Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announces the land swap deal for Park Hill Golf Course in January 2025. (BusinessDen file)
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is looking to compile a list of organizations willing to build income-restricted housing on city land, although his administration isn’t ready to discuss specific sites that could be developed.
Denver’s Department of Housing Stability, known as HOST, on Friday released a request for proposals to identify and prequalify a group of developers that, down the road, will participate in “mini-bid” opportunities to build on individual sites.
HOST said it is identifying available properties, which will vary in size. They could be either ground leased or sold to the developers, with covenants to ensure the units remain income-restricted.
The department said it specifically is interested in three types of projects:
• Projects with units reserved for those making up to 60% of the area median income, or AMI
• Projects considered mixed or middle income, with units for those making 60%-120% AMI
• Mixed-use projects, in which housing is combined with other components, like public facilities or retail space
Respondents can be either nonprofit or for-profit organizations. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. June 10. HOST expects to let organizations know they’ve made the list by late June.
Johnston made the need for affordable housing a major part of his mayoral campaign, and the city said the request for proposals aligns with that goal.
Johnston, who took office in July 2023, has announced two big land deals this year — both still pending — but neither involves housing.
In January, he said Denver would swap land near Denver International Airport for the former Park Hill Golf Course and make the 155-acre site along Colorado Boulevard a city park. The deal has yet to close. The course’s current owner, Glendale-based Westside Investment Partners, had hoped to build housing on part of the site.
And in March, Johnston announced that he wants Denver to acquire land at Interstate 25 and Santa Fe Drive so that a privately owned stadium serving a new women’s soccer team can be built. The deal, which still needs City Council approval, would see Denver contribute $70 million in taxpayer dollars.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announces the land swap deal for Park Hill Golf Course in January 2025. (BusinessDen file)
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is looking to compile a list of organizations willing to build income-restricted housing on city land, although his administration isn’t ready to discuss specific sites that could be developed.
Denver’s Department of Housing Stability, known as HOST, on Friday released a request for proposals to identify and prequalify a group of developers that, down the road, will participate in “mini-bid” opportunities to build on individual sites.
HOST said it is identifying available properties, which will vary in size. They could be either ground leased or sold to the developers, with covenants to ensure the units remain income-restricted.
The department said it specifically is interested in three types of projects:
• Projects with units reserved for those making up to 60% of the area median income, or AMI
• Projects considered mixed or middle income, with units for those making 60%-120% AMI
• Mixed-use projects, in which housing is combined with other components, like public facilities or retail space
Respondents can be either nonprofit or for-profit organizations. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. June 10. HOST expects to let organizations know they’ve made the list by late June.
Johnston made the need for affordable housing a major part of his mayoral campaign, and the city said the request for proposals aligns with that goal.
Johnston, who took office in July 2023, has announced two big land deals this year — both still pending — but neither involves housing.
In January, he said Denver would swap land near Denver International Airport for the former Park Hill Golf Course and make the 155-acre site along Colorado Boulevard a city park. The deal has yet to close. The course’s current owner, Glendale-based Westside Investment Partners, had hoped to build housing on part of the site.
And in March, Johnston announced that he wants Denver to acquire land at Interstate 25 and Santa Fe Drive so that a privately owned stadium serving a new women’s soccer team can be built. The deal, which still needs City Council approval, would see Denver contribute $70 million in taxpayer dollars.
