Government & Politics  October 23, 2019

Senior living community proposal at former Fruehauf’s site moving forward

BOULDER — A plan to redevelop the former Fruehauf’s furniture store in Boulder into a residential community is moving ahead after a decision Tuesday night by city leaders not to call the project up for further scrutiny. 

That move — or lack of a move — by city council effectively rubber-stamps a previous Boulder Planning Board approval of the development, which seeks to build 106 permanently affordable apartments for seniors at the roughly 1.6-acre 1665 33rd St. site. 

Fruehauf’s moved from that location in 2018 and opened a new store in Westminster. 

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Academy Senior Living is planning to build a 106-unit residential community at the former Fruehauf’s furniture store site in Boulder. Courtesy Boulder planning documents.

“The proposed project supports a diverse and sustainable economy by providing residential options for a growing demographic of seniors in the community,” Boulder planning documents say. 

Apartments would be available to seniors who earn 60 percent or less of the annual median income in Boulder, which is more than $64,000.

The proposal, which would be owned and operated by Academy Senior Living LLC,  calls for 100 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units, along with “café and restaurant, fitness room, wellness center, centralized gathering spaces, and gardening opportunities,” according to planning documents. 

Academy currently owns and operates a supervised senior community on University Hill and has been approved to build another at 311 Mapleton Ave.

The project on 33rd Street is unique in that residents won’t be allowed to keep cars on site. Rather, residents will have access to shuttle service and electric car and bike sharing programs.

Boulder city leaders called on Academy to take steps to ensure the project is built using the highest quality standards so it can serve as an example for future redevelopment. 

“Having this [project] lift up the area will give other properties nearby something to look to as they redevelop,” Councilman Sam Weaver said. “I think its is a really interesting and cool project.”

BOULDER — A plan to redevelop the former Fruehauf’s furniture store in Boulder into a residential community is moving ahead after a decision Tuesday night by city leaders not to call the project up for further scrutiny. 

That move — or lack of a move — by city council effectively rubber-stamps a previous Boulder Planning Board approval of the development, which seeks to build 106 permanently affordable apartments for seniors at the roughly 1.6-acre 1665 33rd St. site. 

Fruehauf’s moved from that location in 2018 and opened a new store in Westminster. 

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Lucas High
A Maryland native, Lucas has worked at news agencies from Wyoming to South Carolina before putting roots down in Colorado.
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