Attracting investment to Westminster Station

City Council hears update on e orts to create vital area near train station

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Westminster city sta gave the city council an update regarding the transitoriented development at Westminster Station at the May 1 study session.

“It’s sort of a renaissance for Federal and this area,” said City Councilor Sarah Nurmela. “ is has been a long time coming to see this vision evolve.”

Nurmela said when she worked at the city, this was one of the projects she worked on. A concern from developers was the investment from the city, and she said the work has been put in.

Economic Development Director Lindsey Kimball said that they’re waiting on developers and businesses.

“ e spark we are trying to light is with the private sector,” she said. e fragmented ownership of properties surrounding the Westminster Station makes it a challenge since there are multiple groups to deal with, rather one owner, like the new downtown. As well, she said some of the obsolete and industrial buildings are structurally di cult. Business owners have also voiced concerns about camps of people experiencing homelessness.

Mayor Nancy McNally said those concerns are real and need to be dealt with.

Stephanie Ashmann, Senior Planner, said the plan for housing and commercial development in the station calls for building heights that will gradually increase as it transitions from singlefamily homes to commercial development.

Some arts and culture businesses