June 2024

Exterior finishes are underway at the Highlands Ranch Senior Center, and indoor work is progressing toward a fall opening of the building.

Concrete crews formed and poured the main driveway entry off Highlands Ranch Parkway. Construction workers started and continue to install exterior wall tile slabs around the building. Landscapers began planting and seeding throughout the site. Metal roof installation is more than 80% complete. The east parking lot light poles have been installed and work began on electrical trim inside the building.  

Work continues on exterior ceilings at gable overhangs, and pre-wiring lighting has begun in the ceilings. Trim for the fire sprinkler system and mechanical systems has begun and is ongoing. Crews have also started to install wall tile in the restrooms.

Drywall, tape and finish along with bathroom floor and wall tile are 80% complete. 

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May 2024

With interior wall framing in the Highlands Ranch Senior Center building complete, dry wall installation and finishing is well underway. Initial paint coats in restrooms have been completed. Rough interior electrical, mechanical and plumbing are complete, allowing installation of ceilings to begin. Metal roof installation is more than 60% complete.

The east parking lot was paved in early April, and final lifts of asphalt will occur before project completion. Electric and gas lines have been installed with service hookups scheduled for mid-June. The landscaper is currently finishing irrigation to prepare for plantings. Final site grading is underway, and remaining short retaining walls will be constructed.

The senior center is expected to open in September.

April 2024

Interior wall framing in the Highlands Ranch Senior Center building is complete, and interior electrical, mechanical and plumbing construction activities are wrapping up. Drywall installation has begun. Exterior insulation is also complete, and exterior finishes are underway. Metal roof installation is continuing.

With some spells of dry weather, site work has progressed with completion of curb and gutter in the east parking lot. Initial asphalt paving of the lot is scheduled for the first week of May. Irrigation lines are almost complete, and fine grading and seeding are underway.

March 2024

Interior wall framing in the Highlands Ranch Senior Center building is almost complete, which means interior electrical, mechanical and plumbing construction activities are well underway. The snowstorms in March prevented the metal roof installation from beginning until the last week of the month. Installation of exterior windows and doors and completion of exterior insulation were also delayed but will begin as soon as the weather warms.

Moisture from the snow also delayed site work. Replacement of the Diamond K Trail south of the center is scheduled to be completed in April, as well as seeding of the disturbed areas around the site’s perimeter. Preparation for curb, gutter and paving will begin as the site dries out. Weather permitting, paving is scheduled for late April. Irrigation lines will be installed in April in preparation for landscaping the site.

As recent rounds of weather have delayed the completion of exterior, especially the roof, the completion date of the entire project has been pushed back. The opening of the senior center is now expected to be in September. 

February 2024

The Highlands Ranch Senior Center building is almost fully enclosed and interior work is underway. Skylights have been installed, allowing roof decking and insulation to be completed. The wall insulation is in progress, and doors and windows are scheduled to be set in March. Interior wall framing has begun, which means interior electrical, mechanical and plumbing construction can also proceed.  

Site work is wrapping up as final grades are established around the project's perimeter. The stormwater pond is complete, and the Diamond K Trail on the south side of the senior center is scheduled to be replaced in March. Preparation for landscaping and installation of the irrigation system has also begun. Curb and gutter construction in the east parking lot occurs on warm days, while paving of the lot is on hold for spring. 

Staff members continue to meet weekly to review progress and make adjustments as needed.

January 2024

While cold and snow in January prevented work on the roof for several days, the metal roof decking is almost complete. Skylight installation is expected to begin by early February. Flat roof installation is complete, allowing installation of mechanical ducts, electrical and plumbing to begin underneath the roof. Areas still in progress include exterior wall and roof insulation and interior wall framing. Once the building is enclosed, construction will be less susceptible to weather delays.

Site work is wrapping up as final grades are being established around the project's perimeter. Paving, curb and gutter construction are on hold for warmer weather. The landscaping portion of the contract was approved this month, so landscaping will begin as the weather warms and site improvements are completed. Staff members continue to meet weekly to review progress and make adjustments as needed.

