At the northeast corner of Depew Street and 20th Avenue in Edgewater sits vacant retail stores and a deteriorating parking lot. Since King Soopers moved to its present location on Sheridan Boulevard, the main retail center has sat vacant. Since then there have been numerous proposals and plans for the property (read more of the history here). The City of Edgewater is working with a developer on plans for new retail to be developed on the property but it seems like progress on these plans are slow in developing.

What if the City of Edgewater led the way in using this property for affordable housing instead of big box retail?

Based on data from Zillow, Edgewater is short on affordable homes and rentals. Since 2013, the median home price in the 80214 zip code, which Edgewater sits within, has risen by $100,000.

Median Home Value in 80214 from Zillow

Since November of 2010, the median multi family rental rate has risen from $843 to $1,308 in November of 2015.

Median Multi Family Rental Rate in 80214 from Zillow

With affordable housing options in Edgewater becoming nonexistent, it is time for the community to decide what they would like to see at 20th and Depew. Is it best to add more suburban style retail with big box stores and big parking lots? Or do we truly want to innovative and use the space to create affordable housing? What if the property had spaces for small businesses on the ground floor and affordable housing on the second and third floors?

Housing where Target Retail employees could live.

Housing where seniors could live and walk to King Soopers for their groceries.

Housing where Edgewater Elementary families could live.

Housing where Jefferson Junior/Senior teachers could live.

What if Edgewater became the model for proactive thinking around affordable housing?

Below is a video which demonstrates the need for affordable workforce housing and how private/public partnerships can make affordable housing a reality.