HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.09.26 Special Study Session NotesPage 1 of 3
NOTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
Hybrid Meeting
Monday, March 9, 2026
The special study session was held both in person and virtually in a hybrid
format at 7500 West 29th Avenue, Municipal Building, Council Chambers.
Councilmembers and City staff were present in the Council Chambers.
Members of the public were able to observe and participate either in
person or virtually.
CALL TO ORDER
The Special Study Session was called to order by Mayor Stites on March 9, 2026, at 8:11
PM. The Mayor announced that the purpose of the session was to consider two items: (1) Civic Center Design Process and (2) Civic Center Land Exchange Agreement. No
public comment was offered, and the Council proceeded with staff presentations.
ATTENDANCE:
Councilmembers present: Rachel Hultin, Dan Larson, Kathleen Martell, Scott Ohm, Mike
Okada, Patrick Quinn, Jenny Snell, and Susan Wood
Also Present: City Manager Patrick Goff, Deputy City Manager Marianne Schilling, City
Attorney Gerald Dahl, Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak, and Senior Deputy City Clerk Onorina Maloney.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS:
In person: None
Via Zoom:
None
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Wheat Ridge Speaks:
None
City Manager Goff introduced an update on the design process for a potential new Civic
Center at the Lutheran Legacy Campus, referencing prior Council direction in the Facilities Master Plan and the September 2024 contract with Anderson House
Architects to evaluate reuse of portions of the former hospital campus for City Hall and
Police facilities.
1. NEW CIVIC CENTER CAMPUS DESIGN PROCESS
Representatives of Anderson House Architects presented an overview of existing
campus conditions, prior master planning, space-needs programming, and conceptual design options, explaining the rationale for advancing a “courtyard” alternative that
would retain key historic portions of the former sanitarium, add new construction for City Hall and the Police Department, and provide a consolidated civic presence on W.
38th Avenue with secure, below-grade police parking.
The consultants reviewed a preliminary total project cost range (including hard and soft
costs and contingencies) based on conservative assumptions and a projected 2028 construction start and outlined anticipated next steps including expanded due diligence
on existing conditions, schematic design, and structured community engagement.
Councilmembers asked questions and offered comments regarding comparative costs and alternatives, site constraints at the existing City Hall campus, historic preservation,
police facility needs (including secure parking and an on-site range), utility and tap considerations, potential future library or “express library” options, energy and
sustainability concepts, and the process and timing for community outreach. Staff and
consultants responded and described how due-diligence and schematic-design phases
will further refine programming, systems, and cost estimates.
Consensus: By general consent, Council supported (1) continuation of design
development for the Lutheran Legacy Campus Civic Center concept, including further
due diligence and refinement of cost estimates; (2) preparation by staff of a
comprehensive financial strategy framework for a potential Civic Center project; and (3)
development of a structured public engagement plan regarding the proposed Civic Center, including its location, costs, benefits, and any potential ballot or referendum
considerations.
2. CIVIC CENTER LAND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
The City’s real estate consultant presented an overview of a proposed land-exchange
structure between the City and the Lutheran Legacy Campus owner to secure a site for
a future Civic Center and to coordinate demolition, utilities, access, and related matters,
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including the proposed parcel configuration, anticipated sequence of steps, and legal
mechanisms to protect the City’s interests prior to any final exchange.
City Attorney Dahl summarized key legal protections and closing preconditions built into the conceptual framework, including required approvals of plats and site plans,
financing, conditions relating to the existing Civic Center property, and recognition of potential referendum rights, emphasizing that the structure is intended to prevent either
party from becoming obligated before critical conditions are satisfied.
Councilmembers discussed the status and potential future use of the existing Civic Center property, implications for park and open space and Jefferson County Open
Space restrictions, utility and tap issues, timing of demolition and temporary protections for historic structures, and how the land exchange would interact with public process
and any future voter approval related to project financing or property disposition. Staff
and consultants responded, noting that the framework remains conceptual, further negotiation and legal review will occur, and any required public hearings or elections will
be conducted in accordance with law.
Consensus: By general consent, Council supported staff and the consulting team
continuing to refine the land-exchange framework and associated agreements, conduct additional due diligence, and prepare documents, with the understanding that any final
land-exchange agreement will return to Council for formal consideration at a future meeting.
Financing and Public Engagement – Informational Overview Advisors provided a high-level informational overview of potential financing tools for a
future Civic Center project, including possible combinations of sales tax, property tax (mill levy), use tax, existing revenue sources, grants, and other external funding or
partnership opportunities, and emphasized that any specific financing package would
require further analysis and that voter approval would be necessary for certain
tax-based options.
Council discussed generally how to communicate project costs, benefits, and trade-offs
to residents and how to structure community engagement so that the public has clear
information about the project, alternatives, and any ballot measures that might be
considered. Staff noted that detailed financial modeling and a public engagement plan
will be developed consistent with the consensus direction provided.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stites adjourned the March 9, 2026, Special Study Session, at 9:33 PM.
_____________________________________
Rachel Hultin, Mayor Pro Tem
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Onorina Z. Maloney, Senior Deputy City Clerk