December 2023

Weather delays and roof connection issues have pushed the substantial completion of the project to the end of May with a tentative opening date of July 1. Weather delays in the next month could impact that completion date.

Installation of roof trusses was completed in early December. Complications with roofing connections delayed the decking installation. The metal roof decking is 30% complete and the flat membrane roofing is 60% complete. Skylights are scheduled to be installed mid-January, which will allow installation of metal roofing to be completed in February. Exterior sheathing will also begin in January, and the building should be enclosed by early February. Rough interior electrical, plumbing and mechanical work will begin as flat roofs are completed. Weather will continue to be a challenge until the building is enclosed.

The west parking lot, west access and north driveway were paved in early December. Site electrical for parking lot lighting continues as weather permits. Final grading of the site is proceeding. Other than paving the east parking lot and access, most site work is completed. Landscaping will begin in the spring.

Staff continues to meet weekly to review progress and makes adjustments as needed. 

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November 2023

The exterior building walls are up at the Highlands Ranch Senior Center. Installation of the exterior insulation on the outside walls began in late November with the goal of enclosing the building by mid-December. Roof trusses will be completed in early December and roof decking installation started in late November. Skylights will begin to be set in early December and the metal roof is scheduled to begin in mid-December. In conjunction with the walls, windows are also scheduled to begin in late December with completion expected in mid-January. When these activities are completed, the building will be enclosed and the interior will be protected from the weather.

Water, storm and sanitary sewer have been completed and the foundation is backfilled. Curb and gutter construction for the west lot and north driveway was completed in late November. West lot asphalt paving and access is scheduled for the first week of December. Grading of slopes and areas on the south end of the site around the stormwater pond are completed and seeding has proceeded with native dryland grasses. Erosion control blankets have been installed on the steeper slopes.

Staff continues to meet weekly to review progress and make adjustments as needed.

October 2023

A lot of progress was made on the Highlands Ranch Senior Center in October. One of the primary goals in the next 30 days is to install the roof and exterior walls so that the interior is protected from winter weather. The structural steel is complete in and the installation of the roof decking is scheduled to begin November 1. The concrete floor pours were completed October 16.  Rough framing for interior walls began the last week of October as well.

Site work and utilities will be wrapping up in the next few weeks with the completion of storm sewer and waterline, overall site grading and backfilling of the foundation.  The west access from Highlands Ranch Parkway was completed October 16th and the east access is scheduled for mid-November. On site curb and gutter construction will begin in early November with the intent to pave the west parking lot and driveway on north side of the building before winter. As the grading of slopes and areas on the south end of the site are completed, seeding will proceed with native dryland grasses.

Staff continues to meet weekly to review progress and make adjustments as needed.

August 2023 Update

The senior center is officially coming out of the ground. Foundation walls were poured on August 9, which allowed piers inside the foundation walls to be drilled and poured the week of August 14. The structural steel was delivered and contractors began setting vertical steel on August 29.

The storm sewer line has been connected to the inlet on Highlands Ranch Parkway and final grading of the pond has begun. A waterline has been installed to the two hydrants onsite and three of the four retaining walls have been completed. Grading operations are beginning again, now that the foundation walls are completed and can be backfilled.

Continued precipitation has presented challenges, but work has been able to progress. Staff continues to meet weekly to review progress and project submittals, and to evaluate opportunities for value engineering.

July 2023 Update

Drier weather in July allowed work to progress on the senior center. Piers for the foundation were completed in early July, which allowed forms for the foundation walls to be set and structural steel placed. The wall is scheduled to be poured in early August. This will enable the contractor to begin installing vertical components of the building.

Final tasks for the storm sewer line and pond are wrapping up. One section of the waterline has been installed to a fire hydrant and the remaining is scheduled to be installed in August. Two of the retaining walls have been completed and the third is underway. Grading operations have continued and should be wrapped up in August.

