A working group of Historic Westminster residents and City staff are looking at options for the future use of the property at West 73rd and Lowell Boulevard. Residents and staff will meet through September to review background and evaluate options. A Study Session with City Council is scheduled for October 17 to review recommendations.
Meeting information: The work group met on August 4, 16, 30 and September 14. Meeting notes and handouts are organized by date, in the ‘Work Group Meetings’ section below.
The site: [click map at right] Six parcels on the west side of Lowell Boulevard between West 72nd and West 73rd Avenue. There are three parcels on the south side of the Penguin Building and three on the north side. For more background on the history of the site, click red button below.
For more information, or to provide input to the process, email the City of Westminster Community Development Block Grant staff at CDBG@cityofwestminster.us.
Background: 73rd & LowellNOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
July 6, 2023
City of Westminster, an entitlement jurisdiction under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
4800 West 92nd Avenue
Westminster, CO, 80031
(303) 658-2414
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Westminster.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about Tuesday, July 25, 2023 the City of Westminster will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as the Harris-Park-Palette for the purpose of performing site landscaping and improvements to support use of three-parcels (3630 W. 73rd Ave., 7277 and 7287 Lowell Blvd.) as an open-air community event space. The anticipated CDBG allocation is $200,000.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Westminster has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional information is contained in an Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project and is on file at the Economic Development Department, City of Westminster, located at 4800 West 92nd Ave., Westminster Colorado, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., with an appointment.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the CDBG Staff at the City of Westminster via email at: CDBG@cityofwestminster.us. All comments received by Monday, July 24, 2023, will be considered by the City of Westminster prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Westminster certifies to HUD that Mark A. Freitag in his capacity as City Manager consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Westminster to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Westminster’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Westminster; (b) the RE has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Noemi Ghirghi, CPD Region VIII Director, at CPD_COVID-19OEE-DEN@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact CPD_COVID-19OEE-DEN@hud.gov to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Mark A. Freitag, City Manager
City of Westminster
January Community Update on 73rd & Lowell
Learn moreMeeting information and handouts
Meeting notes and outcome Agenda item PowerPoint presentation slidesMeeting information and handouts
Meeting notes (English & Spanish) Agenda Parcel Numbers Timeline HUD National ObjectivesMeeting information and handouts
Meeting notes