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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-26 Special Study Session Agenda PacketSPECIAL STUDY SESSION AGENDA CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO Monday, February 9, 2026 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be conducted as a virtual meeting, and in person, at: 7500 West 29th Avenue, Municipal Building, Council Chambers. City Council members and City staff members will be physically present at the Municipal building for this meeting. The public may participate in these ways: 1. Attend the meeting in person at City Hall. Use the appropriate roster to sign up to speak upon arrival. 2. Provide comment in advance at www.wheatridgespeaks.org (comment by noon on February 9, 2026) 3. Virtually attend and participate in the meeting through a device or phone: Click here to pre-register and provide public comment by Zoom (You must preregister before 5:00 p.m. on February 9, 2026) 4. View the meeting live or later at www.wheatridgespeaks.org, Channel 8, or YouTube Live at https://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/view Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City of Wheat Ridge. The City will upon request, provide auxiliary aids and services leading to effective communication for people with disabilities, including qualified sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, documents in Braille, and other ways of making communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments. To request auxiliary aid, service for effective communication, or document in a different format, please use this form or contact ADA Coordinator, (Kelly McLaughlin at ada@ci.wheatridge.co.us or 303-235-2885) as soon as possible, preferably 7 days before the activity or event. Public Comment on Agenda Items 1. Next Steps for Kullerstrand and Wilmore Davis Elementary Schools ITEM NO. 1 Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager FROM: Lauren Mikulak, Community Development Director DATE: February 9, 2026 SUBJECT: Next Steps for Kullerstrand and Wilmore Davis Elementary Schools ISSUE: The purpose of the February 9 special study session is to provide the Mayor and Council with an update on the city’s proposed approach to advancing reuse and redevelopment of the former Kullerstrand and Wilmore Davis Elementary School properties. This memo summarizes recent history, the draft Request for Interest (RFI), and anticipated next steps. PRIOR ACTION: City Council has received multiple briefings and updates related to school closures and future reuse, including: • October 2022: Initial briefing on potential school closures • November 2022: More detailed briefing prior to school closures • November 2023: School district update on closed school properties • April 2024: School district update, including disposition planning City Council requested that the school district not advance any disposition decisions related to Kullerstrand or Wilmore Davis until the completion of several important city planning documents. That request was honored, and in late 2025 Council adopted two plans which will guide the reuse of the vacant school properties. • September 2025: City Plan • October 2025: Parks and Recreation Pathway With these plans in place, city staff is prepared to take the next step toward identifying a development partner through an RFI. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Aside from staff time, there is no cost to the city to advance an RFI and seek a developer partner. As described below and in the RFI, the city intends to utilize a portion of each school property for parks and recreation purposes, and there will be costs Study Session Memo – Next Steps for Kullerstrand and Wilmore Davis February 9, 2026 Page 2 associated with acquisition and development of those portions. The 2026 Open Space Fund Budget includes $2.0 million to contribute towards acquisition and/or property development. BACKGROUND: In November 2022, the Jefferson County Public School Board (Jeffco Schools) voted to close 16 elementary schools across the district, including Kullerstrand and Wilmore Davis which are located within Wheat Ridge. The schools closed in May 2023 at the end of the 2022–23 school year. Since that time, the city and the school district have engaged in ongoing coordination regarding the future of the properties. City Council requested that Jeffco Schools pause disposition decisions for the Wheat Ridge schools until the city completed two major planning efforts: • the City Plan (comprehensive plan), and • the Parks and Recreation Pathway (parks and recreation master plan). The school district honored this request, allowing the city to complete and adopt both plans in fall 2025. Together, the plans articulate long-term land use, park, and community priorities for these sites. Through existing joint use agreements, the city currently uses portions of both school properties for parks and recreation purposes and intends to maintain long-term public use of those areas. However, the city does not have the capacity to take ownership of the school buildings, nor does it have the