The nearly twelve inches of precipitation received in May and June was more than three times the average. The wet weather delayed work, consequently shifting the anticipated opening date to May 2024. The project team continues to meet weekly to ensure issues are identified and addressed as soon as possible.

June 2023 Update

Rainy conditions continued into June and delayed some work scheduled for the month. Before the foundation walls could be poured, the crews focused on repairing sub-grade around the building perimeter trench that was damaged by the recent heavy rainfall.

The final tasks for the storm sewer line and pond are underway. The contractor also finished excavating for the two-tiered retaining wall running along the north side of the site.

The general contractor started drilling and pouring concrete building piers at the end of June. Recognizing that some of the tasks have been pushed back a few weeks, the tasks ahead in July will focus on the building foundation and floor slab. Many of the major structural components for the building have been ordered to ensure on-time delivery.

May 2023 Update

Rainy conditions throughout May delayed some work scheduled for the month. Retaining wall construction below the west access road has been completed. Construction of the remaining retaining walls will begin in early June.

Excavation for the water quality pond has been completed and construction of the pond outlet structures is underway. Building foundation excavation has also begun and installation of the foundation piers will begin in early June. Storm sewer pipe construction to the pond is almost complete and water line installation will follow.

Despite the wet weather, the scheduled completion for the project remains unchanged.

 April 2023 Update

Earth moving operations are progressing and work is 75% complete as of the end of April. The main access from Highlands Ranch Parkway across from Ridgeglen Way has been completed. Work has begun on the secondary access off Highlands Ranch Parkway west of the main entrance. Retaining wall construction along the driveways that was scheduled to begin in late April has been delayed until the first week of May. This was the result of a change in earthwork operations that was being coordinated with utility construction.

The sanitary sewer is complete and storm sewer work continues with roof drains on the west side installed and connected to the storm sewer. Water line construction is scheduled to start in May. Foundation excavation will also begin in May, which will allow the concrete piers to be drilled and poured. This will take most of the month, followed by work starting on the foundation floor.

Materials for structural components of the building are going through the final review process. Orders will then be placed.

March 2023 Update

Earth moving operations began in early March and are still underway. The current primary construction focus is building the access from Highlands Ranch Parkway across from Ridgeglen Way, as this will be the main access for material delivery throughout construction.

The site is taking shape and storm sewer work has begun. Sanitary sewer and water line construction will begin in late April as the earthwork operations are wrapping up. Construction of the retaining walls will also begin in late April.

All plans have been approved and staff continues to conduct weekly meetings with the contractor and the architect.

February 2023 Update

Earth moving operations were delayed due to weather conditions but are anticipated to begin the first week of March. Earthwork will be ongoing for most of the month, with utility installations to follow. Construction of the main access from Highlands Ranch Parkway across from Ridgeglen Way will be done initially to provide construction access for the site.

Staff is conducting weekly meetings with the contractor and the architect to review schedules and project submittals. Scheduled completion for the project remains unchanged and is projected for early 2024.

January 2023 Update

Waner Construction, the general contractor for the Highlands Ranch Senior Center, has mobilized on site. Preparations for grading operations and site development are underway. Earth moving operations will begin in early February. This requires closure of the trail from Broadway to the Foothills Trail connection east of the construction site beginning February 1. Earthwork operations will be ongoing for most of February with utility installations to follow. The trail will remain closed during the earthwork and utility phase. As the project progresses, staff will evaluate the opportunity to re-open the trail during building construction.

The start of the onsite construction phase is a positive step toward the addition of an important facility for our community. The board of directors is encouraged that site development has started and is looking forward to beginning construction this spring. Scheduled completion for the project is early 2024.

December 2022 Update

At a special board meeting on December 21st, a contract was awarded to Waner Construction for the construction of the Highlands Ranch Senior Center. The Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract amount is $15,400,093.  The board had previously approved a contract to Waner for site work that was not executed so the site work is included in the GMP contract. The GMP contract does not include landscaping, furniture, fixtures, and special equipment. The landscape and site amenities are still being reviewed by staff and will be brought to the board as a separate action item in 2023.  The estimated total cost for the project is $18.4 million.

