I had been wanting to meet with Chris Elliott for a while and was so grateful when Kim Calomino made the introduction. I started sending out feelers into the community about what specific questions people had of the developer that would shape the 110 acres left behind by Intermountain Health, otherwise known as Lutheran Hospital.
Elliott showed up right on time. We were meeting at the unofficial town center; Clancy’s Irish Pub on Wheat Ridge’s Main Street, 38th Avenue. It was a perfect location to show off our community, and for me, it was to eat the best beef stew ever made.
I started my questions with a simple “Why this project in this place?” Elliott was quick to point out that this opportunity was a unicorn. His mom worked there for 20 years, his life and environment always had Lutheran interlined with his personal history. It just made sense.
I dove into the number one concern I had heard from readers–the traffic effect on the neighborhood. Contrary to city council’s promise, the traffic study had not been completed. There was an analysis done, but not a final study of how the development traffic would affect 38th and 32nd avenues. Elliott shares that a study is being worked on by a third party but paid for by his company, E5X. They are diving into not only car traffic but bicycles and pedestrians. In fact, bicycle protected lanes will be throughout the development. He promises me that between the staffing, patients and constant visitor traffic, he expects the new legacy development will only have half the traffic that the community experienced when Lutheran was in full working order.
Answering my question on the timeline of the development, Elliott shared that he expected the ground breaking celebration to happen sometime this fall and the first home to be delivered would be in 2027.
Another question I received from readers was about the number of builders. They expect to contract with 4 to 6 builders, including the usual large builders such as KB Homes etc., but also a couple of independent smaller custom home builders. Prices would start between 400K to 600K. The senior rental units would be geared toward tenants at 60 to 80% AMI (earning at 80% of medium income). There’s a real push to help seniors, nurses, firefighters, teachers etc. to be able to afford to buy in the community where they work. Something Lutheran Intermountain President Andrea Burch had been pushing for. “It’s key for local staffing to be able to live here. Otherwise they move away and look for a new job elsewhere.”
Elliott talked about 1300 new homes being built (detached, paired, condos, townhomes, etc.) but we know that the campus is actually zoned for 2100 homes. Julie asks “What prevents them from getting the land and turning around and selling to someone else?” Fair question, Elliott answers, “A new owner would trigger new public meetings, a new plan to be submitted and a whole new process.”
My next question came from a Dudley resident about work hours, noise and dust. Town rules dictate 7am to 7pm for work hours. But Elliott insists that every contract with every home builder will include a requirement for the builder to meet with every neighboring community across the street and explain the process, keeping the noise down and the dust to a minimum.
The subject of the blue house comes up and Elliott reminds me that this blue house has been moved to several locations on this large lot but acknowledges that the zoning dictates that the blue house will remain where it is now. He’s not sure what will be done to it but keeps talking about finding someone that will turn it into a tea room that everyone can come and enjoy.
At some point he turns to me and very seriously tells me that he’s been successful in all of his projects and can simply walk away and retire on a beach or somewhere he loves. This particular project has an emotional attachment to him and just about every person he encounters. We joke about the 6 degrees of separation but he shares that he can only take away one thing with him when it’s done… his reputation. What people will say about him. I kind of feel the same way.
It’s past our meeting time but I sneak in my usual 2 “fun” questions: What’s your favorite sandwich? His, French dip (for me egg salad sandwich) and what 3 movies would take to a deserted island? He goes straight for Field of Dreams, Shawshank Redemption and Bull Durham.
We shake hands and promise to stay in touch and keep updating the community.
If you have questions for my next meeting with Chris Elliott, please feel free to send it to WRgazette@gmail.com.
