Council approves land buy, lease and loan package to build Denver library and affordable housing at 4965 N. Washington

Denver City Council voted in a block Monday to adopt a set of resolutions advancing the 4965 North Washington project in Council District 9: loan and contract commitments for affordable housing, a purchase agreement for a Denver Public Library unit, and a ground lease supporting the development of deed‑restricted apartments and community serving space.

Councilmember Lewis and others framed the package as a coordinated effort to deliver a new branch library, neighborhood‑serving retail, community meeting space and deed‑restricted affordable housing at one site. The package includes a purchase and sale agreement for a unit to house a Denver Public Library branch, a land lease between the city and Global Redevelopment Partners (to be assigned to the project owner at financial closing), and an agreement to provide project‑based vouchers and a loan to support income‑restricted units and permanent supportive housing. Council’s action also confirmed commitments to preserve Volunteers of America facilities on‑site and to include provisions for an affordable business incubator and a publicly accessible plaza.

Council approved the block vote by voice/roll call after Councilmember Gilmore disclosed a family conflict and abstained from 1 resolution. The roll call on the block of resolutions (0702, 1110, 1224, 1225) was 12 ayes, 1 abstention (Gilmore) and the items were adopted.

Tracy Huggins, executive director of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, briefed council. She told members the original plan included a larger residential component that became financially infeasible under changing market conditions; the developer revised the project to focus on adaptive reuse, grocery‑anchored retail and office space as an initial phase, with residential development planned for a future phase when market conditions permit. The authority reduced the prior tax‑increment commitment accordingly and will continue payments to other taxing entities per previously negotiated agreements, including a schedule of payments to Denver Public Schools tied to the long‑term delivery of residential units.

Councilmembers praised the collaborative neighborhood outreach, Volunteers of America’s continuing presence and the project’s mix of civic space, retail and affordable housing. Councilmember Watson noted that she would be the legislative sponsor and lauded the inclusive design and RISE bond funding to improve surrounding streets and sidewalks.

Council adopted the resolutions as a block (roll call: 12 ayes; Gilmore abstained). Staff said they would return with final documents at financial closing and with implementation milestones for the affordable housing and library components.