The building plans are currently under final review by Douglas County. Site design is undergoing some minor revisions which has delayed the start of site work. It is now anticipated to begin in January 2023. 

In addition to the fitness, wellness, recreation, socialization and enrichment programming that will be offered to serve the older adult population, the senior center will include space for Douglas County Human Services programs that are currently only available in Castle Rock. The Metro District board and staff are excited the building work has been finalized and construction will soon begin. 

November 2022 Update

October 2022 Update

The project is moving from the design stage toward the start of construction activities on the site. Site construction drawings are substantially complete and have been submitted to the appropriate agencies for review and approval. This process normally takes about 30 days. After approval by these agencies, initial grading, erosion control, stormwater improvements and utilities will be able to proceed.

At the October 25th meeting of the Metro District Board of Directors, a contract was authorized with the General Contractor, Waner Construction, in an amount not to exceed $1,350,143 for these improvements. It is anticipated that the sitework activities will start by the end of the year, depending on weather conditions.

The design team has been incorporating various updates and revisions to the building design based on feedback and value engineering decisions to manage project costs. The drawings were submitted to the appropriate agencies, including Douglas County, on October 31. With the completed construction drawings, bids for the remaining work to construct the building will be solicited by Waner Construction and a recommendation for the award of this work is expected by the end of 2022.

September 2022 Update

Preparation of construction drawings for the building are well underway, which will allow for development of the building cost. The team has evaluated value engineering items to reduce costs without affecting the facility’s appearance and function. Site design challenges have been resolved and final site and utility design will be complete in early October. This will allow for a contract for site work to be approved in October. The final site design eliminated the looped trail and moved it further from Dad Clark Gulch. The landscaping design is progressing and is taking advantage of low water use plant material as much as possible and blending into the native area around the site.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday, Sept. 19 in the Mountainview Christian Church parking lot. The ceremony featured a brief program, light refreshments, giveaways, photo keepsakes and more. There were approximately 150 people in attendance.

August 2022 Update

July 2022 Update

The project team is conducting final review of the design development drawings. The site development design is being refined as some changes to driveways and the parking lot are being considered. The preliminary cost estimate, based on the 50% level of drawings, is projected to be between $15.5M and $16.5M, which exceeds the original estimate. The project team is reviewing the current plans and evaluating the associated costs as part of the value engineering process. The intent of this process is to identify the elements that have significant impacts on the current estimate and evaluate the benefit relative to the associated cost. This will be the basis for value engineering decisions, where design and materials options to reduce costs are considered.

Submission for Douglas County’s Location and Extent process has been completed and the project is scheduled to be presented at the August 15 Planning Commission hearing.

June 2022 Update

The project team is continuing the review of the design development drawings and preliminary cost estimates. The site design is proceeding and nearing completion of final design for submittal to Douglas County.

Staff will be presenting to HRCA Development Review Committee on July 13 and is planning to submit to Douglas County in July for the location and extent process, which would allow the planning commission hearing to be scheduled.

May 2022 Update

The project team is reviewing the design development drawings to allow the architect to proceed to final construction drawings and the contractor to begin developing pricing. The site design, outdoor improvements and landscaping plans are underway and will be reviewed by the project team in June.

The project is planned to be presented to the HRCA development review committee in July and the Douglas County Planning Commission in late July or early August.

April 2022 Update

The project team has incorporated many of the comments received at the January board workshop, from the public at the February 24 open house, and from staff.

The building design development is at roughly a 50% level, which will allow final site planning to begin. This will be a cooperative effort with the architect, landscape architect and civil engineer.

The operations plan is evaluating many of the comments received at the open house as well as results from the questionnaire. Operations planning is focused on ensuring final building features will support anticipated participant interest in programs and activities. This includes consideration for things like size of storage rooms and identifying flooring material for various spaces. The final facility design will help with the development of membership and fee recommendations.

