Welcome to Uplands
Our Growing Affordability Crisis
Living in Colorado is a lot more expensive than it used to be. That’s especially true in Westminster, where some areas have seen housing prices rise by as much as 60% in the last five years.
As home prices surge to record levels and more people relocate to Colorado, members of our community are being priced out and forced to live farther and farther away. Rising prices and limited housing supply impact everyone, from the essential workers who power our economy to first-time homebuyers. Young families want to build equity, and seniors hope to age in place. And we have to tackle the critical housing challenge in a way that conserves water and reduces energy usage.
Honoring the Past
This land, which has been known alternatively as University Hill, College Hill, Rose Hill, Carnation Hill and Crown Point, was originally purchased in the 1890s as the future home of Westminster University, with plans that envisioned a thriving community of 6,000 homes, shops and businesses. Those plans were halted by World War I, and since the 1920s, the land has been privately owned, remaining largely inaccessible to the public.
City leaders and planners have long identified the site’s enormous potential to meet projected housing demand within the region, suggesting in 2013 that this area would be suitable for as many as 3,500 units and several commercial uses. In 2017, the city of Westminster commissioned a Housing Needs Assessment, which confirmed the urgent need to increase the diversity of housing for purchase and rental.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
THE PURCHASE
Henry T. Mayham purchased 640 acres of land on Crown Point and convinced the Denver Presbytery that the Westminster University should be built on this land.
WORLD WAR I
Less than 10 years after it opens, Westminster University closes its doors due to the demands of WWI. Once closed, the vacant building and surrounding acres were then leased to a farmer.
ON THE MARKET
The original owners, the Presbyterian Synod, sold the property, the college building, a power plant, a student dormitory and the president’s house in 1920. Later that year, the new owners reopened Westminster University.
HOUSING CRISIS
Both renters and owners lost purchasing power in Westminster – sales prices and rental costs increased faster than owner and renter incomes.
HOUSING NEEDS
The City of Westminster recognized its growing housing crisis and sponsored a Housing Needs Assessment study. The study concluded that the City of Westminster should increase diversity of housing for purchase and rental. From this the Westminster Forward Comprehensive Plan was created.
Housing for Future Generations
As city leaders and planners update the Westminster Forward Comprehensive Plan, they have explicitly identified this area as a transition area that could fulfill the “city’s overall vision and land use intent.”
Uplands doesn’t just meet the city’s standards for livability, affordability and sustainability — we go beyond. Uplands is a model of best practices in managed growth, resiliency, housing design and inclusivity.
We call Colorado home too, and we will draw upon our deep backgrounds in sustainability and building resilience to climate change to create the most beautiful, dynamic and diverse neighborhood in the Front Range.
Project Overview
Located at Westminster’s highest point, we’re opening up new opportunities in housing attainability and affordability. For the first time in more than a century, this private land can be used and enjoyed by the entire community as Uplands is developed.
We honor the site’s rich agricultural history by modeling best practices in sustainability, water conservation, land use and resiliency to continue to create an agrihood that keeps the community close to the land. And we honor the site’s location in the hearts of so many longtime residents by formally opening acres of land for public use.
It’s time to provide more housing to people who want to live in a sustainable, mixed-use community. With an emphasis on walkable neighborhoods, Uplands includes a thriving village center, single-family detached homes, paired homes and townhomes, and apartments. This distribution of housing types and retail also helps the city’s ability to recover from the pandemic and economic shutdown, especially through Upland’s greater investments in schools, parks, infrastructure, recreation and economic opportunity.
Uplands Community Collective
In collaboration with the Uplands Community Collective, a local nonprofit organization working with local schools, businesses, nonprofits and community members, Uplands is dedicated to creating a thriving, resilient local economy.
The Uplands Community Collective is designed to leverage the investment of Uplands to strengthen the local economy. A partnership with Westminster Public Schools and Colorado Home Building Academy will provide skills training and certification in construction trades to ensure local residents can be employed to build the Uplands houses and infrastructure. Other initiatives include community-led farming, food production and food business development.
