Regis University\u2019s property in northwest Denver features a grassy quad and stately brick academic buildings and dorms.<\/p>\n
East of that, along Federal Boulevard, it also includes a few stand-alone fast-food joints, hundreds of parking spaces and an unspectacular strip mall.<\/p>\n
The latter is being eyed for improvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe envision a space that is mutually beneficial to the local community and the university community,\u201d said the Rev. D. Scott Hendrickson.<\/p>\n
The private Catholic school founded in 1877 owns about 85 acres north of Regis Boulevard between Federal and Lowell boulevards. The core campus comprises about 60 acres on the west side. The nearly 25 acres on the east, also home to a couple athletic fields, are proposed to be redeveloped into a project dubbed \u201cRegis Village.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hendrickson, the school\u2019s recently installed interim president, told BusinessDen that the project is about seeing \u201chow the Federal Boulevard area can become more of a front door\u201d to the university.<\/p>\n
Documents submitted by the school to Denver say Regis Village and the main campus would \u201cfunction as two separate, but interconnected developments, with each serving and supporting the uses of the other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regis Village is proposed to include a mix of uses, including office, multifamily and commercial space, according to plans. A grid of private streets would be installed.<\/p>\n
Regis has asked Denver for new custom zoning for the redevelopment site, which would allow for buildings up to five stories along Federal and up to three stories closer to the main campus. That doesn\u2019t account for city incentives that sometimes allow additional height.<\/p>\n
The newly built townhomes and apartments wouldn\u2019t be reserved for students. Instead, the plan is to incorporate housing for seniors and income-restricted units.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have adequate housing on our campus right now,\u201d Hendrickson said.<\/p>\n