March 2022 Update

The project team has reviewed comments received at the January workshop from the board and from the public at the open house held February 24. Many of these comments have been incorporated into the preliminary design. The preliminary design is the basis for the final design effort, which is underway. A landscape architect has been added to the team and concepts have been developed, which are under review. Staff is reviewing the results of the questionnaire that was made available, and will consider those comments in developing the operations plan. Operations planning is currently focused on developing membership and fee recommendations.

February 2022 Update

A senior center open house was held February 24 at Mountain View Community Church. Members of the project team presented materials on the site planning, building floor plan, anticipated programs and funding for the project. More than 200 people were in attendance. Written comments were submitted at that time, and can also be submitted online [form closed in 2022] through Friday, March 18. These comments will be reviewed by staff during the final design process. Final design of the building and the site improvements will begin in March.

January 2022 Update

Work on conceptual plans continued in December and early January and a workshop was held with the board of directors on January 14^.  The board provided constructive comments which the design team will take into account as the plans are continually being updated. A community open house on the project will occur in late February. Details are being finalized.

At the January board meeting, a contract was approved with Waner Construction to provide pre-construction services, which includes design review, assisting with cost estimates and evaluating availability of materials for construction. Waner Construction has completed many projects in the Denver region, including the Highlands Ranch Mansion renovation in 2012.

December 2021 Update

Metro District staff and representatives of OZ Architects toured three senior centers that have been completed in the past five years in communities with populations similar to Highlands Ranch. The visits and discussions with people operating these facilities provided valuable insight for the design of the Highlands Ranch Senior Center. The building floor plans were developed to accommodate the desired programs and uses. The site plan work completed the preliminary design. At the December 14 board meeting, staff provided an overview of the conceptual floor plan and recommended a work session with the board in early January.

To utilize the integrated project delivery method, the project was publicly advertised, requesting qualification statements from qualified contractors. Staff reviewed qualification statements that were submitted and selected three contractors to submit proposals for pre-construction services that will assist in design decisions for preparation of construction documents. Interviews will occur in January and staff will recommend a contractor at the January board meeting.

October 2021 Update

The integrated project delivery (IPD) method was approved by the Metro District Board of Directors at their September 28 meeting as an timely and cost-effective alternative for completion of the Highlands Ranch Senior Center construction project. The IPD method allows a contractor to be part of the decision-making process and furnish cost and availability for materials and design options. This also allows staff to make informed decisions for material and design selection, utilizing current costs. This method of project delivery is utilized by many public agencies.

The Metro District will publish notice of a request for qualifications from interested contractors. All submittals will be reviewed by staff, and based on that review, a request for proposal (RFP) will be issued to pre-qualified contractors.

Submitted proposals are required to include the contractor’s approach and overhead as well as markup costs for all work. The cost for assistance in the design effort is also included in that proposal. All submitted proposals will be evaluated according to the established criteria and procedures set forth in the RFP. After review, the Metro District may accept the proposal that, in its estimation, represents the best value to the Metro District. 

At the appropriate time, the selected general contractor will then prepare a proposed guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for review and evaluation by staff. In the GMP, the contractor will present options for potential cost savings. Multiple bids for all work in the contract are required to be submitted as part of the GMP for staff evaluation. This method was selected because of the benefit of contractor input on cost and availability of materials, as well as the potential to reduce costs.

September 2021 Update

The board of directors, in August, approved OZ Architects to design the senior center. The development of schematic and conceptual designs, and site planning are all underway. The senior center site is east of the Broadway/Highlands Ranch Parkway intersection on the south side of Highlands Ranch Parkway.  

August 2021 Update

At the July 27 board meeting, the Metro District Board of Directors approved an appropriation of $155,400 for design and consulting services for the future Highlands Ranch Senior Center. The services include a consulting contract with Calibre Engineering for site civil final design and a consulting contract with A.G. Wassenaar for geotechnical services. 