financial ability to subsidize private redevelopment beyond investing in public park improvements. As a result, staff is proposing a partner-based redevelopment approach that combines city ownership of parkland with private-sector reuse or redevelopment of the school buildings and remaining land. Staff have met with Jeffco Schools regarding this approach, and the district has expressed support for the city issuing an RFI to identify potential development partners. The RFI is intended to position the city to submit a coordinated, whole-site proposal through the school district’s Municipal Interest Process, if and when the properties are formally declared surplus. Request for Interest Staff are proposing to release a Request for Interest to solicit development and reuse concepts for the portions of each site not intended for long-term city park use. The draft RFI is attached. The RFI is not a request for final proposals or a commitment to a specific project, but rather an early step to: • Gauge market interest and financial feasibility, • Identify potential development partners, • Explore reuse and redevelopment concepts aligned with adopted city plans, and Study Session Memo – Next Steps for Kullerstrand and Wilmore Davis February 9, 2026 Page 3 • Prepare coordinated site proposals for submission to Jeffco Schools through its Municipal Interest Process. The city will manage the evaluation process, and the school district will not participate in the selection of the city’s developer partner. Final decisions regarding surplus, reuse, price, and sale rest solely with the Jeffco School Board. Next Steps City and school district staff have coordinated on the appropriate timing for the release of an RFI and next steps: • February 4, 2026: Jeffco Public Schools is scheduled to hold a study session to discuss a bulk declaration of excess school properties. • February 9, 2026: City Council will hold a study session (this item) to review the draft RFI approach. • February 12, 2026: As a follow-up to the February 4 discussion, Jeffco Public Schools may consider action to advance disposition at a business meeting. This action would allow the district to begin considering reuse proposals. • Second half of February 2026: City would release the RFI, contingent on Jeffco action. • Approximately 45 days after RFI release: City would begin review of submitted statements of interest. Staff will return to City Council later in the process as proposals are refined and next steps are identified. RECOMMENDATIONS: No formal direction or consensus is requested at this time. Prior to advancing the RFI distribution, staff is seeking Council feedback on: • The proposed RFI approach • The balance between public park investment and private redevelopment • The anticipated timeline and general process ATTACHMENTS: 1. Draft RFI with Exhibits 1 ATTACHMENT 1 DRAFT REQUEST FOR INTEREST Redevelopment and/or Reuse of Vacant Wheat Ridge Elementary Schools Published [DATE] Section 1. PURPOSE The City of Wheat Ridge is requesting statements of interest regarding the redevelopment and/or reuse of two vacant public elementary school properties: • Kullerstrand Elementary School located at 12225 W 38th Avenue • Wilmore Davis Elementary School located at 7975 W 41st Avenue The schools are currently owned by Jefferson County (Jeffco) Public Schools and were closed in May 2023. Through joint use agreements, the city utilizes portions of each property for parks and recreation purposes and is seeking to maintain that use in a long- term capacity, but the city is not in a position to utilize the entire property nor to repurpose the school buildings. The city is seeking a partner to redevelop or reuse the portions of each property that contain the school buildings. In partnership with the selected respondent(s), the city will present a reuse proposal to Jefferson County Public Schools. This request is intended to provide the opportunity for interested developers or entities to demonstrate their interest and capability. Respondents may submit for one or both school properties. The city intends to begin reviewing submittals approximately 45 days after the RFI is issued and may continue to accept and evaluate responses beyond that date. The city reserves the right to proceed with one or more respondents at any time following the initial review. This RFI is organized as follows: • Section 1. Purpose • Section 2. General Background • Section 3. About Wilmore Davis • Section 4. About Kullerstrand 2 ATTACHMENT 1 • Section 5. City Plan • Section 6. City and School Roles • Section 7. Statement of Interest • Section 8. Selection Process • Section 9. Supplemental Information • Section 10. Exhibits Section 2. GENERAL BACKGROUND On Thursday, November 10, 2022, the Jefferson County Public Schools Board voted unanimously to close 16 elementary schools across the district. Among them were two school properties within Wheat Ridge city limits: Kullerstrand Elementary and Wilmore Davis Elementary. The schools were closed at the end of the 2022-23 school year. The school closures occurred under the project name “Regional Opportunities for Thriving Schools,” and