Council directs staff to study 112th Avenue connector to Bison Ridge; floodplain, cost and multiple agencies cited as hurdles

Commerce City Council unanimously directed the city manager to identify and present development options for A 112th Avenue from East Chambers Road westward toward Bison Ridge Recreation Center and to return to council at its first regular meeting in November with design concepts, cost estimates, anticipated timeline and community engagement opportunities.

Mayor Steve Douglas introduced the motion and said staff asked him to bring the item forward so staff could gather the necessary information and discussions with multiple partner agencies. “These options should include potential design concepts, cost estimates, anticipated project timeline, community engagement opportunities in alignment with existing transportation and infrastructure plan,” the motion said and was seconded by Council member Teeter.

City Manager Jason Rogers and staff told council that the corridor crosses wetlands and riparian areas and would require coordination with multiple partners: Mile High Flood District (referred to in the meeting as the flood district), the Army Corps of Engineers for permitting through wetland areas, FEMA for mitigation/credits, and private property owners such as Oakwood Homes and other developers. Rogers described the scope as complex and at least partially sequential: “My high flood, Oakwood, full and wider, then having that conversation with Franco,” he said, listing agencies and property owners whose participation affects feasibility.

Staff also reported prior work: earlier design work and even a box culvert concept had been prepared when the project was previously discussed, but that effort stalled over design changes and objections from stakeholders. Council members noted residents’ long-standing interest in the connection as a northern-area relief route to Bison Ridge and raised concerns about the cost burden falling to local metro districts or residents.

Rogers gave an initial cost “floor” estimate of roughly $20 million when accounting for right-of-way dedication, FEMA wetland mitigation credits and construction. He warned the process could take multiple years, including Army Corps review, and that further design or feasibility work could add to the cost.

Council asked staff to return with an evaluation based on existing designs (and to update them, rather than starting from scratch), analysis of right-of-way and developer participation, likely permitting hurdles and an anticipated timeline. Council members Ford and others urged that the staff include an assessment of what it would take to make the road passable in the near term — a lower-cost approach to provide local access without full reconstruction — in addition to full-build options.

Why this matters: a 112th Avenue connector had been discussed in prior planning cycles and is seen by many north-area residents as a strategic link to reduce driving time to the recreation center and to relieve neighborhood circulation; the city must weigh substantial cost and environmental/permitting hurdles and whether to prioritize the corridor against other capital needs.

What happens next: staff will pursue conversations with partners, refine cost estimates, analyze right-of-way status, and return to council at the first regular meeting in November with options and a staff recommendation.

Ending: Council members repeatedly underscored that the November report should give sufficient detail for policymakers to decide whether to pursue funding and further design; no funding commitment was made during the July meeting.