride Assemblies • Student Leadership Organization • Meets and exceeds achievement and growth in reading and math according to state CMAS assessments Kullerstrand Elementary is a small community where all children develop a lifelong appreciation for learning through high quality instruction while challenging themselves to achieve academic excellence. Our staff is committed to developing respectful and confident lifelong learners through excellence in academics, the arts and evolving technologies. We recognize the importance of positive relationships in the lives of our students. We offer a variety of programs to foster positive peer interactions. It is a priority to create a safe learning environment that puts students at the center of all decisions. We focus on the whole child. maple gRove elementaRy 3085 Alkire St. Golden, 80401 303-982-5808 Principal Ian Stone Grades Served K-6 Preschool No Full Day Kindergarten Yes Half Day Kindergarten Yes About: • We are proud of our highly regarded Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program for students with hearing loss. • Our parent community coordinates an extensive extra-curricular program and supports our school in wide-ranging ways. • Our extensive technology features an expanding 1:1 iPad program, advanced sound amplification system in classrooms, and comprehensive video security system. Maple Grove Elementary is a K-6 neighborhood school, recognized nationally as a Blue Ribbon School. Our school thrives on a long, rich history of high academic standards, parent involvement, and an unwavering focus on success for all children. Maple Grove consistently ranks in the upper percentiles for academic achievement as measured by state assessments. Our greatest strength is a highly skilled and committed teaching staff, supported by caring and involved families. 2016-17 Enrollment 389 Capacity 462 Percent Free & Reduced Lunch Students 15.9 2015-16 Mobility 10.5/10.5 Percent ELL Students 3.3 Non Resident 0 pennington elementaRy 4617 Independence St. Wheat Ridge, 80033 303-982-2083 Principal Sandra Craig Grades Served PK-6 Preschool Yes Full Day Kindergarten No Half Day Kindergarten No About: • An Expanded Learning Time School offering 8.5 hours of school to all students K-6. • All students participate in academic interventions/extensions/ Intensives and enrichment classes. • We are a community based school embracing community engagement and participation. Pennington Elementary is a school where “Children are our Priority”. This is demonstrated daily in our intense focus on learning and nurturing the needs of the whole child. Students are exposed to innovative, research- based best practices through programs such as: academic intervention/ extension, library skills, technology, The Daily 5, Positive Behavior Support, breakfast, lunch and snack program, enrichment classes for all students and an expanded learning day. Pennington offers before and after school care, full day kindergarten, Band and Orchestra for all 5th and 6th graders, monthly community engagement nights and outreach and in-reach programs for our families. We are fortunate to sustain many partnerships with local organizations. 2016-17 Enrollment 202 Capacity 319 Percent Free & Reduced Lunch Students 89.1 2015-16 Mobility 22.5/26.8 Percent ELL Students 18.6 Non Resident 7 pRoSpect valley elementaRy 3400 Pierson St. Wheat Ridge, 80033 303-982-7535 Principal Michael Collins Grades Served K-6 Preschool No Full Day Kindergarten Yes Half Day Kindergarten Yes About: • High academic standards • Strong parent involvement • Strong extra-curricular programs Prospect Valley Elementary is an excellent school and a source of pride in the community. We have high expectations for both academics and behavior. Our school offers over 30 extra-curricular activities for our students. The parent support and involvement at our school is second to none. Parents appreciate our welcoming environment as well as our talented and very dedicated staff. Our school has received an “A” rating from Colorado School Grades. Prospect Valley also received the “Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award” in 2014. We want our students to love coming to school as they work to achieve their academic potential. We are a school with a positive and engaging learning environment. 2016-17 Enrollment 498 Capacity 480 Percent Free & Reduced Lunch Students 22.9 2015-16 Mobility 11.4/12.3 Percent ELL Students 3 Non Resident 15 StevenS elementaRy 7101 W. 38th Ave. Wheat Ridge, 80033 303-982-2198 Principal Heather Stewart Grades Served PK-6 Preschool Yes Full Day Kindergarten Yes Half Day Kindergarten No About: • 1:1 iPad site. Each student and teacher is provided with an iPad to use as an instructional tool. • Our students SOAR by being Safe, On-task, And Respectful. We are proudly a PBIS school! • 100 percent of our teachers are highly qualified. Stevens Elementary is home to over 300 students in Pre-school through 4th grade. We are a Title 1 school serving a diverse population of students with a minority rate of 64 percent, Free and Reduced Lunch Rate of 84 percent, and an English Learner population of 24 percent. Our school also serves as a home to both a Challenge Center Program and a Gifted and Talented Center Program. Both of these programs add to the amazing diversity of our school. Our mission at Stevens is to provide a collaborative learning community that empowers all students to reach their greatest potential. We plan on doing this by partnering with families and the community, to stay committed to focused academics, personal accountability and positive attitudes which inspires our students: * To be lifelong learners * To be academically confident * To be self-advocates * To be collaborative 21st century thinkers * To be global thinkers who contribute to the community in a positive way by being responsible and respectful. Our school has been designated to participate in a 1:1 iPad program. This program allows us to provide all students and staff members with iPads to utilize as instructional tools. We are excited to continue our learning around delivering instruction in different ways to reach all students. 2016-17 Enrollment 418 Capacity 711 Percent Free & Reduced Lunch Students 81.1 2015-16 Mobility 15.5/17 Percent ELL Students 18.4 Non Resident 7 StobeR elementaRy 2300 Urban St. Lakewood, 80215 303-982-7610 Principal Anne DiCola Grades Served K-6 Preschool No Full Day Kindergarten Yes Half Day Kindergarten Yes About: • Stober employs a highly qualified staff committed to creating high expectations for student success. • Our school uses Positive Behavior Intervention and Support to improve student performance. • Our school offers a variety of after-school activities for all grade levels. Stober Elementary School is committed to creating an enriching, diverse educational environment that promotes student achievement and success by addressing individual student needs, integrating technology, embedding character development, and promoting safety throughout the school. We have a strong, involved parent-community committed to participation. Our school serves over 330 students in K through 6th grade, and we offer full-day kindergarten. We are proud of our wide variety of extra-curricular activities which include Choir, Art, Cooking, Karate, and Chess Clubs, along with several community service projects in which students and staff participate annually. 