Littleton secures ULI technical advisory panel to study Northern Gateway and Geneva Village

City staff told the Planning Commission the city has been selected for an Urban Land Institute (ULI) technical advisory panel and received a grant to share costs with the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Staff said the TAP will bring national and regional experts together for two days of stakeholder interviews, analysis and a community presentation; the panel will return a formal report expected in July.

Deputy City Manager Kathleen Osher described the TAP as an early, creative brainstorming exercise rather than a decision‑making process. Osher said the panel will test short‑, medium‑ and long‑term options and provide recommendations that staff and elected officials can consider as they balance historic preservation, housing, transportation and stewardship of city‑owned land.

Julie Lakeham, housing policy analyst, summarized Geneva Village history: the International Geneva Association acquired the land in 1927 and constructed the Geneva Lodge; 28 Eugene Sternberg‑designed apartments were added in 1964. The city purchased the overall property in 1975. Lakeham said the Geneva Village apartments are eligible for historic designation but are not currently designated; the lodge itself is designated.

Lakeham and Osher reviewed council actions: in February 2022 the council asked staff to explore options for the site, balancing resident needs, rehabilitation costs, historic character and the city’s stewardship responsibilities. Council subsequently directed staff to pursue redevelopment options; staff has worked to relocate residents and said the last resident is expected to move out this month.

Staff presented the TAP study area split into three tiers: tier 1 (the Geneva Village apartments), tier 2 (other city‑owned parcels including the lodge, city center, park and lake) and tier 3 (adjacent privately owned parcels that influence the site). TAP activities on May 21 will include five stakeholder groups of roughly 45‑minute interviews; that evening the panel will meet with council and the next day will prepare recommendations and present to the community on May 22. Staff requested planning commission volunteers for the stakeholder sessions; commissioners volunteered and staff will finalize assignments and time slots.

Staff emphasized the TAP is advisory and nonbinding. Osher said the TAP will “brainstorm about future possibilities” and that “it is not an opportunity for decisions to be made.” Lakeham said the TAP will help the city consider whether portions of the property should be preserved or redeveloped.

Commissioners asked technical questions about plat lines, the lake and floodplain, right‑of‑way for Prince Street improvements under the Project Downtown concept, and how the city might reallocate parcels between park and redevelopment areas. Staff said some plat cleanup and boundary adjustments are likely and that owning the land makes public improvements (sidewalks, walkways) administratively simpler than acquiring private property. Commissioners also asked about funding for Project Downtown; staff said council is weighing options — pay‑as‑you‑go, saving, or borrowing — and noted a DDA annual revenue figure discussed at about $360,000 per year, which staff said would be limited for large infrastructure debt service.

Timeline and next steps: TAP stakeholder interviews are scheduled May 21 (45‑minute slots between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.), community presentation on May 22 at 5 p.m.; staff expects a formal TAP report in July and will return to the board to discuss findings.