Denver-based developer Westside Investment Partners is looking to buy 18 holes worth of grass and trees from the George W. Clayton Trust in Park Hill. The parties plan to close July 11, according to a letter sent from the trust to city officials.
The Park Hill Golf Club sits on the land, which has doubled as a battlefield for various players with different agendas.
Clayton Early Learning, which manages the trust, wants more funding for its education programs than the golf club offers. National company Arcis Golf leases the land under the Park Hill Golf Club moniker.
The Hancock administration looked to buy the land for development in 2017. That deal stalled after Arcis said it intended to renew its lease and filed a lawsuit asserting its right to match the city's offer.
Westside Investment Partners and the Clayton Trust released a joint, brief statement Wednesday to set the record straight about the negotiations for the 155-acre plat.
"There were some rumors floating around about this topic," spokeswoman Susan Hagar told Denverite.
The land became a political symbol during the municipal election season. Some candidates and supporters wanted to maintain as much grassland as possible and fight new development, while other candidates and supporters wanted the land for homes, businesses and other uses, including parks.
Clayton has notified the city of its intent to officially end negotiations in favor of pursuing a sale with the private developer.
"As part of their due diligence, Clayton has filed the appropriate and lawful notice with the City of Denver for termination of the Agency Agreement pertaining to the property's title," the release states.
Westside Investment Partners buys, develops and sells land all over the West. It's currently working on redeveloping the Loretto Heights campus in southwest Denver.