2016-17 Enrollment 296 Capacity 324 Percent Free & Reduced Lunch Students 31.4 2015-16 Mobility 79.9*9.3 Percent ELL Students 6.4 Non Resident 6 vivian elementaRy 10500 W. 25th Ave. Lakewood, 80215 303-982-7670 Principal Sherry Carter Grades Served PK-6 Preschool Yes Full Day Kindergarten Yes Half Day Kindergarten No About: • At Vivian Elementary our mission is LEARN ~ GROW ~ SUCCEED. Our vision is that we are a community with a growth mindset that is student-centered, data-driven, and collaborative. • Vivian embraces Jeffco’s 2020 Vision. Students at Vivian not only develop Content Mastery, but also grow in Communication, Critical Thinking & Creativity, Civic & Global Engagement, and Self-Direction & Personal Responsibility. • Vivian is home to a unique Deaf & Hard of Hearing program that incorporates total communication for students. Vivian Elementary is a small neighborhood school that’s known as the “gem” of the neighborhood. We are a diverse, welcoming, inclusive community that provides a nurturing and warm environment while holding high expectations for all learners. Vivian Elementary is currently the only Jeffco school that is part of a Colorado Department of Education Network for continuous learning and improvement. Our teachers are consistently refining their methodologies and instructional practices to ensure student success today and a sound foundation for their future studies. We believe that preparing students for college begins as early as preschool. Vivian has preschool daily and full-day kindergarten. Instruction is rigorous, authentic, and differentiated to meet the individual needs of students. We are also dedicated to increasing our students’ use of technology as a tool to access, deepen, and demonstrate learning, and we have a 1:1 iPad/Chromebook model. Vivian has a partnership with the YMCA to provide students with a wide range of extracurricular activities. We invite you to visit and see what our community has to offer. 2016-17 Enrollment 202 Capacity 371 Percent Free & Reduced Lunch Students 71.5 2015-16 Mobility 19.8/24 Percent ELL Students 15.2 Non Resident 3 WilmoRe-daviS elementaRy 7975 W. 41st Ave. Wheat Ridge, 80033 303-982-2890 Principal Linda Ciccarelli Grades Served K-6 Preschool No Full Day Kindergarten Yes Half Day Kindergarten Yes About: • Wilmore-Davis Elementary provides multiple before- and after-school activities to support enrichment and developmental opportunities for our students. • We consistently engage in strong partnerships with families and community members to provide whole-child support for our students. • We use research-evidenced instruction and technology to serve our diverse student population. We are a professional learning community that focuses on learning more than teaching, collaboration not isolation, and being results-oriented for our students’ achievement, growth, and well-being. Wilmore-Davis Elementary School is committed to creating an enriching educational environment that promotes student achievement and success by addressing individual student needs, integrating technology, promoting safety throughout the school, and encouraging parent-community participation. Our school serves approximately 350 diverse students, kindergarten through 6th grade. Through our partnership with PTA and community members, we offer a variety of extra-curricular activities to support student development. 2016-17 Enrollment 310 Capacity 403 Percent Free & Reduced Lunch Students 63.5 2015-16 Mobility 11.8/13.5 Percent ELL Students 9 Non Resident 14 eveRitt middle School 3900 Kipling St. Wheat Ridge, 80033 303-982-1580 Principal Jeffrey Gomez Grades Served 7-8 About: • Everitt Middle serves a diverse student population. We are a Jeffco Healthy School that provides students with numerous after school opportunities to be active including a Girls Physical Fitness club, open gym and weight room and Friday Books and Basketball. We received a Play 60 grant and serve healthy smoothies to our students who stay after school to participate in numerous clubs. We instituted the CREW program this year to provide academic and social/emotional support for our students on a daily basis. This includes team building, challenge activities and restorative justice circle conversations. Our academic contract/8th hour holds students accountable for maintaining C’s or better in all of their classes and provides academic support when they fall below these expectations. • We have an active PTA that supports students and staff in a variety of ways including family activities and fundraisers. We offer our families the opportunity to use our computer lab once a week during the evening to access the internet and provide our students a place to work on academics if they do not have access to the internet at home. • Everitt serves a diverse population of students and strives to create a safe learning environment for all students. We have a center based gifted and talented program to meet the needs of our GT students. We offer intervention classes to ensure that our students who have gaps in their academic skills have the support to catch up and be successful in grade level content classes. We offer a wide variety of elective classes for our students to choose from including vocal/instrumental music, technical arts, drama, art, computers, physical education and Spanish. 2016-17 Enrollment 468 Capacity 811 Percent Free & Reduced Lunch Students 67.7 2015-16 Mobility 16.3/18.3 Percent ELL Students 19.4 Non Resident 15 Wheat Ridge high School About: • WRHS students continue to demonstrate outstanding growth in student achievement. • In recent years, students have received Boettcher, Daniels and National Merit Scholarships. • WRHS has highly successful and award winning academic, athletic and activity programs. Originally established in 1896, Wheat Ridge is a comprehensive school that has served as the hub of the community for generations. Community members take pride in their school and in maintaining a small town feel in the large Denver metro area. WRHS values academic rigor and high performance expectations for all students. We enthusiastically engage our freshmen in the transition process to promote a positive and successful high school experience and work with our upperclassmen to prepare them for a successful future whether it is higher education or the work force. We value an inclusive educational environment that emphasizes integrity, respect, and responsibility. View an interview with principal Griff Wirth at http://stream.jeffco.k12.co.us/communications/GriffWirth_WRHS.wmv. 9505 W. 32nd Ave. Wheat Ridge, 80033 303-982-7695 Principal Griff Wirth Grades Served 9-12 2016-17 Enrollment 1,210 Capacity 1,703 Percent Free & Reduced Lunch Students 48.5 2015-16 Mobility 16.3/18.5 Percent ELL Students 13.7 Non Resident 155 Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Kenneth Johnstone, Community Development Director THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager DATE: April 10, 2017 (for April 17 CC meeting) SUBJECT: Wheat Ridge-Ward G-Line station area visioning update In July 2016, the City contracted with WSP/PB to conduct long range visioning for the area surrounding the