UPDATE: On Monday, Feb. 3, the Denver City Council OK'd the developer's request to build homes and retail on the site. The vote was unanimous.
A homebuilder wants to put a three-story development on a plot of land currently occupied by Calvary Temple Christian Church and its parking lots at 4338 Lipan St. in Sunnyside.
If the Denver City Council approves a request for new building parameters for the site, at 44th Avenue and Lipan Street, it will eventually host homes with "neighborhood-serving commercial uses" on the ground floor, according to city documents.
Developer Billy Wang envisions small apartments on top of some type of business.
"We would probably do a little corner area where there's retail, maybe a bookstore that sells ice cream and coffee," Wang said.
Wang will "incorporate affordability" into his project, he said.
The church has a little more than a year and a half left on its lease, according to Wang, who has owned the property since 2017. He does not have a timeline on construction.
Calvary Temple Christian Church did not respond to interview requests.
A three-story mixed-use building aligns with adopted plans for the area, according to the Denver Planning Board, which unanimously advanced the rezoning request to City Council. The council's development committee will consider the request Tuesday.
Wang said he presented his ideas to Sunnyside United Neighbors in December.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that construction would begin when the church's lease ends. Wang does not have a start date.
