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Commissioners weigh selling former Barn Store parcel at Parker and Iliff; several members urge more study
Summary
Public Works proposed selling a small county parcel (approx. 0.42 acres) acquired for right‑of‑way, estimating $500,000–$600,000 in proceeds and recommending funds be returned to transportation projects; several commissioners urged further study and community outreach rather than an immediate sale.
Arapahoe County public works staff briefed the Board on a proposal to sell a county‑owned parcel at Parker and Iliff (the former Barn Store site) that was purchased during right‑of‑way acquisition for a prior road project.
Jim Contreras said the parcel was acquired when the county purchased the right‑of‑way for the I‑Lift project and the county subsequently retained a small remnant parcel. "We think the proceeds will be around half a million to $600,000," he said, and suggested returning the money to fund 42 for transportation projects, though he left the final allocation decision open for board discussion.
Commissioners raised practical and policy questions. Commissioner Jeff Baker asked whether underground storage tanks had been removed and what money was originally used to buy the parcel; staff said the tanks had been removed and that the county paid $1.76 million for the parcel in 2021 as part of the larger acquisition. Several commissioners noted the parcel’s constrained access (right‑in/right‑out) and its small size (about 0.42 acres), which limit redevelopment options.
Commissioner Jessica Campbell urged that the issue be routed through the county’s EBC (budget committee) if the board decides to sell and allocate proceeds, and suggested involving Facilities and Fleet to develop options. Facilities staff said utilities are accessible but the site’s shape and access make county facility use challenging. Commissioner Rhonda Fields said she is strongly opposed to selling the site without deeper consideration, citing its location and community value: "Every time I drive by... I go, what can we do with that?" she said.
Public works recommended using a broker and soliciting offers without listing a set price to maximize return; adjacent property owners have expressed interest. Commissioners asked staff to engage community resources, evaluate potential county uses (including land‑banking or nonprofit acquisition), and return with more detailed analysis on market value, zoning (currently B5 regional commercial), and process for any recommendation to sell.
The Board did not vote to sell; direction to staff was to investigate further, coordinate with Facilities and Community Resources, and bring back options and recommendations to the commissioners for a future decision.