the school district maintains a project website regarding property disposition: https://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/services/facilities/property-disposition. Jeffco’s disposition process includes a “Municipal Interest Process” whereby the city may discuss reuse ideas with Jeffco before the property is marketed for sale. Jeffco Public Schools has honored the city’s request to hold the properties until the completion and adoption of the city’s City Plan and Parks and Recreation Pathway which took place in fall 2025. The purpose of this RFI process is to prepare a whole site proposal for each school in partnership with the selected respondent(s) to be submitted to Jefferson County Public Schools through their Municipal Interest Process. Section 3. ABOUT WILMORE DAVIS A. Property and Zoning Information – Wilmore Davis Wilmore Davis is located within city limits on property owned by the school district. A profile of the property is provided below, and zoning and aerial maps are enclosed as supplementary documents. • Wilmore Davis Elementary School is located at 7975 W 41st Ave. • The school is located in the central portion of Wheat Ridge. It sits on the north side of 41st Avenue less than a ¼-mile west of Wadsworth Boulevard. West 41st Avenue is a collector street connecting the neighborhoods to the west to Wadsworth; 41st Avenue terminates about a half mile west of the school property. • The entire property is zoned Residential-Two (R-2). • Based on Jefferson County Assessor records, the total size of the site is approximately 7.23 acres, and the school building is listed at 38,595 square feet in size. Assessor records indicate the school was built in 1955. 3 ATTACHMENT 1 • The surrounding area is predominantly residential in character. To the east, west, and south are neighborhoods comprised of single-unit homes and duplexes. The average lot size in the area is about 9,000 square feet. To the northeast is a 5.5-acre townhome development at 42nd and Yarrow. To the northwest is the city-owned Happiness Garden—a long-standing community garden. • Vehicular access is currently only available from 41st Avenue. There is adjacency to the 42nd Avenue cul-de-sac at the northeast corner, and 44th Avenue is 1000 feet beyond that corner to the north. • Wadsworth Boulevard is ¼-mile to the east of the site. The city recently completed an $85M improvement project which improved capacity, safety, efficiency, and multimodal facilities. As part of the project, a signal was installed at 41st and Wadsworth allowing full turning movements at the intersection. From Wilmore Davis, the nearest I-70 access is from Wadsworth about 1 mile to the northeast. • A wide range of restaurants and businesses are located on Wadsworth, including a Safeway grocery store. The site is less than a mile from the city’s main street district (38th Avenue from Wadsworth to Sheridan) which is anchored by the city’s recent $8M investment in the Green at 38th, a community park and gathering space. • The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has a bus route on Wadsworth Boulevard, and nearby east-west routes are located on 38th and 44th Avenues. The closest rail station is RTD’s Arvada Olde Town station, a 10-minute drive to the north. • The site is served by several special districts which are separate and distinct from the city: West Metro Fire Protection District, Wheat Ridge Water District, and Wheat Ridge Sanitation District. • [Insert conditions summary of school building here if provided by the district.] B. City Use – Wilmore Davis The city has an intergovernmental agreement with the school district that allows for joint use of school properties, and the city is seeking to maintain long-term ownership and use of the northern portion of the Wilmore Davis property. The city’s desired future use of the property is described below and is based on current use agreements and recommendations from the Pathway. The Trust for Public Land’s ParkServe program identifies areas south and west of the Wilmore Davis site as being “Moderate” priority areas where residents do not currently have access to a traditional park site in their neighborhood. Preserving the northern grounds at Wilmore Davis as a public park would help fill the need for a park in this neighborhood. Acquisition of the school site (at least in part) is listed as a near-term priority on page 93 of the Pathway. The city’s proposed use of the site is shown in the attached exhibit and described below: • The city intends to retain the northern portion of the property (approximately the northern third). There is no public park in the area, so the area would serve as a neighborhood park. • The estimated size of the city’s portion is approximately 2 acres in size. 4 ATTACHMENT 1 • Programming would likely include a playground, pavilion, and multi-use field, though the specific use and configuration is flexible. • The multi-use field may be used by the city’s athletics program for practice, but it would likely not be sized to accommodate games. • In addition to the park area, the city intends to retain access between the northern portion