Analysis of multiple sites for future affordable housing projects in Leadville, CO

In the Spring of 2022, Shape was awarded a contract through the City of Leadville, Colorado to analyze multiple sites for future affordable housing projects. We worked with the city, the county, a Land Advisory Council, the Leadville Planning and Zoning Commission, public and private property owners and other community members. The outcome was to make recommendations on specific sites so that the city could strategically apply for DOLA funding for site utility infrastructure costs.

Our process:

We orchestrated a preliminary community charette where we gathered information, conducted a survey and provided graphics that allowed for community input. We also conducted preliminary site research on zoning, utilities and topography. We synthesized community input and defined top priorities from a site and building design perspective. We then provided a schematic design for(4) different sites with vastly different site characteristics that embodied community priorities; this culminated in infrastructure grant applications for state and federal grant funding. The success of this phase has since lead to moving forward into the Concept Design Process for two of the sites, one of which is the Cosmic Properties Site. We held a second community meeting where we presented our designs and preliminary site infrastructure costs. We had many exciting conversations with community members and refined our designs based on this meeting. Finally, we presented our findings to the City Council and made recommendations for each site. The city of Leadville and SCEDD (Southern Colorado Economic Development District) have taken that feedback and are now in the process of grant funding.