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Contributed by: Erin Feese/YourHub.com on 6/25/2007

Land at 25th Avenue and Fenton Street has new owner

How does a city of about 5,000 residents maintain a nostalgic atmosphere and still allow for development? The close-knit community of Edgewater is struggling to balance a need for growth along with a desire to remain true to its small-town roots.

The latest controversy to divide the city has been the property at 25th Avenue and Fenton Street, the site of a Masonic building that has been vacant for years. Until recently, the land was owned by Easy Street Properties, LLC, but was purchased on June 20 by Site 7 Solutions, a development consulting firm.

Although the company is still working on a detailed plan, Site 7 is planning to rehabilitate the Masonic building and create a restaurant on the ground level and offices upstairs, said Jim Taylor, a partner with Site 7. The company has as office in Edgewater and also owns several other city properties.

"We simply didn't want to see the (Masonic) building demolished," Taylor said. Easy Street's plan was to build a high-density townhouse complex, and Site 7's plan is much more complementary to the existing structure, Taylor said.

In addition to reviving the Masonic building, Site 7 plans to construct a mixed-use building with a small number of loft-style residential units and commercial space in the northwest corner of the property along 25th Avenue Taylor said. Edgewater has a need for multi-family housing, whether its for young professionals or empty-nesters, he said.

Although development has been given a "bad name," Taylor said he hopes to bring more energy into the neighborhood and welcomes input from Edgewater citizens.

Easy Street, which purchased the property in late 2005, sold the property because it was taking too long to get its project approved, said Sam Kimbriel, company president.

"I think there is a transition happening in Edgewater," Kimbriel said. "There is the 'old guard' of people who don't want to see change, and the 'new guard' who want things to change."

The company planned to build a 19-unit townhouse structure with a corner devoted to commercial development, such as a coffee shop, Kimbriel said. However, the company was met with opposition from Edgewater Community Church across the street, which uses the parking lot of the Masonic grounds.

"There were neighbors in the community who didn't want something this big," Kimbriel said. "(But) density is king right now. You have to get enough density to support a project."

In order to go forward with its plan, Easy Street had to apply for the property to be rezoned to allow for the mixed use of residential and commercial. Kimbriel said the company tried to work with the community to address their concerns, but residents opposed to the project filed a petition to require a supermajority of city council, which would have required six votes instead of the usual four to approve the rezoning.

Prior to appearing before city council on June 21 to get their plan approved, Easy Street announced the sale of the property. Kimbriel said he is disappointed, but has no hard feelings toward Edgewater.

"We really love to do good projects in small communities," he said "Edgewater is one of my favorite little towns. I spent a lot of time here while I was growing up."

At the June 21 city council special workshop, Edgewater resident Irma Wyhs expressed her disappointment over the sale of the property, stating the townhouse project would have brought some much-needed revenue into the city.

"Easy Street has worked in many metro-area cities and they have a fabulous reputation," she said during public comment. "This was a real chance for the city to do something so constructive, and (Easy Street) was treated rather discourteously."

Many residents were opposed to the Easy Street project because of the problems they felt it would create, such as a parking shortage and increased traffic along the street, said the Rev. Ken Kendrick of Edgewater Community Church.

"We felt it was just not a project Edgewater was suited for," Kendrick said. The church also has a vested interested in the property because it belonged to the church at one time, he said.

History of the area at 25th Avenue and Fenton Street

Originally, Edgewater Community Church owned the property on the southeast as well as the southwest corner of 25th Avenue and Fenton Street. Around the mid-1950s, the church decided to expand on the southwest corner, and gave the southeast corner (I think eight lots) to the city of Edgewater. I heard somewhere that the hope was that the city could use it for a park, though I have no way of substantiating that. Anyway, the city got the southeast corner, and soon thereafter transferred it to the
Masons for a lodge. The lodge has been a very visible part of the
Edgewater landscape ever since. A couple years ago, the Masons
closed the lodge and sold the property.

-- Rev. Ken Kendrick
Edgewater Community Church

The small church, located at 2497 Fenton St. in the heart of Edgewater, is concerned with preserving the character of the city, Kendrick said. He said he hopes to see the property turned into something that can serve the whole community.

"I am aware of the need for development, but it needs to be development that does not destroy Edgewater in the process," Kendrick said. "We have a big stake in what goes in across the street, because we consider ourselves a center of community and spiritual growth."

Developers are often caught in the middle between the residents who welcome new development and those against it, said Karen Hing, an active Edgewater resident and chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

"In my experience, talking with neighbors and residents, it seems there are people who purchases homes in Edgewater because it is affordable, and they are hoping to effect a change," Hing said. "And the other group lives here because it is not Belmar, and they like it this way - the way it has been for 50, 60 years."

The site and 25th and Fenton has been vacant for several years, and it will be great to see something happen, Hing said. However, it is going to be challenging to find something that everyone will agree on.

"We all know that Edgewater needs new development, but we just don't seem to be able to agree on what 'appropriate' development looks like," she said.

Letter sent to Edgewater from Easy Street Propeties

June 20, 2007

Dear Honorable Mayor Goodner and Members of City Council,

Thank you so much for your support over the last few years as we have sought to develop the land at 5700 W. 25 th Ave. We respectfully withdraw our application for rezoning in light of new developments.

We are excited to announce that the property have been sold to another Edgewater-based real estate consultant group, who owns and occupies the Parry Building at 5440 W. 25 th Ave. We understand that they intend to rehabilitate the Masons Building in conjunction with a new residential/mixed use component. They look forward to the rejuvenation of 25 th Avenue with the purchase of this property.

We look forward to a continued great relationship with the City of Edgewater, both now and in the future.

Your Truly,

Sam Kimbriel
President

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Submitted By: gloria cefalu

posted on 8/16/2007 @ 4:12:25 PM

(Not Rated)

I'm an Edgewater resident, extremely interested in seeing the small community grow, catch up and stay current with the changes going on in Denver Metro./g

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