of the site and 41st Avenue along both the east and west sides of the parcel. This access to 41st Avenue would be important for visibility, access, and connectivity and would also create a buffer between any future redevelopment and the existing neighborhoods. Whether pedestrian and/or vehicular access is provided would be determined at site planning. • Parking for approximately 15 vehicles would be required for city use with vehicular access to be determined. C. Redevelopment/Reuse Opportunities – Wilmore Davis The remaining portion of the property available for redevelopment or reuse would be approximately 5 acres. The limits of the existing zoning are described below. • The property is currently zoned Residential-Two (R-2). • Permitted uses in R-2 are as follows: o Single-unit and duplex homes are permitted on lots that are at least 9,000 and 12,500 square feet respectively. o Public schools are permitted, but private schools are a special use. o Among non-residential uses, options are limited; private schools and childcare centers are allowed with a Special Use Permit. • Given the constraints of the city’s residential zone districts, some reuse proposals may require a zone change. For example, a rezoning would be required for smaller lot residential development or townhomes. • If residential redevelopment is proposed, the height and density caps in the city charter would apply. These include a limit of 21 dwelling units per acre and a limit of 35 feet in height for structures containing residential uses. • The city does not have a specific vision for the private use of the school site. Given the adjacent land uses, low- to moderate-density housing (market-rate or affordable) could be appropriate. A childcare center or similar use would be appropriate, particularly if the school building can be reused. Most commercial uses will not be appropriate, though neighborhood-serving uses may be considered depending on use, scope, scale, and impact. • If residential development is proposed, city ownership of the park portion may offset parkland dedication requirements/fees. • Any potential rezoning or redevelopment should be aligned with the city’s comprehensive plan which was adopted in September 2025 and is also described in Section 5 below. 5 ATTACHMENT 1 Section 4. ABOUT KULLERSTRAND A. Property and Zoning Information – Kullerstrand Kullerstrand is located within city limits on property owned by the school district. A profile of the property is provided below, and zoning and aerial maps are enclosed as supplementary documents. • Kullerstrand Elementary School is located at 12225 W 38th Ave. • The school is located in the western portion of Wheat Ridge. It sits on the north side of 38th Avenue which serves as a minor arterial. • The majority of the property (southern two-thirds) is zoned Residential-One (R-1) with the northern portion of the field zoned Agricultural-Two (A-2). • Based on Jefferson County Assessor records, the total size of the site is approximately 10.718 acres, and the school building is listed at 34,934 square feet in size. Assessor records indicate the school was built in 1961. • The surrounding area is predominantly residential. To the east and west are residential neighborhoods comprised of single-unit homes. The same land use pattern exists on the south side of 38th Avenue, with the exception of the Glory of God Lutheran Church directly to the south. Residential lot sizes in the area generally range from ¼-acre to over an acre in size. • Immediately to the north of the school property is the Clear Creek Greenbelt which is owned by the city. Currently, there is no direct access to the paved Clear Creek trail because of a steep slope. • RTD has a bus route on 38th Avenue providing transit service to the area. The nearest rail station is RTD’s Wheat Ridge · Ward station, located 2.3 miles to the north. • The site is a quarter-mile east of Youngfield Street providing access to I-70 as well as the Applewood Village Shopping Center and Clear Creek Crossing. • The city is currently in the design phase for improving West 38th Avenue between Kipling and Youngfield. This design will include bike lanes in both directions along with continuous sidewalks on both sides of W. 38th Ave. • The site is served by several special districts which are separate and distinct from the city: West Metro Fire Protection District, Consolidated Mutual Water District, and Westridge Sanitation District. • [Insert conditions summary of school building here if provided by the district.] B. City Use – Kullerstrand The city has an intergovernmental agreement with the school district that allows for joint use of school properties, and the city is seeking to maintain long-term ownership and use of the majority of the Kullerstrand property. The city’s desired future use of the property is described below and is based on current use agreements and recommendations from the Pathway. The Trust for Public Land’s ParkServe program shows where residents are within a 10-minute walk to a park. Kullerstrand sits in a 6 ATTACHMENT 1 “Moderate” priority area where residents near the current school site do not