Denver seeks proposals for at least 70 affordable homes at former state office
The city requires deed-restricted homes affordable to households earning no more than 80% of area median income, while favoring deeper affordability, family-sized units and community-serving ground-floor space.
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Denver is seeking proposals to redevelop the former Colorado Department of Labor and Employment building at 251 E. 12th Ave. into at least 70 deed-restricted homes affordable to households earning no more than 80% of area median income, staff said in an Oct. 6 presentation on the Vibrant Denver bond program.
The 70 homes are a minimum. The city prefers proposals with deeper affordability, family-sized units and community-serving ground-floor space, ideally including child care. Proposals must include plans for community outreach and sustainability features. The city will favor proposals that make fuller use of the site’s zoning capacity, which staff said could allow a building as tall as 12 stories.
The city prefers a privately financed project that does not require additional city gap funding, but proposals seeking city funds remain eligible if they offer the strongest bid, staff said. The solicitation sets a minimum and preferences; it is not an approved development plan and does not guarantee the final number or mix of homes.
The former state office building had been vacant for several years after Colorado downsized its office space, the city said when announcing its purchase. City Council approved the $4.525 million purchase in June, according to the Legistar record.