future Wheat Ridge-Ward station on the G-Line commuter rail. Previously, the City has adopted a Comprehensive Subarea Plan (Northwest Subarea Plan (2006/2013)). The City also commissioned an Urban Land Institute Technical Advisory Panel (ULI TAP) in 2015, which analyzed the area and presented market-based real estate recommendations for the area surrounding the future rail station. The intent of the City’s recent work with WSP was to prepare a more refined vision for the future of this important area of the City, building off the City’s comprehensive planning and the ULI TAP recommendations. Additionally, it was the intent to be able to provide a more refined vision for the area to facilitate outreach to the development community and affected property owners. The preliminary vision recommendations were presented to City Council in October 2016 and were presented to the real estate development community at a ULI conference in November 2016. The vision and implementation recommendations are intended to catalyze redevelopment in the area and leverage the City’s $12 million in future infrastructure investments through the voter approved Investing 4 the Future sales tax measure. In part, the vision states the following: “The vision positions the station as the premier location in the metro area for outdoor recreation focused companies and employers by introducing outdoor recreation focused co-working spaces within the station area. The station area offers access to the world-class recreational amenities of the West Denver metro area, Colorado’s Front Range and the Rocky Mountains as well as convenient access to regional employment hubs and Denver International Airport.” The vision document affirms the recommendations from the ULI TAP in regard to employment uses and the need to ensure good urban design, as reflected by a tight street grid, walkable environment and buildings presenting a high level of street orientation. This also aligns with the City’s previously adopted comprehensive planning documents, including Envision Wheat Ridge (2009) and the Northwest Subarea Plan (2013). Because the vision document aligns with those Study Session Memo – Wheat Ridge-Ward Road Station Update April 17, 2017 Page 2 previously adopted plans, staff does not find a need to formally update those policy/planning documents. There are several key components to the vision for the station area: • Co-Working Space – The concept of co-working spaces has gained significant interest and momentum in the metro area and offers diverse opportunities for small and growing entrepreneurial enterprises, such as those in the desired outdoor recreation industry. These types of spaces can take many forms and the vision for these types of spaces should maintain flexibility in the form and location for these spaces and uses. More recently, staff has become aware of a related concept known as “maker spaces”, which are commercial buildings designed to accommodate small scale manufacturing, which might be very appropriate for the outdoor recreation industry. • Active Public Space – Creating active public spaces is a basic tenant of good transit oriented development. Given the active outdoor recreation theme for the Wheat Ridge-Ward station area, active public spaces are highly encouraged in and around the station area. The vision recommends a linear park be created connecting the station area to the proposed regional park amenity at the south of the station area, adjacent to I-70. • “Pop-Up” Uses – These types of ad hoc events might take advantage of the space available at the RTD bus bays and attract regional attention to the station area and help brand it as “Base Camp” for the outdoor recreation industry. • Recreation – Regional trails exist to the north and south of the station area and active recreational opportunities are highly encouraged in the station area and surrounds. The two lakes adjacent to I-70 present opportunities for water-based activities such as kayaking, standup paddle boarding and other water sports. • Regional Park – The proposed regional park would take advantage of the water and could include water sports, a mountain bike park, a community beach and supportive private commercial development. • Multi-Modal Connectivity – With the presence of rail transit, existing and proposed bike and pedestrian facilities and ready access to I-70, the station area defines multi-modal connectivity. • Linear Green Space – As noted above, the vision recommends a programmed linear park connecting the immediate station area to the proposed regional park amenity at the south of the station area, adjacent to I-70. • Iconic Pedestrian Bridge – Presently, it is not easy to access the station from the existing and future development to the south, including the proposed regional park. The only north-south pedestrian and vehicle connections occur at Ward Road and Tabor Street. To provide a more walkable environment, a pedestrian bridge over the tracks is proposed at Study Session Memo – Wheat Ridge-Ward Road Station Update April 17, 2017 Page 3 the station platform. Such a bridge also serves as an opportunity to “brand” the station with an iconic structure that also embraces the outdoor recreation theme. Investing 4 the Future Update: Staff has been working since December on identifying the highest priority infrastructure investments for the $12 million that is assigned to the station area through the voter approved Investing 4 the Future temporary sales tax increase. Infrastructure needs in the area include streets, sidewalks, traffic signals, parks and trails, public plazas, parking structures, stormwater facilities, water and sewer utilities and the pedestrian bridge. Staff intends to make every effort to leverage the Investing 4 the Future public funds with other funding sources, to maximize the impact of the $12 million toward implementing the City’s vision for the area. Other funding sources may include: federal and state matching grants, tax increment financing, metro district financing, developer fees, etc. Staff is in the process of determining which of these funding sources are most appropriate for the various different types of infrastructure investments. It is likely that for this transit station area project that some of the $12 million will be spent soon and some expenditures may be delayed several years as opportunities present themselves to best leverage other funding sources and best catalyze private sector investment that aligns with the City’s vision and economic development goals. Next Steps: The Planning Commission will be updated on the vision at a May meeting. Similarly, the Parks Commission will be given an update in April or May. Staff has begun meeting with developers and property owners to identify public/private ventures and associated infrastructure investments. Those meetings will continue to occur over the next 30-60 days and decisions will then begin to be made on spending the Investing 4 the Future funds. Staff is also finalizing a Scope of Work (SOW) to contract with WSP for a conceptual level visioning process for the proposed pedestrian bridge. WSP has a division dedicated to bridge design and construction and they have designed pedestrian bridges in the Denver Metro region, across the US and internationally. Phase I of the SOW is estimated to cost approximately $30,000 and will be funded through Investing 4 the Future. The Urban Renewal Authority is under contract with Arland Consulting Group to conduct an estimate of available infrastructure funding through tax increment financing as well as capacity to generate revenue through a mill levy in an expanded Metropolitan District. Requested City Council Direction: Staff is requesting City Council affirm their support for the key components of the station area vision as outlined above. Staff welcomes any questions and comments regarding the overall approach for implementing this vision and expending the Investing 4 the Future funds for this project area. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Wheat Ridge-Ward Station Vision (3-13-2017) Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo 03.13.2017 1 Purpose of the Vision The opening of the RTD’s Gold Line commuter rail offers the City of Wheat Ridge a redevelopment opportunity at the Wheat Ridge•Ward Station area. RTD’s Gold Line is expected to open in 2017 and will provide commuter rail service between Wheat Ridge•Ward Station and Denver Union Station. The City of Wheat Ridge engaged WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff to help develop a unique and attractive vision for the station area. The purpose of the Wheat Ridge•Ward Station vision is to: Present a contextual and focused TOD framework that clearly communicates to citizens, stakeholders and the development community the City of Wheat Ridge’s preferred concept for future development surrounding the Wheat Ridge•Ward Station. The station area vision incorporates a unified, market-based concept that is responsive to the opportunities and constraints of the station’s environment. The overall vision was developed using input and ideas from a range of previous City of Wheat Ridge planning efforts and conversations with the Denver metro area’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) community. The vision communicates the City of Wheat Ridge’s TOD vision to multiple audiences required for successful redevelopment. It is imperative that multiple stakeholders, agencies and the development community understand the City’s vision and corresponding expectations. Through individual meetings with relevant stakeholders, consultants presented the station area vision and received feedback from stakeholders. Stakeholders included: area residents, City Council members, City staff, business owners, RTD, members of the development community, and adjacent landowners. This document outlines the visioning process, stakeholder feedback and suggests critical next steps for realizing redevelopment in the Wheat Ridge•Ward Station Area. Wheat Ridge•Ward Station Area Wheat Ridge•Ward Station Vision I-70 Ward R d Ridge R dTabor St City of Wheat Ridge Investment On November 8th, 2016 City of Wheat Ridge voters approved a $12 million funding package for public amenities and infrastructure at Wheat Ridge•Ward Station. Funds will be used for the construction of TOD-appropriate public infrastructure improvements. These improvements may be constructed as City initiated projects, pro-actively prior to redevelopment activities, constructed at the time redevelopment occurs (privately or as public projects), or a combination of the above. Digital Model of the Existing Wheat Ridge•Ward Station Area W h e a t R i d g e • W a r d S t a t i o n NORT H Study Area Attachment 1 03.13.2017 2 Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo Development of the Vision Once open, Wheat Ridge•Ward Station will be one of 74 rail transit stations in the Denver metro area. The large number of existing and future stations requires the development of a unique TOD vision that capitalizes on the opportunities of the station, and Wheat Ridge, in order to spur appropriate and realistic redevelopment. The context of Wheat Ridge•Ward Station is outlined below: In the Region: Wheat Ridge•Ward Station represents one of the few “end of line” stations and, as such, has a unique set of opportunities and challenges. End of line stations may experience heavier park-&-ride demand and longer travel times. However, end of line stations also serve as primary connections to the urban periphery, allowing for unique development that may not be viable at more centrally located stations. This special context allows for the creation of Wheat Ridge specific TOD development that will differentiate it from other RTD transit stations. In the Sub-Region: Wheat Ridge•Ward Station is located in the western sub-region of the Denver metro area. The Wheat Ridge•Ward Station TOD vision was developed with the unique elements of the sub-region in mind. These include: • Access to the vast outdoor recreational amenities of the foothills and mountains • Quick and convenient commuter rail service to downtown (25 minutes) and Denver International Airport • Access to I-70 • Adjacencies to recreational transportation corridors including Clear Creek Trail, Van Bibber Trail and future Peaks to Plains multi-use trail (Platte River - Clear Creek Trail - Clear Creek Canyon - Eisenhower Tunnel) • Access to area employment centers, such as Downtown Denver, Denver West, and the U.S. 36 Corridor • Access to growing suburban residential communities The Site: The location of Wheat Ridge•Ward Station presents a number of opportunities for future development. The vision was developed with these opportunities in mind: •Robust existing employment •Access to recreational amenities •Easy access to multiple regional transportation modes (I-70 / RTD’s Gold Line / Hwy 93 / US 6 /SH58) •Adjacencies to future and existing regional bike routes •Topography and views •Large parcel size •Nearby land is in Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and Jefferson County •Existing and proposed residential development •Potential Redevelopment of RTD’s Parking Lot and Bus Circulation Area •Convenient access to I-70, the foothills and the mountains •A number of light industrial manufacturing businesses, residential communities and medical services •The site of the former Jolly Rancher plant •A large number of parcels and diverse ownership patterns •Two gravel ponds adjacent to I-70 •Proximity to both the Van Bibber and Clear Creek trails •A new RTD station that includes a large park & ride lot, station platforms and bus bays •Senior living facilities •Street improvements related to the RTD Park & Ride facility Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo 03.13.2017 3 Walksheds: A walkshed is the time it takes for an average pedestrian to walk a given distance. In general, a 1/4 mile walk will take 5-10 minutes and 1/2 mile walk takes 10-15 minutes to complete. In terms of transit stops, a walkshed captures distances people are generally willing to walk to and from to access the station. Typical distances include: 1/4 mile for bus stops and 1/2 mile for rail stops. The map to the left illustrates bus and rail walksheds for Wheat Ridge•Ward Station. City of Wheat Ridge City of Arvada Building on Past Efforts This vision was not developed in a vacuum. A substantial amount of work in and around the station area has already been undertaken. Past processes served as the foundation of the this vision, leading to implementable strategies and next steps. Past