currently have access to a traditional park site. Preserving the grounds at Kullerstrand as a public park would fill the need for a park in this neighborhood. Acquisition of the school site is listed as a near-term priority on page 93 of the Pathway. The city’s proposed use of the site is shown in the attached exhibit and described below: • The city intends to retain the majority of the site (approximately 7 acres) to serve as a neighborhood park, playground, and athletic fields consistent with current use. • The recent Kullerstrand playground replacement was paid for by a grant obtained by the city, and public access must remain in place. In early 2020, the city was awarded $110,000 through Great Outdoors Colorado's (GOCO) Schoolyard Initiative for the playground replacement. Agreements were executed with GOCO and the school district which require the school district to operate, manage, and maintain the playground for its useful life, identified as 20 years. Additionally, the agreements state that the school district shall provide and maintain public access to the playground and the property, regardless of the property's ownership. • The pavilion was added by the school district separately from the GOCO grant and is not required to be retained. • Through an intergovernmental agreement between the city and Jeffco Schools, Kullerstrand’s two soccer fields are heavily utilized 26 weeks out of the year by the city's youth soccer program, and by the Colorado Avalanche competitive soccer program (scheduled through the Parks & Recreation Department). The city’s intent is to retain this programming and to reconfigure the site to accommodate flexible combinations of soccer fields, such as two smaller 7v7 fields and a larger 9v9 field. • Parking for up to 60 vehicles will be required for city use with lower demand on weekday evenings and higher demand on weekends for soccer games. Parking, access configuration, and potential for shared parking to be determined at site planning. • The city’s guiding documents, including the City Plan and Open Space Management Plan, specifically calling for a connection between the Kullerstrand property and Clear Creek open space to the north (OSMP pages 49 and 142). The final site configuration will need to accommodate a multi-use trail connection connecting 38th Avenue to the Clear Creek Greenbelt. C. Redevelopment/Reuse Opportunities – Kullerstrand The city’s proposed recreational uses and the site’s current zoning present limiting factors for redevelopment, but some opportunities remain. • The property is currently zoned Residential-One (R-1). • Permitted uses are as follows: o Single-unit homes on lots that are at least 12,500 square feet in size. o Public schools are permitted, but private schools are a special use. 7 ATTACHMENT 1 o Among non-residential uses, options are limited; private schools and childcare centers are allowed with a Special Use Permit. • Given the constraints of the city’s residential zone districts, some reuse proposals may require a zone change. For example, a rezoning would be required for smaller- lot residential development. • If residential redevelopment is proposed, the height and density caps in the city charter would apply. These include a limit of 21 dwelling units per acre and a limit of 35 feet in height for structures containing residential uses. • The city does not have a specific vision for the private use of the school site. A childcare center or similar use would be appropriate, particularly if the school building can be reused. If the school was demolished it may be possible to accommodate a smaller-scale residential development along 38th Avenue with parking and park use behind. • If residential development is proposed, city ownership of the park portion may offset parkland dedication requirements/fees. • Any potential rezoning or redevelopment should be aligned with the city’s comprehensive plan which was adopted in September 2025 and is also described in Section 5 below. Section 5. CITY PLAN The City of Wheat Ridge recently updated its comprehensive plan, formally adopting the City Plan in September 2025. The plan provides a long-term framework for land use, infrastructure, housing, neighborhood character, and redevelopment decisions across the city. For the two former school campuses, the City Plan offers guidance relevant to reuse, redevelopment, and community compatibility. Below are key excerpts and how they apply. The City Plan articulates four desired outcomes under “Our Character and Development Vision” (page 66): • Evolution of Our Places – Incremental change that is carefully curated so we can evolve while maintaining our character of distinct areas with their own look and feel. • Peaceful Coexistence – Ensuring that new development peacefully coexists with existing neighborhoods. • Improved Connectivity and Access – Emphasizing safe pedestrian and bicycle networks, and better linkages between neighborhoods, amenities and open space. • Making Great Places – Focusing on the quality of public realm, building edge to curb, and enhancing the user experience of places. Both of the school properties sit within