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Council approves Schoenberg Farm development agreement, authorizes URA funds for historic rehabilitation
Summary
City council and the Westminster Economic Development Authority approved agreements to sell and activate Schoenberg Farm for a mixed‑use food hall and entertainment venue; the developer will use South Sheridan URA funds to mitigate blight and will submit construction documents for a 2025 build schedule.
Westminster City Council approved a development package for Schoenberg Farm at 5202 West 73rd Avenue on May 19, 2025, authorizing appropriation of Westminster Economic Development Authority funds to support the project’s preservation and redevelopment. The council also approved the companion Westminster Economic Development Authority resolutions later in the meeting.
Staff said the package relies on a portion of South Sheridan URA funds to mitigate blight and does not use general fund dollars. Heather Cronenberg, with the city manager’s office, told council the package “will complete the sale of the property and includes utilizing a portion of South Sheridan URA funds to mitigate blight which is the purpose of the funds and does not include using any city funds.” The developer representatives said they would preserve the historic structures, activate the barn as a food‑market hall, and pursue year‑round public programming.
MJ Development presented the design and timeline. Matt Lawrence and John (last name spelled in packet) described the team’s two‑year partnership with the city; architecture partner Woonam Collaborative outlined experience with adaptive reuse and food‑hall projects such as Denver Central Market. Architect Jim Pfeiffer said the project will combine historic preservation with hospitality uses and encouraged community input as tenant mixes and programming are finalized.
Council voted unanimously on a series of associated measures: Council Bill 14 (supplemental appropriation tied to the project) passed on first reading, Council Bill 15 (economic development agreement with MJ Development Ltd.) passed on first reading, and council adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign a repurchase and post‑closing agreement and a development and reimbursement agreement related to the project. On the Westminster Economic Development Authority side, the WEDA board adopted a supplemental appropriation resolution (Resolution 240) and a sale/development resolution (Resolution 241) contingent on council approvals.
Key details recorded in the council discussion and staff memo: - Funding: A portion of South Sheridan URA funds will be used to mitigate blight; the staff memo said the package “does not include using any city funds.” - Timeline: If approved, the development team planned to submit construction documents in summer 2025 and close by the fourth quarter of 2025, with construction to begin immediately after closing. - Uses: Programming described by the developer includes tenant spaces for local food and beverage businesses, event and community uses, and onsite workforce housing in carriage‑house units intended for staff.
Votes: All council motions on the Schoenberg package passed by voice/roll call with a 6‑0 vote. The WEDA board likewise adopted companion resolutions by the same vote.
What’s next: The developer will finalize construction documents and continue community outreach on programming and tenant selection. Staff and the developer said they will coordinate a community outreach process prior to project completion.
