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Arapahoe County leans toward land‑banking Englewood public‑health site for housing; asks staff to study options
Summary
County staff presented options to dispose, transfer, or retain the Englewood Public Health building (built 1950, ~ $3.6M deferred maintenance). Commissioners signaled a preference to retain and pursue housing/mixed‑use with community engagement and feasibility studies; staff will pursue environmental review, funding options, and partner discussions with the City of Englewood.
County staff presented the Englewood Public Health building and alternatives for its future now that public health operations are moving to Arapahoe Plaza East. Ken Morris (facilities) described the site as two parcels spanning Broadway to Acoma with extensive deferred maintenance (about $3.6 million) and a facility‑condition score near the bottom of the county portfolio. The property was valued by a broker opinion at just under $3 million in 2024, the majority of value attributable to land.
Staff laid out three high‑level options: (a) list the property for public sale and use proceeds for other county priorities; (b) pursue a transfer or partnership with the City of Englewood for a public use such as a library; or (c) retain the land (land bank or deed restriction) and explore housing options — affordable (80% AMI), mixed‑income, or transitional/supportive models with ground‑floor community uses.
Commissioners noted the building’s tri‑level construction, lack of an elevator, and ADA limitations, and several said demolition and rebuilding is likely more economical than full rehab. Commissioner Baker observed the lot value and suggested disposition should consider community needs. Commissioner Rhonda Fields emphasized protecting victims' and seniors' interests and urged careful upstream planning for housing and services; several commissioners asked staff to coordinate with Englewood and local housing authorities for charrettes and feasibility studies.
The board indicated a positive leaning toward option C — retaining the parcel for county priorities and exploring housing and mixed‑use redevelopment — and instructed staff to: conduct a comprehensive feasibility and environmental review (Phase I, and Phase II if indicated), do community engagement with the City of Englewood and stakeholders, identify funding opportunities (state/federal grants, Housing Colorado), and return with a recommended path forward. Staff estimated a realistic timeline of 18–24 months before any ground‑breaking if the board pursues development.
Next steps: staff will scope the feasibility study and community engagement (charrettes), run environmental reviews, model costs and funding scenarios, and return to the board with more specific recommendations and potential partnership terms.