The effort with Calibre Engineering includes final grading, parking lot layout, building location and orientation, water, sanitary and storm sewer design, traffic study, and preparation of exhibits for the Douglas County process. The consultant with be working closely with the architect and the project team on the building location and orientation throughout the design process. The services from A.G. Wassenaar include geotechnical investigations.  

July 2021 Update

The Metro District Board of Directors, at their March board meeting, approved funding to proceed with conceptual site planning for the future Highlands Ranch Senior Center. The Senior Center will be located on the south side of Highlands Ranch Parkway, east of the Broadway intersection. Preliminary conceptual plans for site development are underway, including access, grading, parking, building location and utility work.

April 2021 Update

The Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors, at the March 30 board meeting, unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing staff to proceed with preliminary site civil engineering, geotechnical evaluation and traffic study analysis of the Highlands Ranch Parkway site for the future Highlands Ranch Senior Center. The site is located south of Highlands Ranch Parkway, east of the S. Broadway intersection.

Click here to read the full resolution.

February 2021 Update

Metro District General Manager Mike Renshaw recommended at the Feb. 17 board meeting to locate the future Highlands Ranch Senior Center at the Highlands Ranch Parkway site, located south of Highlands Ranch Parkway, east of the S. Broadway intersection.

In addition, the board of directors opened a third public comment period, through Tuesday, March 16, to hear feedback about the future Senior Center site. Highlands Ranch residents are invited to provide comments through an online form.

All comments will be reviewed by staff and board members, and will be discussed at the March 30 board of directors meeting.

Click here to submit comments. [Form closed in 2021]

December 2020 Update

As a result of the repeal to the Gallagher Amendment and the favorable impact on the Metro District’s long-range finances, the board of directors determined the senior center project will move forward. Staff is evaluating options and sites for the new senior center, and developing plans and timelines for design, public involvement and construction.

Fall 2020 Update

As of May 20, 2020 the board has directed staff to look for possible interim options. Some of the options for an interim facility might include leasing space or completing the interior renovation of the Fly’n B House at Fly’n B Park to accommodate some senior programs. Staff will further research these and other options and report back to the board.

In July 2020, the Metro District Board of Directors asked staff to research interim options for the Senior Center after determining that a stand-alone facility should be placed on hold until the Metro District’s  financial outlook is clearer.

Following a report on Senior Center options, presented to the Metro District Board of Directors at their August 25, 2020 board meeting, the board has directed staff to begin the design phase for Fly’n B Park improvements, including completing renovation of the Fly’n B House interior. It is intended that the house could serve as a small startup venue to develop additional active adult and senior programming. Once the design phase and project budget have been completed, the board will decide whether to proceed with the improvements. The design phase will include plans for site improvements, additional parking and renovation of the interior of the house. This is anticipated to last approximately eight months. Once completed the Fly’n B House could be used for a wide variety of uses including senior programs, recreation programs, community activities and some private rentals for small events.

When the board resumes discussions about the Senior Center they may choose to conduct further evaluation of the proposed site on Highlands Ranch Parkway which would include:

1. Solicitation and gathering of additional input from the neighborhoods located adjacent to the proposed site.
2. Engaging the services of a civil engineering firm to conduct further analysis of the site. The intent of this phase of planning is to prepare up to three different alternatives for locating the proposed 30,000-square-foot facility with the associated improvements. Site planning will consider grading, utilities, access to Highlands Ranch Parkway, building footprint and elevations, site circulation, parking, outdoor activity space, pedestrian access, landscaping, drainage and stormwater requirements.

Staff would then share this information with the Metro District board as they deliberate a final decision regarding the feasibility of this site for the Senior Center.

May 2020

The Metro District Board of Directors, at their May 20, 2020 meeting decided to postpone further action on the Senior Center. Staff presented an updated long-range revenue forecast projecting a significant drop in property tax revenue of 12% – 23% in 2022 driven by economic impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Property tax revenue is the primary source of revenue for Metro District operations. The Colorado Constitution requires review and possible adjustment of the residential assessment rate at the same time properties are reassessed, every two years. The next reassessment will apply to property taxes collected in 2022. The state is projecting an 18% reduction in the residential assessment rate from 7.15% to 5.88%. If the residential assessment rate drops, it will reduce the amount of property tax the Metro District will collect in 2022 and into the future.

Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the Metro District was in the process of continuing the site evaluation for the Highlands Ranch Parkway location and an associated public outreach process. At the May 20 board of directors meeting board members directed staff to look for possible interim options.

Discussions surrounding the future Senior Center will resume after the Metro District knows the results of the 2020 property tax reassessment and the new residential assessment rate, which are expected in early 2021.

1. Studied the feasibility of expanding an existing HRCA recreation center and determined there is not enough land available adjacent to the recreation centers.
2. Studied feasibility of leasing space for an interim facility. The Metro District Board determined they wanted to pursue construction of a standalone facility as no suitable space was available for an interim facility at that time and they did not want to spend funds to lease a facility.
3. Continues to research opportunities to purchase and remodel an existing building.
4. Studied feasibility of partnering with Shea Properties in which Shea would build affordable senior rental housing located in the same building as the Senior Center. The Metro District would build the Senior Center on a site Shea Properties owns in Town Center. Due to the board’s concern about the lack of sufficient parking at this site, the Metro District decided not to pursue this option.
5. Studied 23 sites in the community, and in September 2019 staff made a recommendation to pursue building the Senior Center on the Highlands Ranch Parkway site on property owned by the Metro District. The board agreed the Highlands Ranch Parkway site would be their first choice and directed staff to move forward with Douglas County Planning to discuss traffic planning and conduct further evaluation of the site.

Since the beginning of this project in 2017 members of the public have attended Metro District Board meetings to provide input.

A third public comment period was held from February 18 - March 16, 2021. There was a total of 357 respondents, 62% of which expressed support for the Highlands Ranch Parkway site as the preferred location, 18% of respondents preferred the Plaza Drive site. Click here to review a summary of those comments.

From September 2019 – October 19, 2019 the Metro District received public input and written comment, pertaining to the site evaluation report from more than 240 individuals. Staff solicited public comment via eMessenger electronic newsletters, Nextdoor, Facebook, an article in the Highlands Ranch Herald newspaper and through a comments form on our website.

The majority of respondents (124) favored the site on Highlands Ranch Parkway due to the central location, visibility, proximity to bus routes, shopping, restaurants and medical services.

In December 2019 the Metro District engaged National Research Center to conduct a community survey covering a broad range of topics. 3,500 surveys were sent to randomly selected registered voters in the community. The survey included questions about the many services the Metro District provides, including a set of questions to gauge public support for the proposed Senior Center. There was broad support for building a stand-alone Senior Center. View the full survey.

From March 31 – May 27, 2020 the Metro District received emails and comments at board meetings from approximately 91 individuals regarding the proposed site on Highlands Ranch Parkway. Of the emails received 89 expressed concerns about the site and opposition to this location. Two of the emails expressed support for the Senior Center at this site. All of these emails and comments have been shared with the board of directors, the project team and are part of the record for the project.

Subscribe to monthly Senior Center eNewsletters. Please click here to sign up or send an email to info@highlandsranch.org.

Volunteer at the senior center. Engage with others in a vibrant and welcoming environment through interesting volunteer experiences, including tour guide, front desk reception, office assistance, social event committee, center leadership and more. Please email jhall@highlandsranch.org for more information.

Become an enrichment program instructor. Instructors at the senior center will teach enrichment programs on a multitude of topics including arts, fitness, languages, music and more.

If you are qualified to teach and interested in teaching classes at the center, please complete the Program Instructor Application. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Ireland, fitness and enrichment coordinator, at kireland@highlandsranch.org.

Submit your thoughts or questions about senior center programming to Jill Hall, Senior Services Manager at jhall@highlandsranch.org.

1. Does the current approved Service Plan for the Highlands Ranch Metro District provide the required authority to both construct and operate a senior center?

