The Colorado Community College System is seeking to redevelop the Lowry Campus, a 145-acre property on the border of Denver and Aurora.
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On Thursday, CCCS launched the process to find a developer for the project.
The campus is divided between 28 acres in Denver and 117 acres in Aurora along the Quebec Street corridor. About 136 acres will become available for redevelopment by the end of 2028, when all CCCS uses will be relocated off-site or consolidated on the remaining nine acres.
The site includes 18 primary buildings totaling about 566,000 square feet, some of which could be suitable for adaptive reuse.
“The Colorado Community College System is excited for the next chapter of the Lowry property,” said CCCS Chancellor Marielena DeSanctis.
“This property is an incredible asset for the Aurora and Denver communities, and it will enrich the surrounding neighborhoods and wider metropolitan area. The State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education, which governs CCCS, has provided essential leadership and oversight throughout this process, and their commitment to responsible stewardship of this public asset has been instrumental in reaching this milestone.”
The site’s existing water, wastewater and stormwater systems date to the 1940s and will require an upgrade.
The developer will be responsible for infrastructure improvements, including utility connections and roadway reconstruction, the announcement said. Public financing tools, including Tax Increment Financing and metro districts, may help offset those costs.
CCCS issued a request for proposals through BidNet Direct on Thursday, with proposals due Nov. 16.
JLL is serving as real estate adviser to CCCS for the project.
“The Lowry Campus opportunity combines scale, location and market fundamentals that are increasingly rare in established urban markets,” said Karlen Beitman, senior vice president at JLL.
The area has experienced 28.1% population growth since 2010, according to the news release. The Lowry Campus is surrounded by residential neighborhoods, parks, mixed-use areas, major employment centers and public transit. It is also near the Fitzsimons Medical Campus and Stanley Marketplace.
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