efforts utilized include: • Urban Renewal/Tax Increment Financing • Investing 4 the Future (Wheat Ridge’s 2E Ballot Initiative with $12M in bond funds) • Metro District approved for a portion of the property • Business Development Zone (BDZ) Program • Enhanced Sales Tax Incentive Program (ESTIP) • Corporate Personal Property Tax Rebate (Jefferson County) In addition to past planning efforts, there are a number of financial incentives available for station area development: •I-70 / Kipling Corridors Urban Renewal Plan (2009) •City of Wheat Ridge mixed use zoning (2010) •EPA Infrastructure Financing for TOD (2013) •Northwest Sub-area Plan (2013) •Ridge Road Catalytic Project (DRCOG/EPA grant funded) (2014) •The ULI TOD TAP Report (2015) •Gold Line Corridor Market and Community Services Analysis (2015) •Gold Corridor Housing Strategy (DRCOG/EPA grant funded) (2015) •Hance Ranch pending development entitlement for residential development adjacent to the station (2017) The Station Area 1/2 Mile Radius 1/4 Mile Radius Wa r d R o a d Ta b o r S t r e e t I-70 Existing Wheat Ridge•Ward Station Area Ridge Roa d 03.13.2017 4 Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo Stakeholders Feedback As part of the effort to develop a realistic vision for the future of Wheat Ridge•Ward Station, the WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff team conducted stakeholder interviews. Previous studies of the area, such as the Urban Land Use Institutes’s Technical Advisory Panel (ULI TAP), have included interviews with public and private sector stakeholders. The purpose of this most recent round of interviews was to build off of prior findings and reach out to a broader audience of stakeholders and industry experts. In addition to local landowners, and city council members, the consultant team connected with real estate developers and other professionals actively involved with transit oriented development in the Denver region. While prior efforts involved interviewees with development expertise, the team expanded the search to amass fresh opinions and insights. Though the feedback varied, several themes emerged from these conversations, including the following: Market readiness and timing: Several interviewees felt that the previous vision for the station area reflected a TOD format that was too conventional and, in terms of density and zoning, did not match current market conditions for the site. Although the presence of transit is important, it is not enough to be a development catalyst in and of itself, and there still needs to be strong market and site attributes in place. However, stakeholders generally agreed that the site’s mix of strengths and weaknesses for new development was not competitive with the many other TOD opportunities throughout the region. As such, it would likely take many years to achieve the vision of high-density, mixed-use office and multifamily housing configured atop ground-floor retail. Conversely, in order to catalyze development activity at the site and spark a more near-term opportunity, a more unique and strategic vision would need to be developed, one that leverages the site’s strengths. Site-specific comments: Opinions varied about the site’s relative strengths and weaknesses for new development, but there was a general consensus that the station area needs work to improve the overall development opportunity. Some felt that a key priority should be making the entrance from Ward Road attractive as a first impression. Others suggested a land use vision that has a correlation with the existing buildings and land use patterns. Interviewees emphasized that future development would not mirror or replicate other TOD’s, such as Arvada. Most felt that while I-70 provides great access, it is also somewhat of a physical barrier to attracting people from the south. Preferred land uses: The concept of “outside-the-box” themes and formats came up frequently and resonated with many interviewees who felt that this strategy would be the best to accelerate activity at the site. Some recommended a “green concept” or outdoor theme tying into recreation, linking to existing trails, and leveraging mountain views, which are all things that resonate with citizens of the region. Several commented that it is not a good site for retail and/or restaurants. Those experienced in commercial development indicated that a flexible, lower-density office space could be viable now but may not fit a conventional TOD vision/format. Some elected officials expressed the desire for multifamily uses and a preference for modern looking attached product (apartments and townhomes) to attract younger residents. Target audiences and activities: Some interviewees mentioned that Wheat Ridge is an older community and that the site represents an opportunity to diversify by attracting younger age groups. Activating and programming the site, even before horizontal development takes place, could be a great way to attract people to the site early on through memorable activities. Existing Buildings in the Wheat Ridge•Ward Station Area 1/4 Mile Radius 1/2 Mile Radius 52ND AVE RIDGE RD TS R O B A T 48TH NORTH AVE - FR N I-70 TS R O B A T 48TH NORTH AVE - FR N I-70 I-70 WAR D R D ( S H - 72 ) WARD RD STATION AREAFigure-Ground Diagram 1” = 200’ Legend ROW/RR/Water Building FootprintsParcel Lines Wa r d R o a d I-70 Ridge Road Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo 03.13.2017 5 The Urban Land Institute (ULI) TOD Market Place An important venue for the distribution and testing of the Wheat Ridge•Ward Station TOD vision was the Urban Land Institute TOD Market Place that took place on November 9th and 10th, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Denver. This event provided the City with the opportunity to present the Wheat Ridge•Ward Station TOD vision to the development community and jurisdictional partners in order to gauge the viability of the vision and garner additional feedback. In general, other governmental organizations, municipalities, and developers showed interest and gave positive feedback, and no one shared negative feedback. The team developed a number of interactive visual deliverables that were exhibited during this event including: •An interactive virtual reality (VR) application that allowed users to visualize the future station while on the convention floor. This VR application illustrated the commuter rail station and showcased the type of development that is desired. The VR experience can be found at: http://demo1.pbid.com/viz/wheat_ridge/ •An oblique video of the station area that showed how it could evolve from its current condition into the future TOD vision. The video allowed viewers to visualize the evolution of proposed future development. Screen capture of video exhibited at the ULI TOD Market Place. Image illustrates the final “vision” developed for Wheat Ridge•Ward Station. The proposed regional park can be seen adjacent to I-70, the Linear Green space can be seen connecting the regional park to the RTD transit station. Still shot of the virtual reality rendering of the station plaza looking North. The vision encourages active transportation amenities at the station, as well as, a few transit focused commercial uses. Ward R d Ridge R d Wh e a t R i d g e • War d S t a t i o nTabor St Line a r