Arvada council votes to list 4905 West 60th Avenue for sale after months of debate

The Arvada City Council voted 7-0 Jan. 27 to list the property at 4905 West 60th Avenue for sale, a move city staff said will return funds to city fund balances and restart a community-driven conversation about the site’s future.

City staff introduced the item as a request for council direction on whether to offer the former Early College of Arvada (ECA) building for sale. “We understand that you all want to have discussion regarding the sale of the property of 4905 West 60th Avenue, and we are here to listen to any thoughts you may have, but receive direction from you as well,” Miss Haley told the council.

The vote followed months of debate between councilmembers and sustained neighborhood activism in Arlington Meadows. Council member Marriott said the city should set goals and strategic plans before acquiring property but that listing the building returns the decision to the market and land-use process: “I think taking this action of putting this building up for sale puts that stuff in the right place.”

Council members emphasized that selling the building is not intended to close the door on addressing homelessness. Mayor Pro Tem Morman said: “The decision tonight to sell this property is by no means an indication that we are giving up on finding a site for a navigation center, and I am committed to working on that with our regional partners, and to find the right location, to build a 24 emergency shelter that we so badly need.”

Council member Ambrose moved the action: “I would like to move that, the city of Arvada put up for sale the property located at 4905 West 60th Avenue.” After the motion, the mayor announced, “All votes are cast. That passes 7 to 0,” and directed staff to move forward with listing the building.

Public commenters representing Arlington Meadows and East Arvada framed the vote as a corrective step and urged continued transparency and neighborhood reinvestment. Karen Deoweto thanked the council for the decision and asked the city to “exercise equal care and deliberation in deciding whom the building is sold to, weigh all aspects of the potential buyers' plans, and ensure their vision aligns with the best interests of Arvada and its residents.” Veil Elish asked the council to provide a clear timeline and regular updates on next steps and community engagement. Several speakers requested that a portion of sale proceeds be directed to long-standing infrastructure and neighborhood needs in East Arvada.

Other public-commenters and councilmembers asked that future site selection for a navigation center prioritize access to transit and nearby services. In a later public comment, Bart (Dr.) Barbara Dre reminded council members the ECA property was proximate to transit and food services and urged that future site searches account for service access, county partnerships and speed: “when you go to choose your next location, that you consider not just the community, but the services available within the community's reach.”

City officials and councilmembers said staff will proceed with listing the property and continue community engagement in the coming months, with the council directing staff to report back as that process and any sale proposals develop.

Ending

Miss Haley confirmed the city team may proceed with listing the building and councilmembers said they will continue conversations with residents and regional partners about homelessness services and potential sites for a navigation center.