Posted on: April 7, 2022
Mile High United Way Early Childhood Education Center breaks ground alongside affordable apartments on Colfax
Source: Mercy Housing
The Groundbreaking Celebrates and Demonstrates How Cities, Counties and Communities Can Work Together to Serve Families in Denver
DENVER (April 7, 2022) – Today, Mercy Housing Mountain Plains, Mile High United Way, the City and County of Denver, and others celebrated the groundbreaking of The Rose on Colfax. This new, mixed-use development has 82 affordable homes and will be home to the Mile High United Way Early Childhood Education Center on the first level of the building. Funding for the early childhood education center is possible, in part, through Mile High United Way donors and the investment of philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott, who announced a $20 million investment in Mile High United Way last year.
The Rose on Colfax is possible thanks to collaboration between Mercy Housing Mountain Plains, the City and County of Denver and Mile High Early Learning and aims to solve two major affordability issues facing Colorado families: housing and childcare affordability.
“I am honored to be here today celebrating the groundbreaking of the Rose on Colfax and announcing the new Mile High United Way Early Childhood Education Center,” said Christine Benero, president and CEO of Mile High United Way. “This is a long-term partnership that will provide wraparound support to serve our community, the residents and their children for years to come. This is just one example of the transformative investments in early childhood education Mile High United Way will continue to make.”
Earlier this month, Mile High United Way announced an $8 million investment in five long-term community partnerships and projects, Mercy Housing being one. This new development is an example of how partners can collaborate to provide services that families in Denver need. Mercy Housing Mountain Plains, Mile High United Way, Mile High Early Learning and the City and County of Denver’s ability to work together will enable over 80 families to have affordable homes located near quality early childhood education. The building will be completed by Alliance Construction.
“The Rose on Colfax will support families in Denver, by creating homes and supporting their children’s development through the Mile High United Way Early Childhood Education Center,” said Dee Walsh, executive vice president and COO, Mercy Housing. “We couldn’t be happier to partner with so many amazing organizations on this transformational development.”
Representatives from Mile High United Way and Mercy Housing Mountain Plains were joined by Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Councilman Christopher Herndon, Britta Fisher, chief housing officer, Department of Housing Stability, and Dr. Pamela Harris, president and CEO, Mile High Early Learning.
About Mile High United Way
Working side-by-side with the community, Mile High United Way takes on critical human services issues facing our seven-county footprint including the Metro Denver, Boulder and Broomfield communities. Our united approach changes the odds for all children, families, and individuals in our community, so that we all have the opportunity to succeed. Learn more at unitedwaydenver.org and follow us on social media @UnitedWayDenver.
The Rose on Colfax | Denver, CO
The Rose on Colfax at 8315 East Colfax is a .82 acre, 81 unit affordable family-oriented dwelling redevelopment of an obsolete adult club site. The site is located along a major transportation corridor within the East Colfax Neighborhood, a mixed-use urban district. A five-story building fronts the primary public access streets, and steps back at the 5th and 3rd levels at the side and rear property lines respecting the adjacent lower scale context. 68 parking spaces are located at the ground floor level. A large landscaped and secure courtyard is enclosed by the L shaped building. This courtyard contains a playground for resident children and a community outdoor kitchen.
Approximately 5,500 square feet of ground-floor space will house an early childhood education center (ECE). Over 2,000 square feet of covered outdoor play space will be provided that allows for year-round exercise and activity for the children, toddlers, and infants. Services will be provided by Mercy Housing for all residents and wrap-around services will be provided to the children attending the ECE and their families.
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