Urban Land Conservancy has acquired the Thriftway property at 4401 Morrison Road in southwest Denver.
ULC will demolish the 6,000-square-foot abandoned building later this summer. The site will be host the car show at the Westwood neighborhood's annual Chili Fest on Sept. 13. The organization will work with
Westwood Unidos,
Healthy Places Westwood and other partners to develop longer-term plans for the site to benefit the community.
"ULC is excited to make such an impactful real estate investment in Westwood," says Aaron Miripol, the organization's President and CEO. "We look forward to working with the community to determine how this site can become a safe, active place for the neighborhood to enjoy."
ULC received funding from the
Denver Office of Economic Development to acquire the site, which has been the scene of violent crimes and drug activity since it was abandoned 15 years ago. In the past year, there has been a suicide, homicide and attempted kidnapping and rape on the property.
"This building has long been a symbol of the blight and neglect of this neighborhood," says Denver City Councilman Paul Lopez. "Through the work of our office, OED, ULC and residents, it will soon be the symbol of positive changes and redevelopment in Westwood."
Urban Land Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that uses real estate as a tool to benefit urban communities in metro Denver. It acquires, preserves and develops real estate, including affordable housing, nonprofit office space, community centers and schools.
Contact Confluence Denver Development News Editor Margaret Jackson with tips and leads for future stories at margaret@confluence-denver.com.
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