G r e e n S p a c e R e g i o n a l P a r k NORT H 03.13.2017 6 Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo Wheat Ridge•Ward Station Vision: Uniquely Wheat Ridge The exhibit below represents a future vision for Wheat Ridge•Ward Station. This concept is based on past planning efforts already completed by the City, contextual conditions of the site and feedback garnered from agency stakeholders, city staff, decision makers, the development community and land owners. The vision positions the station as the premier location in the metro area for outdoor recreation focused companies and employers by introducing outdoor recreation focused co-working spaces within the station area. The station area offers access to the world-class recreational amenities of the West Denver metro area, Colorado’s Front Range, and the Rocky Mountains as well as convenient access to regional employment hubs and Denver International Airport. The outdoor recreation focus of the station area will be supplemented by on-site recreational amenities that will complement development. Base Camp: “The plan is known formally as the Wheat Ridge•Ward Station Vision, but lately by the more user-friendly “Base Camp” (Councilman Zach Urban) — a nod to outdoorsy entrepreneurs who might want to set up shop a few miles from the foothills west of Denver yet still easily connect to the rest of the metro area and Denver International Airport via train.” - Denver Post, 12.05.2016. http://www. denverpost.com/2016/12/05/wheat-ridge- outdoor-recreation-base-camp-rail-stop/ Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo 03.13.2017 7 Wheat Ridge•Ward Station Vision: Components Co-Working Space: Traditional conceptions of TOD development consist of multi- story mixed-use buildings that incorporate active ground floor uses, office or residential above, and parking garages tucked to the interior of buildings. This traditional conception of TOD development is often desired irrespective of the conditions of the station. The Wheat Ridge•Ward Station Vision imagines an outdoor oriented, co-working development as a primary organizing element. This element leverages the area’s existing employment patterns, reflects the location’s prime access to west-metro recreational amenities and can be realized within a relatively easy to construct, land value appropriate development product. Similar uses are being developed across the metro area. However, the Wheat Ridge•Ward Station iteration is the only type that visualizes a co-working environment specifically for outdoor recreation companies and start-ups. Active Public Space: One strategy cities can use to assist in driving development is the construction of public amenities that attract development. The vision suggests the development of a linear green space that permeates the station area. This linear green space would augment the outdoor industry co-working space by providing unique recreational amenities such as exercise tracks, soft surface trails, obstacle courses, skate parks and formal pocket parks for gathering. The linear green space would be an organizational element that future development could be positioned around. Where the green space intersects with the station platform, the vision proposes two right-sized plazas at the base of an architecturally iconic pedestrian bridge that could include locations for public art. This can be accomplished initially by public investment and then allowing developers to pay a “fee-in-lieu” of developing their own open space that reimburses publicly funded dollars. “Pop-Up” Uses: Wheat Ridge•Ward Station may see a longer lead time for development given its distance to the urban core and its end of line location. Within this context, early wins that build excitement for the station will be an important element of success. A number of “pop-up” events should be programmed to build excitement within the community. Events could include: • A farm-to-table dinner and train ride event at Wheat Ridge•Ward Station that departs Union Station • A summer concert series • Outdoor recreation events (partnering with Wheat Ridge-based outdoor recreation focused companies) • Relocation of existing Wheat Ridge events to Wheat Ridge•Ward Station These events would be used to activate the large RTD bus facility that will be largely unused due to a shift in the bus service plan. Recreation: Recreation plays a large role in the station’s future vision because of it’s proximity to premier regional recreational amenities. To augment this opportunity the vision advocates the development of a unique recreational node that can further enhance the station’s recreational quotient. The vision suggests using the two ponds near I-70 and surrounding land to develop premier regional recreation amenities. Amenities could include: •A mountain bike park that takes advantage of topography •Active water uses such as stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and other water sports •A boathouse recreation center that serves as the park’s focal point •Opportunities for private development (with visibility from I-70) •Running and hiking trails •Playgrounds 03.13.2017 8 Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo Linear Green Space Multi Modal Connectivity Regional Park A regional park that leverages existing water features and topography to create a recreational hub and attraction. Elements could include: • Hike & bike trails • Water sports • Water features • Community beach • Private development opportunities • Locations for public art A programmed linear green space that includes facilities for multiple types of recreational endeavors. The green space would serve to connect both sides of the station area and serve as an organizing element for development. Features could include: • Walking and bike paths • Outdoor exercise nodes • Small “pocket parks” • Playgrounds and skate parks • Locations for public art Enhanced multi modal connections within the site and to regional trails will offer: • Transportation mode choice • Outdoor-focused connections • A healthier community • An active and vibrant streetscape Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo 03.13.2017 9 Linear Green Space Conceptual Cross Section This conceptual cross section shows the soft surface trail, the two-way cycle track, and the exercise track, all of which complement the outdoor focused employment uses and provide outdoor recreation within close proximity to future residents and businesses. The linear green space will also provide connectivity within the site and to nearby recreational amenities. The linear green space provides opportunities not only for recreation but also offers a location for green infrastructure facilities like rain gardens. The linear green space not only offers a location for active transportation facilities, it also offers places for relaxation and opportunities for community connections. Quiet, personal spaces should be developed along the linear green space in order to provide residents, employees and visitors places for reflection and relaxation. Soft Surface Trail Two Way Cycle Track Exercise Track Linear Green Space Co-Working Space 03.13.2017 10 Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo Iconic Bridge to Join the Station Area One of the focal points of the station area vision will be an iconic pedestrian bridge that connects the north and south sides of the station area and the linear green space. The final design of the bridge should meet the particular functional needs of the station area and linear green space while also alluding to the unique outdoor recreation inspired vision for the site. Below are some iconic pedestrian bridges from around the world. 