established residential neighborhoods where the land use is predominantly lower density. The City Plan’s emphasis on incremental change, compatibility with adjacent neighborhoods, preservation of character, and enhancing open space or connectivity strongly suggests that any redevelopment of the school sites should: 8 ATTACHMENT 1 • Respect the scale, massing and transitions of the surrounding neighborhoods, and avoid abrupt or high-density forms that would interrupt “peaceful coexistence.” • Incorporate quality public realm design, open space, connectivity (e.g., links to trails, sidewalks, bike infrastructure) and strong “place-making” elements consistent with the “Making Great Places” outcome. • Prioritize thoughtful changes rather than wholesale transformation, consistent with the “Evolution of Our Places” outcome. The City Plan recognizes the school properties as “special cases” (page 99) because of the unique challenge of redeveloping a vacant institutional use in a residential area. All proposals will need to align with the desired outcomes articulated in the City Plan. Section 6. CITY AND SCHOOL ROLES A. City Role in the Project The city is seeking to partner with the selected respondent(s) to submit a proposal to Jeffco Public Schools for each property through their Municipal Interest Process. The city’s preference is to ultimately subdivide the sites such that the city owns and maintains the parks and outdoor recreational portions, though creative arrangements may be proposed. If residential development is proposed, city ownership of the park portion may offset parkland dedication requirements/fees. Shared or delineated parking may be required, so that park users have access to adequate parking along with the needs of the proposed private development. As described above, the city intends to own, maintain, and improve the parkland area for the long term, which may add value to any adjacent private development. City ownership of the park portion may offset applicable residential parkland dedication requirements. Because the city’s contribution to each site will be through long-term public investment in the parkland, the city will not be able to provide additional financial subsidy to private development. Neither property is within an urban renewal area, so the properties are not eligible for tax increment financing (TIF). For grant applications, the city is willing to be a joint or lead applicant, where appropriate or necessary. B. School District Role in the Project Jefferson County Public Schools owns both properties and is responsible for declaring the properties surplus and approving any proposed reuse and disposition. The school district is expected to consider a bulk disposition of vacant school properties in early 2026. If the subject properties are declared surplus, the district’s Municipal Interest 9 ATTACHMENT 1 Process will apply. Under that process, the City of Wheat Ridge may submit a proposed reuse concept for board consideration prior to the properties being marketed for sale. The city has met with school district staff regarding this RFI approach, and district staff are supportive of the city pursuing a partner-led concept through this process. Final decisions regarding surplus, reuse approval, price and sale rest with the Jefferson County Public Schools Board of Education. Section 7. STATEMENT OF INTEREST Submittals may be provided for one or both schools, and submittals may propose redevelopment or reuse. The submittal must include the following sections and content: Introduction • Cover letter briefly stating the specific reasons for the respondent’s interest in pursuing the project. Development Proposal Note: If multiple proposals are presented, separate proposal sections shall be provided for each school and/or for each redevelopment or reuse scenario. • Description of the proposed project. • Brief description of the entity or entities who would acquire, develop, or occupy the property. • For reuse, description of the proposed interior use(s) of the building and the proposed use immediately surrounding the building. • Description of the proposed site improvements. • Description of how the proposal will address the City Plan goal of peaceful coexistence with surrounding neighborhoods. • Description of how the proposal will relate to the city’s desired parks and recreation uses. • Estimated duration for completion of the redevelopment project. • A discussion of the market viability of the proposed use. Financing • Summary of the financial sources for purchase/redevelopment of the building and site. A clear understanding of the costs associated with the project must be demonstrated. Include the names of any equity partners or other parties involved in the purchase/redevelopment of the property and any supporting documentation that would further demonstrate the commitment of those sources. • Outline any grant funds or foundation/non-project organizations you would solicit for funding. • Outline any funding or other concessions requested of the city or school district. 