Wheat Ridge voters can help shape plans for former hospital property

Now that Lutheran Hospital has moved from its 100-acre campus in Wheat Ridge to the new Lutheran Medical Center at Interstate 70 and 40th Avenue, Wheat Ridge has a unique opportunity to develop the area and better serve the community.

On Tuesday, voters will decide whether to approve an amended charter to increase the height restriction from 50 feet to 70 feet in the campus center and lower it from 35 feet to 30 feet along the perimeter.

Wheat Ridge is one of the few Colorado cities that restricts building height. The city charter limits the maximum allowable density to 21 dwelling units per acre.

Wheat Ridge hopes its restrictions will encourage a potential developer to keep taller, high-density buildings in the center of the campus while building lower-density housing with open space and trails along the outer edges.

Michael Coleman, an agent with The Agency Denver, described the site as “a blank canvas with tons of potential.”

“It’s all about having a vision,” he said. “Given my experience in new construction, I see this space as prime for housing development, but ultimately, it’s up to the future buyer to make the most of it. Whoever takes it on is looking at a great opportunity.”

Wheat Ridge adopted the community-created Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan in 2021 to replace the more than 100-year-old hospital.

The city is working on new zoning rules for the property, which is zoned as a Planned Hospital District. That zoning allows hospitals, hospice care, and accessory uses associated with a medical campus.

Wheat Ridge’s proposed plan for the property emphasizes primarily low-density residential uses and buffer space along the edges with higher-density buildings in the center.

Doug Jennings, a RE/MAX Commercial Alliance associate, said many options exist to redevelop the property.

“With a footprint of almost 100 acres, there are several options to establish a highest and best use,” he said.

“Also, the fact that the campus was not fully developed as a hospital yields to a number of options for a combination of uses like retail, multifamily, and office (possibly still medical office to keep some of the established operations). This provides the area with a good opportunity for some entertainment and even employment opportunities.”

CBRE listed 70 acres of the hospital property in April. Intermountain Health, a nonprofit that runs 33 hospitals throughout the West, owns the property.

Wheat Ridge also hopes to work with the future owner to preserve and potentially adapt three historic buildings on the property:

• The Blue House, one of the first structures, was built in 1905 in an area where the hospital first used tents to treat tuberculosis patients.
• The 100-foot north tower building, an addition to the main hospital, was constructed in 2008.
• The 9,800-square-foot chapel was built in 1932.

The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.