Greyhound Park Empowerment

Greyhound Empowerment Complex: Expanding Access in Denver Area

Expanding housing options for low-income individuals was at the heart of the new Greyhound Empowerment complex in Commerce City, CO.

This $10.3 million, 46,000 SF project features a 50-unit multi-family dwelling with a second level post tension concrete deck, amenity space, dog park, and a fenced garden/landscape area for tenants to enjoy.

The development was coordinated in conjunction with The Empowerment Program, a Denver-based nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing to cisgender and transgender women who are in disadvantaged positions due to incarceration, homelessness, poverty, illness, and/or involvement in the criminal justice system.

The facility’s exterior includes EIFS and brick exterior facade. The project has a nice garden/landscape area with radius concrete edgers, cast-in-place concrete benches, and pavers.

Inside, the common area features nice pendant fixtures with a granite countertop community kitchen. Finishes throughout were basic knockdown textured drywall with light-colored paint and accent walls at unit entries.

This project also offered a unique opportunity for creative innovation. The foundation featured rammed aggregate piers for soil stabilization and was the first project in Crossland’s Colorado division to use this method.

The main challenge on this project stemmed from delays in obtaining the building permit, which was issued after the podium deck was placed. Although we secured a foundation-only permit to proceed with constructing the podium deck and CMU towers, utility installation could not begin until the building was nearly fully framed. This delay significantly impacted the exterior schedule, requiring adjustments and a compressed timeline to meet the turnover date.

Landscaping presented another challenge as productivity issues with the landscaping contractor left the site unfinished. To ensure the project was ready for the grand opening, a team of 15 Crossland employees stepped in to place rock mulch, going above and beyond to complete the work on time. Additionally, Crossland organized and supported a volunteer landscaping event, which was required for the owner to receive a landscaping grant. This work, completed out of sequence, demonstrated the team’s adaptability and commitment to meeting the owner’s needs.

Given the tight budget, the project manager played a pivotal role in keeping costs under control. Through meticulous planning, detailed documentation, and consistent follow-up on contracts, submittals, and shop drawings, the team maintained progress despite the challenges. These efforts culminated in a successful project and a high-quality final product.

Project Facts

Industry Sector: Hospitality, Multi-Family
Cost: $10,600,000
Size: 46,207 SF
Number of Units: 50
Delivery Method: Negotiated
Owner: Delwest Development Corp.
Architect: Santulan Architecture