Yes, the Highlands Ranch Metro District's legal counsel has given their opinion that the 2006 Service Plan grants broad authority for the Metro District to provide recreation facilities, which include senior facilities. Specifically, the Service Plan grants to the Metro District the "power to provide for the design, acquisition, installation, construction, operation and maintenance of parks and recreation facilities or programs, including without limitation... community center(s)... and other recreation facilities...".

To view the Service Plan, click here.

2 . How will the Senior Center be funded?

One-time capital funding for the construction of the Highlands Ranch Senior Center comes from cash on hand generated from system development fees and interest earned on those fee collections. System development fees are paid by the developer at the time of construction.

The business plan for operations of the Highlands Ranch Senior Center assumes funding from user fees and property taxes. The long-term financial forecast for the Metro District does not anticipate any change to mill levy rates to fund operations of the senior center.

3. Why did the board select the Highlands Ranch Parkway site?

During the process of evaluating potential sites, several factors were considered, including property ownership, location within the community, timeline for project completion and total budget. Some of these factors involved ongoing evaluations of the top sites in 2019 and 2020, which led to the final decision. The preferred site selected by the board of directors offered the most positive combination of the many factors.

4. Will construction of the senior center on Highlands Ranch Parkway site impact the drainage, riparian area and wildlife in the area?

Highlands Ranch is a planned development and master plans for all aspects of land development were created and updated as the community has grown. Development was anticipated throughout the entire community and infrastructure and drainage corridors were sized to accommodate both historic and developed stormwater flows. This property was included in these planning efforts.

Wildlife in the open spaces in Highlands Ranch are typically species that are able to adapt to living in close proximity to humans in urban areas. The senior center site is adjacent to a narrow corridor of open space in an area that is bordered by existing residential, commercial development and heavily trafficked roads. We don’t anticipate development of the senior center will have an adverse impact on the animals that use this open space corridor. The decision by the Metro District to create natural drainage ways throughout the community has resulted in a much higher diversity of wildlife and habitat for our community. The riparian corridor will remain with the development of the senior center.

5. Will construction of the senior center on the Highlands Ranch Parkway site cause excessive runoff, flooding and erosion to the drainage area or my property?

As noted above, master drainage plans were developed for Highlands Ranch that accounts for buildout of the community and are updated regularly. All improvements in Douglas County, including drainage, are reviewed for compliance with local, state and federal requirements and approval is required prior to construction.

The Metro District retained the services of an engineering consultant to evaluate the Highlands Ranch Parkway site and the consultant determined that there would be no measurable impact to surrounding properties from stormwater runoff associated with the construction of the senior center.

Click here to view the report.

6. What is the process for approval of the senior center?

The senior center is an allowed use on this site. This site was identified as non-urban in the Highlands Ranch Planned Development document. A non-urban designation allows uses such as schools, churches, public facilities, daycare centers and utility structures. Tract A, Filing 103B was zoned as open space in accordance with the 1980 Open Space Agreement, and the proposed structure and improvements are an allowed use. Rezoning is not required.

7. Would the existing trail be blocked or eliminated by the development of the senior center?

Site planning would include plans to maintain the trail in this area. The trail might be re-aligned depending on the final design of the project.

8. Will there be traffic impacts near the intersection of Broadway and Highlands Ranch Parkway?

All development within Highlands Ranch requires submittal of a report addressing traffic generated by the improvement to Douglas County for review and approval. Any traffic generated by a senior center will be inconsequential to the design capacity and operation of the adjacent arterial roads.

• Senior Center Community Open House - Feb. 24, 2022
• Highlands Ranch Senior Center FAQs
• Senior Center Planning Postponed Due to COVID-Related Financial Concerns
• Senior Center Site Evaluation October Board Presentation
• Senior Center Site Evaluation Report Board Presentation
• Senior Center Site Evaluation Report
• Action Plan & Progress Report
• Active Adult Services Feasibility Study Final Report
• Active Adult Services Feasibility Study Presentation
• Proposed Programming
• Concept Plan
• Parking Study
• Statement of Intent for Senior Center