FAQs

What’s the status of the Uplands development?

A large, mixed-use community like Uplands – which is relying on the most recent set of industry best practices for medium-density, sustainable, multimodal development – requires immense coordination between us and the city and many years of planning and construction to make our shared vision a reality.

Here’s what we’ve been and will continue working on over the course of 2023.

 

Neighborhood Design  

We’re working through the finer details on the first few Site-Specific Official Development Plans (ODP’s) with staff – alley layouts, utility services, setbacks, parking locations, and block-by-block curated neighborhood designs. Once we finalize these next steps, we’ll have some exciting renderings to share with more details of the future neighborhoods, including housing types and floor plans.

 

Infrastructure

We’re also continuing our work to improve infrastructure at and around the site. This includes:

  • Storm drainage improvements along Shaw Blvd. to help reduce flooding and floodplain encroachment into homes along that roadway
  • Widening/turn lane enhancements and signal upgrades and additions along Federal Blvd., W. 88th Ave., W. 84thAve., Lowell Blvd., and Bradburn Dr.
  • Sidewalk connections and beautification along the corridors listed above
  • Waterline and sanitary sewer enhancements

 

Development Review 

Concurrently, the City Council is working on its process to improve their pre-development reviews, which we support. This will bring more transparency to the process, making each step more clear and hopefully, more efficient.

Our next couple of efforts with the city’s review process focus on our detailed plans to deliver much-needed missing middle housing to a portion of our largest parcel.

What types of housing will Uplands have?

Uplands is designed to help Westminster close the affordability and supply gaps by introducing a medium-density mix of homes with parks, view corridors, and a village center that invites people to walk and bike to shops and services. Uplands offers a full spectrum of rental and for-sale housing, including, but not limited to: 

  • For sale single-family detached homes
  • For sale paired homes (duplexes) and townhomes
  • Multifamily rental apartments 
  • Deed-restricted affordable and affordable senior rental apartments

This unique combination provides a greater diversity of housing options while creating a welcoming and inclusive neighborhood that accommodates diverse economic circumstances and life stages.

While our builder partners have not yet released specific floor plans, you can find more information in the coming months on the dedicated housing page.

I’m new here – can you give me the highlights of Uplands?

Aside from people’s homes, which of course are private property, the public is invited to enjoy the bountiful parks, community spaces, and protected views that will exemplify Uplands. Adjacent neighbors are also welcome to enjoy the many amenities in the Village Center, which will include retail shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and more. And lastly, we envision a lot of community programming, such as performances, live music, etc. once Uplands is built out. Our goal is to welcome anyone who wants to participate.

Beyond housing affordability and attainability and unrestricted access to more than 40 acres of public parks and spaces, Uplands provides numerous benefits that align with the Westminster community’s priorities and values — from meaningful community connections and prosperous neighborhoods to responsible resource management and thriving local businesses. This includes:

  • Beautifully designed homes along wide sidewalks and tree-lined streets
  • Homes with front porches and stoops to encourage neighborly interactions
  • Pockets of neighborhoods connected by multi-use trails and tree corridors, as well as both active and passive public spaces that invite people of all ages to explore
  • The Uplands Community Collective, a hyperlocal nonprofit, which will ensure programming throughout the year to bring together neighbors to learn, socialize and volunteer

Uplands is also making significant investments in Westminster as a whole through the following community benefits:

  • $40 million infrastructure investment in water and sewer systems, roadway and traffic patterns, and pedestrian improvements
  • 40-acre land donation (34 acres for public parks/spaces and 6 acres to protect the site’s stunning views)
  • Substantial cash donation to the city to design and build public spaces, currently estimated at $5-$8 million
  • $70 million in fees to the city of Westminster
  • Nearly $17 million annually in incremental, annual revenue to Westminster Public Schools
  • More than $430,000 in property taxes paid annually to benefit the Hyland Hills Park & Recreation District
  • Neighborhood gardens and a proposed community farm to honor the site’s history
  • A significant boost to the city of Westminster’s economy, including the creation of nearly thousands of permanent jobs
  • The unique opportunity to optimize Westminster’s investments in schools, parks, recreation and economic opportunity

How many acres of parks will Uplands have?

For the first time in a century, the community will have public access to 47 acres of parks, gathering spaces, and protected view corridors. Connected by a network of trails, paths and sidewalks, Uplands fulfills a long-held community desire for more parks nearby by allowing residents from the community and surrounding neighborhoods to access a park or public space within just a 5-to-10-minute walk. And not only is Uplands dedicating parks, we’re also donating millions of dollars for the development and maintenance of parks the whole community can enjoy.

Will the Uplands community be public or private?

Aside from people’s homes, which of course are private property, the public is invited to enjoy the bountiful parks, community spaces, and protected views that will exemplify Uplands. Adjacent neighbors are also welcome to enjoy the many amenities in the Village Center, which will include retail shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and more. And lastly, we envision a lot of community programming, such as performances, live music, etc. once Uplands is built out. Our goal is to welcome anyone who wants to participate.

When will details on housing become available?

We’re working with our architect and homebuilding partners on a daily basis to refine plans for the diverse housing we’ll have throughout the Uplands community. This includes applications to the city, which will be followed by neighborhood meetings. Those meetings will be the best place to learn about the details of the housing options that will be built and provide input to the planning team. Be sure that you’re signed up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a meeting. You can also check the meetings page on our website – that’s where you’ll find upcoming meetings.

Factsheets

Click on each image to view full size format.

Project at a Glance factsheet
Uplands at a Glance
Parks & Public Spaces factsheet
Parks & Public Spaces
Workforce & Affordable Housing factsheet
Workforce & Affordable Housing
Economic Impact Summary Infographic April 2021
Economic & Planning Systems Study
Housing factsheet
Uplands Housing
Mobility and Transportation factsheet
Mobility & Transport
Water Conservation & Sustainability factsheet
Water Conservation & Sustainability
Sustainability Priorities factsheet
Sustainability Priorities