10 ATTACHMENT 1 About the Respondent • Project lead and team description, if applicable. • A description of any participating investors/developers, including qualifications of each. • Experience with similar projects or public/private partnerships that demonstrate the viability of the proposal and your ability to successfully complete this type of project. • Name, address, phone number and email of respondent. • At least three references. Section 8. SELECTION PROCESS A. Evaluation Process The intent of this RFI step is to identify qualified parties interested in implementing the vision and concepts outlined in this RFI. The selection of a qualified developer/partner will be based generally upon their credentials, relevant experience with similar projects, the financial capacity to implement such a project and the timeline for project completion. City staff will manage the review and selection process, though the review committee will include representation from Jefferson County Public Schools. The city reserves the right to request clarification or additional information from individual respondents and to request some or all respondents to make presentations. The city reserves the right to extend or reopen the submittal window. B. Evaluation Considerations Proposals will be evaluated on the following considerations. This is not an exhaustive list, but a general indication of the main benefits desired from this project. • The extent to which the proposed development aligns with the City Plan and Parks and Recreation Pathway • The extent to which the proposed development is compatible with the city’s desired parks and recreation uses • The extent to which the proposed development is compatible with the surrounding area • Timeframe proposed to reach closing • Timeframe proposed to reach final redevelopment of the property • Demonstrated marketability of the proposed use, particularly if the use is speculative • Specificity and certainty of funding sources and overall project financing plan • Financial resources and stability of entities providing funding for the redevelopment • Amount of assistance requested from the city or school district • Stability and tenure of proposed final owner/occupant(s) 11 ATTACHMENT 1 • Qualifications and experience of project team in executing similar projects • References C. Key Dates The city intends to begin reviewing submittals approximately 45 days after the RFI is issued but may continue to accept and evaluate responses beyond that date. The city reserves the right to proceed with one or more respondents at any time following the initial review. • RFI issued: [specific date to be added - second half of February 2026] • Site and building tours by request • Initial review of submittals: [date to be added - approximately 45 days after issuance] • Ongoing review: Submittals will continue to be accepted and reviewed until a preferred respondent or respondents are identified • Shortlist and interviews: Conducted on a rolling basis following the initial review period Section 9. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION A. Documents The following documents are included for review to use in the preparation of your submittal: • Zoning Map • Aerial Map • Diagram of City Current and Future Uses • Link to City Plan • Link to Pathway For proposals which consider reuse of the school buildings, additional documentation about each school may be provided by request by the school district. Please contact: [TBD by school district] B. About Wheat Ridge The City of Wheat Ridge is an inner-ring suburb west of Denver with a population of approximately 32,000. Wheat Ridge provides a small community feel with easy access to Denver, the foothills, the mountains, Interstate 70, Denver International Airport, and transit. Wheat Ridge historically produced wheat and a variety of fruits and vegetables to serve the Denver region. Eventually the establishment of greenhouses led the city to become the largest producer of carnations in the world. The “Carnation City” grew as a bedroom community for Denver workers in the 1950s with commercial development occurring along 12 ATTACHMENT 1 the main roadways extending from Denver, as part of unincorporated Jefferson County. Wheat Ridge incorporated in 1969 due to annexation pressures from surrounding jurisdictions. The city retains some of its agricultural roots today with pockets of agricultural uses and extensive open space. The city has made focused efforts to invest in infrastructure, diversify its housing stock, attract and retain businesses, and engage residents. These efforts have been successful with the revitalization of 38th Avenue into a main street and community gathering spot, the development of Clear Creek Crossing, the rezoning of the former hospital campus, and transit-oriented infrastructure and development at the northwest corner of the city. Wheat Ridge voters have supported two infrastructure bond initiatives in the last decade and are proud of the unique character of the community. 13 ATTACHMENT 1 Section 10. EXHIBITS 14 ATTACHMENT 1 15 ATTACHMENT 1 Proposed Parks and Recreation Uses at Wilmore Davis 16 ATTACHMENT 1 17 ATTACHMENT 1 18 ATTACHMENT 1 Proposed Parks and Recreation Uses at Kullerstrand