Architects recommend reusing historic wings of Lutheran campus for new Wheat Ridge City Hall and police facility; council agrees to advance review

Anderson Hallis Architects presented a draft feasibility study proposing reuse of the original 1921 and 1932 portions of the former Lutheran Medical Campus as a co-located Wheat Ridge City Hall and police facility. Rebecca Silva of Anderson Hallis described a preferred alternative that would restore and reclad historic portions, add a new courtyard and a new-build police wing behind the historic pavilion, and incorporate a below-grade structured parking area with a secure sally port for police vehicle access.

Silva said the approach seeks to preserve elements of the campusincluding the chapel and the "blue house"while improving the site's thermal envelope and daylighting by removing later additions and constructing a reimagined central pavilion. The firm estimated a planning-stage order-of-magnitude construction cost just under $82 million, which included contingencies and escalation to a projected 2027 construction start. The study team estimated schematic through construction documentation and construction would take about 21/2 to 3 years.

Anderson Hallis noted program adjacencies that favor placing large public spaces (for example the council chamber and assembly spaces) on the first floor to take advantage of existing historic floor-to-floor heights, with administrative offices above and secure police areas placed in the new wing and partial basement. The proposal included potential sustainable elements such as a geothermal well field under new public open space and opportunities to salvage and reuse bricks and other material to reduce embodied carbon.

Councilors asked about staff buy-in, police needs, phasing and the possible library integration. Silva and staff said departmental leaders had been interviewed and that the police department's space and secure-parking needs are a driver for the project; the team proposed a separate secure police entrance and subgrade access for vehicles. Councilors also discussed timing for community engagement. Councilor Holten said the council should pause community outreach until the options are clearer, while others asked the city to launch an engagement strategy once a preferred concept is refined. The mayor stated council consensus to advance the design-development work, commission further cost refinement, study funding and partnerships and to approach community engagement thoughtfully rather than immediately.

No formal vote was recorded during the study session; staff will return with refined cost estimates, funding options and additional public-engagement plans if council confirms the direction.