St. Charles Town Co., which redeveloped the Lowenstein Theater on East Colfax Avenue in Denver, is turning its attention to the Church in the City property across the street.
The congregation is moving to a new location at East 16th Avenue and Gaylord Street.
Charlie Woolley, head of St. Charles Town Co., said the current church site will be turned into a mixed-use development, offering a combination of residential apartments and retail.
Residents of the surrounding neighborhoods are being invited to voice their opinions and concerns about the project and the planned relocation of the church at a meeting next week.
Woolley said the meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at the current church location, 1530 Josephine St., is intended to answer questions from residents.
“We wanted to give everybody an update,” Woolley said. “It’s a high-profile project in the community, and there are a lot of questions. We are hoping to present our conceptual plans.”
Pastor Michael Walker of Church in the City said he and the congregation are looking forward to their relocation in 2009 because the future spot — an empty 110-year-old synagogue — has more space to offer more programs to church and community patrons.
Woolley didn’t offer additional details of the planned development but said zoning rules and market conditions have to be taken into account before settling on the specific types of apartments and stores in the complex.
Gerald Trumbule, a local resident for 38 years who lives about half a block away from the synagogue where Church in the City is relocating, said he plans to attend next week’s meeting and is happy about the developments taking place, as the synagogue building has been empty for quite some time.
But some of his neighbors have voiced concerns about Church in the City moving closer to their homes, he said, referring to some of the church’s programs designed to offer assistance to the city’s homeless.
“I was surprised by the vitriolic nature of the attacks (on the church),” Trumbule said. “(Walker) is definitely a force for good in the neighborhood. I remember when people would be afraid to come to my house because it’s so close to Colfax.”
Walker said Thursday’s meeting will be his first opportunity to address residents and their concerns.
Kimberly S. Johnson: 303-954-1088 or kjohnson@denverpost.com
