One of the few assisted living facilities in central Denver may be sold and demolished, and Councilman Rafael Espinoza is urging the city government to take action.
The site of Golden Manor on West Colfax Avenue was listed over the summer for sale by Colliers International, the real-estate broker.
Along with a neighboring property, it was listed as a "redevelopment opportunity" in a "rapidly gentrifying neighborhood." The site is just south of the Sloan's Lake redevelopment area.
Part of the listing has since been removed, but a brochure describing the land is still on the company's website.
"Our buyer is still moving forward with the project. He has a few different development scenarios we are working on," wrote Jay Landt, a senior vice president for Colliers, in an email to Denverite.
Espinoza urged city staff to consider buying the property, which can hold up to 70 beds for seniors and people with disabilities, including people who receive assistance from the Medicaid government health program. He was referring to the fact that the city is in the process of buying a strip club and has purchased another property on East Colfax.
"So, if you’re looking for an opportunity, here’s an area that there are real lives that will be displaced. On a street with shallow parcels, here’s a huge opportunity," Espinoza said, referring to the fact that the land stretches farther back than many parcels on Colfax, making it a more desirable and flexible property for potential developers.
Ronald Saykaly has owned the land since 1991, when the current assisted-living facility got its start, according to property records. However, the 30,000-square-foot facility was built in 1962.
A parking lot just east of Golden Manor, also owned by Saykaly, was included in the sale listing.
Golden Manor's management did not immediately return requests for comment on Monday and last week.
