Aspen Grove Proposal: Deliberation Set For Tuesday

LITTLETON, CO — Littleton City Council scheduled a special meeting Tuesday on proposed changes to the Aspen Grove shopping center. The deliberation will include a vote and discussion after the city received many comments on the proposal during a public hearing Oct. 5.

The 'Newton Property General Planned Development Plan at Aspen Grove' has undergone several amendments. Owners aim to turn Aspen Grove into a 'lifestyle center' to keep shopping afloat as many turn to online retail, owners said. In-person shopping has slumped and left the center struggling.

The Gerrity Group, which owns Aspen Grove, is seeking a new zoning permit that would allow mixed-use housing and retail. Aspen Grove's south parking lot and some stores would be redesigned to include residential streets and curbside parking. Up to 2,000 rental units — including apartments, town homes and multi-family units — would be constructed.

The latest plan also includes the extension of building heights up to 7 stories (85 feet tall). A minimum of 125,000 square feet of commercial space would be kept on the property, according to the plan overview.

"We expect the residential component to be primarily multi-family," the 'Reimagine Aspen Grove' website reads. "We do not know at this time whether the residential component will be for sale or for rent, but we expect some combination of the two."

The Gerrity Group said it aims to offer new interactive spaces, improved connections to transit and new access to parks and trails for Littleton residents.

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During the Oct. 5 public hearing, many Littleton residents expressed concern over traffic issues that already plague the Aspen Grove area. Better access to mass transit would help to solve the traffic issues, the Garrity Group and city officials said.

Owners said it could take years to develop plans with the city and community members.

The Aspen Grove shopping center opened two decades ago, and it's been owned by the Gerrity Group since 2016.

Tuesday's City Council meeting will air live on Comcast, CenturyLink Channel 8, live on Facebook, or on the Channel 8 web page.

>> More information about the City Council meeting agenda can be found here.