About six years ago, the Urban Land Conservancy purchased a six-acre industrial lot, that spreads from 48th and Race to 48th and Gaylord, in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood.
The real estate nonprofit asked residents what they'd like to see on the site and the answers were unsurprising:
- Affordable housing -- need in an area poised for gentrification;
- A grocery store because the area has been a food desert for decades;
- And more access to healthcare.
A quick Google search of healthcare providers in the 80216 zip code doesn't have many results, but at the top of the list is one place that's been providing the neighborhood with healthcare needs since 1995: Tepeyac Community Health Center.
So, when the ULC was looking for something to anchor their new development, while also keeping in mind residents' request, Tepeyac made the cut in 2018.
Fast forward to today and Tepeyac's new health center is expected to open in January, which will serve about 37,000 patients, up from 20,000. That will triple the healthcare access in the neighborhood.
"We met a need when we started here, and the demand just kept growing," said Center CEO Jim Garcia. "There's a need for integrated services, with medical, mental health, dental health, a pharmacy. When the Urban Land Conservancy approached us and asked if we'd be interested in being part of a larger project that included housing and fresh food space, that resonated right away."
So far, the housing portion of the project has been completed. Viña Apartments is an 150-unit complex offering studios through three bedrooms near RTD's N line station. Half of the units are for those earning between 30% and 50% of the area median income, or salary ranges of $22,050 to $36,700 for a single person. The remaining units will be available for those making up to 80% AMI, or $55,950 for a single person.
According to the leasing agency, there are about eight units left for those making 80% AMI, two studios and the rest one bedrooms.
As for the grocer, they're set to open in January as well.
The market will be run by Shabasa Sayers and his daughter, Anjanet. Sayers previously said the market will be affordable to residents and will potentially offer food on a "pay-what-you-want" basis one day a week. They'll be getting their produce from East Denver Food Hub.
A taqueria, Tacos El Huequito, will also open up on the site.
But back to the healthcare portion.
Tepeyac had some humble beginnings. Initially the provider was known as Clínica Tepeyac and had an 800 square foot space on Kalamath Street in the Highland neighborhood with just two exam rooms. That increased to 10 rooms when they moved to a 6,000 SQ FT space on Lincoln in Globeville.
At the new center, which sits on the corner of 48th and Vine, one wing of the facility holds 10 exam rooms. Tepeyac's space has quadrupled in size going from that 6,000 SQ to about 24,500 SQ.
During a tour of the facility Tuesday, Kristin Weber, director of major gifts for Tepeyac, and Dr. Pam Valenza, Tepeyac's chief medical officer, told a group of stakeholders what the organization intends to do with the extra space.
With the bigger space, Tepeyac will expand its dental service. Currently, they have one dental chair in the clinic and a mobile dental unit. The new space will house six chairs.
"They've been doing some truly back breaking work, working with patients out of a two-room clinic with the mobile unit. They've been able to see almost 2,000 patients this year alone despite the space," said Dr. Valenza.
Tepeyac's mental and behavioral health services will also be expanded to host more group therapy sessions and other forms of therapy such as art therapy and healing circles.
The new center will have a bigger lab and radiology operations. Weber said these additional services make it easier for patients because they will be able to complete their health needs with fewer trips to different locations.
One of the biggest components of the clinic will be the pharmacy, the biggest need and want in the area according to a community health survey.
According to Google Maps, the nearest pharmacy is a Walgreens on Colorado Boulevard, a 10-minute drive or a 44 minute walk from the center.
"This is something that's missing in this neighborhood," Weber said. "There isn't a pharmacy. There also isn't a grocer. That's part of the growth with this project, bringing in access to high quality care, bringing in fresh food and a market where there has not been a grocery store in this neighborhood for 50 years and to bring in affordable housing. It's a whole package deal."
Tepeyac recently announced the public phase of their funding campaign, where they're looking to secure all the capital needed for the $13 million project.
Garcia said the funding is going to be used to complete the center and continue operations. To date, the center has raised about $9.6 million. On Tuesday, Intermountain Healthcare, formerly known as SCL Health, presented Tepeyac with a $250,000 grant.
"Our Intermountain Saint Joseph's Hospital views its community partners as an extension of its ongoing mission, to help people live the healthiest lives possible," said Tiffany Capeles, Intermountain's chief equity officer. "The Tepeyac Community Health Center is a valued partner who is tuned in to and understands the cultural dynamics and necessary services that directly touch the lives of the communities it serves."
To also help with the funding, Tepeyac is hosting a gala, Fiesta on the Plaza, on November 2. Individual tickets are $150.
Garcia said he's looking forward to the completion of Tepeyac, along with the grocery store and taqueria. He said the development adds to the health of the neighborhood both physically and mentally.
"A healthy community is beyond what happens in the exam room or in the dental chair," Garcia said. "We want to be an organization that serves this community and pays attention to the broader needs, the social determinants of health. That's having housing, a safe place to play, to walk. With this project, we're part of a much larger response to what the community has been asking for. What we're offering with the integration of mental health, pharmacy, radiology service, expanded lab service, is what the community has been asking for and we'll continue to see if there's any other services the community needs and we'll be responsive to that."