Sustainability & Conservation
“Environmental concerns such as drought are Westminster’s biggest water challenge. The impacts of adding new customers to the City’s system are small in comparison to the effects that future droughts would have on the City’s water supply. For all water users, conservation measures remain the best way to protect our water supply long-term.”
– City of Westminster, May 2021
Created in 2008, the water budget for this project was put forward in the conditional allocation of this land. This was carried forward into the 2013 Comprehensive Plan and Water Supply Plan, which means that the budget for this project has been in place for over a decade. Through more efficient water usage and advanced technology and systems, Uplands is projected to use 32.6 million fewer gallons of water than it is allotted each year.
The average Westminster home uses 83,000 gallons of water per year. By contrast, average water use for an Uplands home is 60,000 gallons per year — or 30% less water compared to the typical Westminster home.
Development Pays Its Own Way
“In Westminster, each development project pays its way through tap fees. Tap fees help ensure that current water customers do not pay the cost of providing water to new customers and buildings.”
– City of Westminster, May 2021
According to the city of Westminster, one-fourth of all water and sewage lines are past their useful design life. Considering that many of the water and sewage infrastructure was originally built in the 1960s, the replacement and repair of outdated pipes and technology is critical to water conservation efforts. That’s why Uplands is investing $39 million in Water Tap fees and infrastructure improvements like water lines, sewer lines and storm drains.
Inside the Uplands Home
At least 20% more water and energy efficient
High-Efficiency Plumbing
High-Efficiency Toilets
High-Efficiency Bathroom Faucets
High-Efficiency Showerheads
“Smart” Lighting & Appliances
High-Efficiency Heating & Cooling
High-Performance Insulated Windows
Sustainable Ventilation
Building More Homes, For More People
Parks & Public Spaces
Adding Parks and Spaces
For the first time in 100 years, the public will have access to 47 acres — or 20% of all the developable land within Uplands — of publicly accessible parks, view corridors and pedestrian walkways. Uplands will also provide funding for the construction of these parks.
Park Land Dedication
Uplands is surpassing the city’s goal for Park Land Dedication (PLD) and funding by delivering 17% for public enjoyment. All told, Uplands has dedicated 20% of the site for parks and public spaces. In addition, Uplands is providing significant funding for the construction of the parks.
10-Minute Parks
According to The Trust For Public Land, this part of Westminster is in high need of a park within a 10-minute walk (or ½ mile), and Uplands’ park network will fulfill a long-held community desire for more parks nearby.
Community Benefits
40-Acre Land Donation
Uplands is dedicating 40 acres of land to the city of Westminster: 34 acres for public parks and 6 acres to protect view corridors. And, Uplands is donating a significant amount of cash to the city to design and build public spaces (currently estimated to be between $5 million and $10 million).
Protected Views & Park Access
Existing and new residents alike will be within a short walk of a park or open view corridor.
Cash-in-Lieu + Park Development Fees
A project the size of Uplands requires public land dedication of 65 acres. Uplands is both donating land and paying cash-in-lieu for 34.3 physical acres and 6.3 acres in view corridors, at a current market value of $5 - $8 million.
Affordable Housing Goals
Uplands will provide a diversity of housing, including 30% to 80% AMI, and for-sale cottages targeted to help meet workforce housing shortages.
Taxes & Fees
• $70 million paid in fees to city of Westminster (includes $39 million in water and tap fees)
• $16.8 million annually to Westminster Public Schools
• $434,000 in property taxes paid annually to benefit the Hyland Hills Park & Recreation District
Lifeline for School Districts
The mixed-use designs include homes, offices and retail to optimize Westminster’s investments in schools, parks, recreation and economic opportunity.
Community Gardens & Farm
The Uplands Community Collective is providing opportunities for the public to learn and practice suburban agriculture. Neighborhood gardens and a community farm will enable residents to sustainably grow food for their family and the wider community.
Infrastructure Investments
• $40 million infrastructure investment
• $39 million in water and sewer tap fees
