City wins ULI technical advisory panel for Geneva Village; TAP to advise on Geneva Village and Northern Gateway options

Littleton city staff told the Planning Commission that the city has been selected for an Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) to examine Geneva Village and the Downtown Northern Gateway, and that the city received a grant to share TAP costs with the Denver Regional Council of Governments.

Deputy City Manager Kathleen Osher and Housing Policy Analyst Julie Lakeham briefed commissioners on the TAP scope and schedule. The two‑day TAP will convene stakeholder interviews on May 21 and hold a public presentation of findings on May 22 in council chambers. Staff requested volunteers from the Planning Commission to serve on five stakeholder interview groups; commissioners volunteered to provide representatives and alternates and staff said it would confirm 45‑minute interview slots between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on May 21. Staff expects a formal TAP report in July.

Staff summarized Geneva Village’s history and current status: the property comprises five parcels the city acquired in 1975; the Geneva Village apartments (28 units, designed by Eugene Sternberg and built in 1964) are eligible for historic designation while the Geneva Lodge is already designated; the city previously operated the property as housing through South Metro Housing Options and the Littleton Housing Authority until February 2019. City council in earlier deliberations directed staff to pursue redevelopment of the property while supporting resident relocation and preserving character where feasible.

Osher and Lakeham emphasized that the TAP is an expert brainstorming and advisory process — not a decision‑making body — that will generate short‑, medium‑ and long‑term options for the city to consider. Staff said the TAP will examine three tiers in the study area: (1) Geneva Village apartments, (2) other city‑owned parcels including the lodge, city center, park and lake, and (3) nearby privately owned parcels that influence the site.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about ownership, platting and whether the city might reconfigure parcel lines (for example to incorporate the lake into parkland) and whether existing floodplain or detention areas would affect redevelopment options. Staff said the TAP will consider connectivity, public‑realm improvements and conceptual options, and that any physical changes would later be refined through project design or regulatory review.

Staff also noted funding context: the city has used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a historic survey effort, and the TAP award includes grant support shared with the Denver Regional Council of Governments. The downtown Development Authority (DDA) was discussed as a partner in downtown work; staff said the DDA’s current annual budget is approximately $360,000 and its existing taxing structure would limit immediate debt capacity without a district vote.

Staff reported that residents of Geneva Village have been rehoused; the final resident is expected to move out shortly and staff said council allowed residential operations to continue while relocation assistance progressed. The TAP will gather input from historic‑preservation representatives, the downtown development authority, housing stakeholders, environmental/stewardship representatives and other boards and commissions.

The TAP will return advisory recommendations to the city; staff said the TAP’s output will inform but not determine next steps including any redevelopment or preservation decisions.