16th St Ped Bridge Spanning I-25 (Denver, CO)Harbor Drive Ped Bridge (San Diego, CA) Henderson Waves Ped Bridge (Mount Faber Park, Singapore)Ribeira da Carpinteira Ped Bridge (Covilha, Portugal) Dos Lagos Ped Bridge (Corona, CA)Rendering of Bridge at Gates Site (Denver, CO) Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo 03.13.2017 11 Next Steps This vision, in combination with the previously completed work and the $12M voter approved sales tax initiative (Investing 4 the Future) for the station, sets a solid foundation for desired redevelopment at Wheat Ridge•Ward Station. In order to sustain current momentum the City should continue to engage and collaborate with stakeholders (agencies, property owners and the development community), develop finite planning and engineering documents that support the vision and determine the most appropriate public/private financing vehicles relative to Wheat Ridge specific TOD development. Next steps the City may wish to consider are broken into four focus areas: • Collaboration, Education and Consensus Building • Planning, Economic Development and Engineering • Financing Options • Pedestrian and Cycling Connectivity Collaboration, Education and Consensus Building Transit Alliance: • Work with Transit Alliance to enroll property owners/residents in the Citizens Academy in order to sustain station area momentum • Convene a Transit Alliance event focused on the station area to build momentum and facilitate community involvement • Use as a mechanism for identifying local champions (residents, political leaders, employers) ULI & Developer: • Continue to market/promote the station area through ULI and other professional organizations in order to identify possible private partners The Outdoor Industry: • Reach out to prominent regional business entities • Engage trade groups (Cycling, Winter Sports, Climbing, Apparel, etc.) • Work with Great Outdoors Colorado (to explore funding opportunities) TOD Developers: • Identify specific TOD/niche developers to build further relationships with (targeted outreach to less conventional developers) Station Area Employer Partnerships to Further the Vision: • Partner with Kaiser Permanente to develop healthy elements/places • Partner with American Baptist Home (Senior Living Facilities) • Partner with Full Spectrum Analytics (Tech Company) • Partner with TIGAR Gymnastics (Exercise / Sports) • Partner with Auto Service Companies (incorporate transit as a way to innovate existing business models and stimulate growth) • Partner with Down River (River Rafting Company) • Partner with Wheat Ridge Cyclery Nearby Property Owners: • Identify joint-development strategies for the Jolly Rancher site and begin to re-engage the land owners • Understand all landowner needs related to redevelopment 03.13.2017 12 Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo Collaboration, Education and Consensus Building Cont’d RTD: • Develop immediate and longer term solutions for station bus bays and Park & Ride facilities • Develop station area parking strategies that meet the needs of both RTD and future redevelopment • Explore joint development opportunities on RTD owned land • Explore acquiring/encouraging retail development at the old, RTD owned Park & Ride facility adjacent to I-70. If included in a URA district, tax increment financing (TIF) could be used to fund station area infrastructure Community Outreach Mechanisms: • Continue active community engagement with residents and businesses to build support for the station area vision. Given the complex group of stakeholders this may best be done on an individual basis. Partner Jurisdictions: • Develop mutual strategies that benefit all and incentivize the desired development at the station area. Partners could include: • The City of Arvada • Jefferson County Planning / Public Works • Jefferson County Open Space • Jefferson County Housing Authority • Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation • Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) • State Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Branding / PR Campaign: • Develop PR Campaign: To convey the larger station area vision to the Denver metro area • Develop Branding: To refine/consolidate the vision and create a “Wheat Ridge •Ward Station” based brand Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo 03.13.2017 13 Planning, Economic Development and Engineering Parcel Assemblage: • Acquire or assist in assembling parcels for catalytic development Revise Current Land Use Regulations: • Develop a transit station overlay to match the station area vision and ensure that new development contributes to the vision • Develop detailed processes and state expectations for developers regarding infrastructure commitments Develop a Specific Economic Development Plan: • Assist with business retention and relocation as necessary. Smaller, light industrial businesses and “creative industries” that are consistent with this plan’s recommendations should be incentivized to stay or be encouraged to move to the station area • Develop mechanisms that will help small businesses and start-ups remain in the station area as land values rise Housing Policy: • Provide capacity for people of varying income levels to live in the station area Catalytic Property Strategies: • Engage owners of gravel ponds to explore joint-development of the regional recreational node outlined in the vision • Re-engage owners of Jolly Rancher site to develop catalytic co-working space • Develop a strategy for joint-development or property acquisition for vital station parcels • Identify City funds, mechanisms and strategies that can assist in developing the Linear Green Way found in the Station Area vision Develop Wayfinding / Signage Plan: • Aim to develop a TOD district look and feel that differentiates it from other areas of the Denver metro area • Increase the visibility of the station area from I-70 by using billboard advertisements promoting the new vision and eventual development • Increase station area visibility from nearby arterials roads by using signs and entry features • Perpetuate the “Base Camp” brand by developing wayfinding signs and a wayfinding signage plan Pop-Up and Temporary Events: • Develop and program a series of outdoor events that utilize the new bus bays as a venue • Hire an event planner to assist in programing unique, Wheat Ridge specific, events at the station • Partner with station area businesses to develop events at the station Pedestrian and Cycling Connectivity • Design a iconic pedestrian bridge • Develop multi-modal transportation linkages to adjacent neighborhoods and regional facilities • Provide cycling amenities at the station to support first and last mile connections to transit 03.13.2017 14 Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo Future Funding and Financing Considerations Expansion of the Metropolitan District: The metropolitan