Boulder Community Hospital Campus | City of Boulder
1100 Balsam Ave | Boulder, CO
8.8 Acres
355,000 SF
4 Buildings
Policy Recommendation
Financial and Cost Analysis
Affinities Analysis
Stakeholder Outreach
Challenge
The City of Boulder purchased the 8.8 acre former hospital facility with the intention of repurposing the area for both community uses and City services. The large facility had been constructed and assembled over several decades and required a detailed understanding of the re-use capabilities along other site and programing opportunities.
Approach
Early in the City’s purchasing process, Trestle conducted a series of studies and facility planning efforts on the former Boulder Community Hospital (BCH). Trestle conducted a preliminary redevelopment cost estimate and facility use study which provided the City of Boulder confidence to purchase the 8.8 acre former hospital property in 2015, including several buildings and parking structure. Trestle conducted a reuse and rehabilitation versus demolition and reconstruction analysis of the property. By identifying key opportunities, benefits, and challenges of both scenarios, Trestle informed City decision making when evaluating options for future redevelopment of the site.
Trestle is also assisted the City design and implement a community storytelling and public engagement program for the BCH campus (Alpine-Balsam). Trestle and the City opened an onsite public engagement space where community members have the opportunity to share their stories, experiences, and memories of the iconic facility, as well as learn about this multi-year community project. This interactive space provided a platform to engage with the community and guide future visioning and planning efforts for the long term redevelopment of the site.
Finally, Trestle assisted in the envisioning of the BCH campus and future city facilities with Mithun. By acting as a long-term partner in the investigation, design process, and eventual redevelopment of the entire site, Trestle helped establish an additional community asset at the former BCH Campus. As part of a larger consultant team, Trestle worked with the City to develop a vision and guiding principles for the redevelopment.
Results
The City purchased the property in 2015 and has undertaken a community driven area plan to clearly roadmap the reuse, redevelopment, and programming of the former BCH property.