Construction crews are already on the ground at the southwest corner of Montview Boulevard, turning the quiet shell of the former Johnson & Wales University campus into a new affordable housing complex.
The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) has accelerated the timeline for this Uptown project, filing a rapid sequence of permits to break ground months ahead of the typical municipal schedule. This aggressive pace signals a coordinated effort to convert underutilized educational assets into housing before the city's infill pipeline stalls further.
Between April 9 and April 24, 2026, the DHA submitted 30 new permit applications in a single two-week sprint. These filings cover the site at Denver Housing Authority (ZIP 80202) and reflect a broader citywide pivot where nearly 500 permits and over 450 licenses have been processed in early 2026 alone. The sheer volume of activity suggests the Uptown campus is a key node in a larger strategy to repurpose vacant commercial and educational properties.
Financial backing is moving in lockstep with the physical construction. In March 2026, the City Council approved a $1.7 million loan for 23 affordable for-sale units at 4801 W 10th Ave, while a separate $1.518 million agreement cleared funding for a project near Cowell Elementary. Additionally, a $7.5 million loan was secured earlier this year for 150 rental units at 5375 W 10th Ave. These distinct funding streams demonstrate a multi-pronged approach targeting both rental and for-sale markets across Central Denver.
The DHA, partnering with Denver Public Schools and the Urban Land Conservance, acquired the Montview site to create a mixed-use community. This initiative arrives as the pipeline for new infill projects in Central Denver has reached a historic low, making the rapid mobilization of these records particularly critical for addressing displacement pressures.
Residents can track the project's progress by monitoring upcoming building inspections and zoning variance hearings as the site transitions from permitting to active construction. Further filings regarding the specific unit mix and completion dates for the Uptown campus are expected in the next quarter. For more details on this filing, visit the city portal.