district is currently limited to the Jolly Rancher parcel. While this is a large portion of the station area (approximately 13.65 acres), revenue generation could be increased further through expansion of the district boundary to include additional properties. It is recommended that further financial analysis be conducted to estimate the revenue generating potential of an expanded district under certain development build-out scenarios. Understanding the magnitude of revenue generated under the most likely build-out scenarios will shed light on whether an outreach effort to expand the district is something that the City should undertake. Consider Development Impact Fees: Impact fees are one-time charges collected from developers and/or property owners to fund public infrastructure and services made necessary by the new development. Politically, the mechanism is generally well-accepted, as fees are levied against new development rather than existing residents and business owners. However, in some instances, fees have become too onerous and have reduced the competitiveness of certain areas. Fees that are too high could impact that station area’s competitiveness relative to a similar property with no fee, as fees are usually passed through from developers to buyers and/or tenants in the form of higher home prices or commercial rents. Given the scale of potential future development, impact fees for infrastructure could represent a significant funding source. However, market demand to develop in the Ward Road station area has historically been limited, so additional fees may serve to further deter momentum at the site, as an increased cost represents increased risk to the developer. As such, it is recommended that these fees not be assessed in the early stages of development, but considered for later phases depending on the rate of development progress. Existing Funding and Financing What’s been done: There are several mechanisms available to the City to help pay for the necessary infrastructure required to achieve the vision for the Wheat Ridge•Ward Station area. To date, the City has effectively implemented the following revenue generating mechanisms: •Sales Tax Increase: The November 2016 voter approval of a temporary increase in sales and use tax will generate approximately $12 million to fund public improvements in the station area which will facilitate redevelopment and economic development opportunities. •Ward TOD Metropolitan District: Colorado statutes allow for the creation of special districts that assess additional mill levies on property within the district boundaries to help pay for certain public services and infrastructure needs. The Ward TOD Metropolitan District was formed in 2012, but the boundary is limited to a single large parcel in the station area (the Jolly Rancher site). •Tax-Increment Finance (TIF): The establishment of the I-70/Kipling Corridors Urban Renewal Area makes the station area eligible for the use of tax-increment finance (TIF). Special districts and TIF represent some of the more commonly used mechanisms and can be especially effective in generating revenue in areas such as the Wheat Ridge•Ward Station area, where there is potential for significant new development. Recommendations for further study: While these efforts represent a strong start to funding the future vision of the area, further steps should be considered to maximize the revenue generating potential of the area, including the following: Pursue Grant Opportunities and Other Resources: Competitive grants can be significant one-time funding sources, although by definition they cannot be relied upon as an ongoing, steady stream of revenue. Further research is recommended to determine the project’s eligibility for grant opportunities at the federal, state, and local level. For example, given the significant amount of open/park space proposed for the station area, the site may be eligible for competitive grants offered through Great Outdoors Colorado and other state and local agencies. Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo 03.13.2017 15 Critical Infrastructure Investments The table below presents a high-level qualitative analysis representing a suggested order of infrastructure investment in order to catalyze development at the station. Each critical investment lists both the benefits and risks associated with the construction of the specific facility. Infrastructure Investments *In order of development Benefits Risks Regional Park • Build notoriety in the metro area by investing in the “front door of the station area” • Park serves not only the station area but also the larger community • Park will reinforce the “Base Camp” brand • Funds could be recovered through fee-in-lieu for open space commitments once development starts to occur • Private development on the site could help fund the project • Funds may not be recovered through development contributions • Price • Timing and length of station area redevelopment is an unknown Linear Green Space • Build notoriety in the metro area by investing in a key contributing element to the “Base Camp” brand outlined in the vision • Open space construction not only serves the station area but also the larger community • Funds could be recovered through fee-in-lieu for open space commitments once development starts to occur • Park could help to energize the station area with alternative transportation modes, pop-up events and outdoor activities • Funds may not be recovered through development contributions • Price • Timing and length of station area redevelopment is an unknown Street Improvements • Investment in key streets will encourage walking, biking and redevelopment in the station area • Physical representation of City expectations related to street design • Station area branding could be incorporated into street elements to elevate the “Base Camp” brand • Shouldering of cost guarantees a City-driven street environment • Price • Do constructed streets meet future development needs? 03.13.2017 16 Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Vision Memo Infrastructure Investments *In order of development Benefits Risks Traffic Signals • Provide needed traffic control elements to manage increased traffic in the station area • Will assist in facilitating bike and pedestrian movements from adjacent residential areas, activating the station area • Monument, signage and branding elements for the station area could be paired with signal construction to build the brand • Unknown • CDOT Approval Pedestrian Bridge & Station Plaza Construction • Will connect both sides of the station area bisected by the rail line • Could serve as an architectural center piece for the station area • Price • Initial pedestrian movements may not warrant the need • Cost cannot be recovered through development fees Utility Construction (On-going as Development Occurs) • Development of sewer, domestic water and storm water facilities could assist in attracting redevelopment • Construction of utilities could be an incentive for development and private investment • Services to key parcels could minimize costs and activate catalytic station parcels • Location and sizing of utilities • Price • Timing and length of station area redevelopment is an unknown • Investments may not attract redevelopment