On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the Central City Urban Renewal Authority (CCURA) met in the Council Chambers at City Hall at approximately 5 p.m. Roll call revealed all were present: Chair Jeremy Fey, Kara Tinucci, Jeff Aiken, Marcia Enloe, Todd Williams, April Nielsen, and Joe Stranaly. Staff present included City Manager Daniel R. Miera, City Attorney Marcus McAskin, and Community Development Director Lisa Roemhildt.

The group had not met since December 5, 2023.

Resolution 24-01: A Resolution Regarding Annual Administrative Matters For The City of Central Urban Renewal Authority (2024)

Miera explained that the resolution might look familiar from previous discussions concerning the sharing of resources. McCaskin said the resolution delegates authority to Miera to do “housekeeping” for CCURA. Without discussion, all were in favor.

Miera had sent out several Requests for Proposals in respect to development within Plan Area 1, which consists of 53 parcels, roughly 94 acres. The majority of the land is vacant, but there is also land within medium density residential, gaming, and limited commercial zones.

The “blighted” conditions, such as steep topography, can challenge the creation of infrastructure.

Miera said the RFPs have generated interest in the Plan Area, while the Authority could incentivize development. He added that the board must decide what fits within the URA and Comprehensive Plans.

CCURA posted the RFPs at City Hall and on their website, and mailed out notifications to residents in the area. Tax-increment financing is not yet available, but CCURA does have some seed money gifted by the City of Central.

The first proposal submitted was for the Gregory Gulch Gaming Resort, which would be on 7 acres between Lawrence and Gregory Streets. The proposal detailed the resort as having 600 rooms and 1,000 gaming devices, with a suite of services available to guests and locals alike.

Historic preservation is a key part of the Authority’s charter, and this proposal would accentuate cultural and historical assets within the subject area.

This proposal looks to combine both private and public properties. The potential cost will be $350 million to $600 million, with the project slated for 2029.

Nielsen asked how this large development would affect Central’s infrastructure, including sewage, water, and electricity. Miera said the area would require significant infrastructure upgrades.

The second proposal was for single-family homes in the Creek Lots. A key component of the proposal is affordability, creating workforce housing. Miera said this proposal would be a prime candidate for the Prop 123 funding.

Solution Builders proposes to build 80-90 modular homes averaging 1,000 square feet in area. The houses would be transported to Central after mostly being assembled in Denver.

Aiken said the design did not look like it would match Central City’s character. Miera said that affordable housing would necessarily have limited design or style changes. Williams asked if the units would be for sale or for rent, to which Miera responded that the group could go either way.

Proposal 3 identifies the Big T Lot as a location for a possible gaming resort, but the development group would have to acquire some of the private properties around it in order to make the project feasible.

There was discussion between CDPHE and the development group to build on Quartz Hill, which requires waste remediation from a mine.

The T Lot and its surrounding area is currently listed with a broker.

The fourth proposal concerned the Sayre Tract. The property owner, Open Windows Inc., is open to development ideas and working with CCURA.

In conclusion, Miera informed the Authority that they can go forward with any or all of the proposals; existing funding would not be mandatory.

Fey said they should pursue due diligence with all the proposals while asking themselves if these projects fit within the URA and the Comprehensive Plan.

The board agreed to go forward with all the proposals. McCaskin suggested forming a committee to evaluate the projects further.

The meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.

The next CCURA meeting will be held on April 2 at 5:30 p.m. preceding the City of Central City Council Meeting and will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall located at 141 Nevada Street, Central City, Colorado.