LAKEWOOD, CO — A large portion of underutilized state-owned property along West 17th Avenue in Lakewood could be transformed into a mixed-income residential community featuring nearly 200 homes, childcare facilities, artist studios, and new public gathering spaces.
Known as ArtLine Village, the proposed redevelopment is being advanced through a public-private partnership between the State of Colorado, Metro West Housing Solutions, and Oakwood Homes. The project would redevelop portions of the former state office campus near West 17th Avenue, Reed Street, and Pierce Street, just north of West Colfax Avenue.
The development would introduce approximately 120 income-restricted rental apartments alongside 70 to 80 attainable and affordable for-sale homes, creating a neighborhood designed to accommodate households across a range of income levels.
The property is part of a larger state-owned campus historically used by the Colorado Department of Revenue and Division of Motor Vehicles. In 2022, Colorado established its Public-Private Partnership Collaboration Unit through Senate Bill 22-130, creating a process for identifying and redeveloping underutilized state properties for housing, childcare, and other community-serving uses.
In March 2025, the State of Colorado issued a competitive Request for Proposals seeking development teams interested in transforming the Lakewood property. Metro West Housing Solutions and Oakwood Homes were subsequently selected as development partners, with the state announcing the partnership in February 2026.
ArtLine Village would be developed across two primary residential parcels separated by Reed Street, each offering a different type of housing.
On the eastern portion of the site, between Reed and Pierce streets, Metro West Housing Solutions is proposing approximately 120 affordable rental apartments distributed across seven three-story buildings. The apartments would offer a combination of one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans serving households earning between 30% and 70% of the area median income.
Rather than organizing the development around traditional apartment blocks and surface parking, the conceptual site plan incorporates the property's existing mature trees into a network of landscaped courtyards, pedestrian pathways, and shared outdoor spaces.
At the center of the rental community, plans call for an approximately 8,000-square-foot community and amenity building featuring artist studios, childcare space, a fitness center, and leasing offices. Additional amenities would include a clubroom, gallery space, outdoor event plaza, and children's play areas.
Across Reed Street, Oakwood Homes is proposing approximately 70 to 80 for-sale homes, primarily arranged in paired or duplex-style buildings. This portion of the development would provide several floor plan options intended to complement the surrounding single-family and townhome neighborhoods.
The homeownership component is designed to accommodate buyers across different income levels, with a focus on households earning approximately 80% to 120% of the area median income.
Elevation Community Land Trust is also participating in the project to expand access to affordable homeownership. Through its land trust model, eligible buyers could purchase homes at reduced costs while the organization retains ownership of the underlying land, helping preserve affordability over time.
Childcare is another major component of the proposed development. In addition to the larger childcare facility planned within the rental community, Oakwood Homes intends to reserve two homes specifically designed to accommodate licensed home-based childcare providers.
The initiative is being developed in collaboration with Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), with the goal of supporting both childcare access and homeownership opportunities for local providers.
One of the project's defining features is its planned integration with the existing 40 West ArtLine, a four-mile walking and bicycling arts route connecting neighborhoods, parks, transit stations, and cultural destinations throughout Lakewood's 40 West Arts District.
The development would introduce a winding pedestrian ArtWalk extending across both residential parcels, connecting outdoor gathering areas, public art installations, and surrounding streets. The proposal also incorporates opportunities for additional art displays and creative spaces reflecting the neighborhood's established arts identity.
Preservation of existing trees has also been identified as a design priority. The development team intends to retain as many mature trees as feasible while accommodating new buildings, infrastructure, emergency access, and stormwater management requirements.
The development remains in the planning and entitlement process. Project representatives presented the proposal to the West Colfax Community Association on September 16, 2026, followed by additional community engagement opportunities and a neighborhood meeting on October 8.
The proposed redevelopment requires separate zoning changes for each parcel, transitioning the property from its existing employment-oriented zoning designation to districts accommodating residential and neighborhood-serving uses.
Additional development review, public hearings, and municipal approvals will be required before construction can proceed. The project's published timeline identifies 2027 to 2028 as the anticipated period for construction to begin, although that schedule remains dependent on approvals, financing, and infrastructure availability.
If completed as proposed, ArtLine Village would introduce a combination of affordable rental housing, new homeownership opportunities, childcare services, and publicly accessible gathering spaces while expanding the surrounding 40 West ArtLine arts corridor.
Development Team:
State Property Partner: State of Colorado - Public-Private Partnership (P3) Office
Affordable Housing Developer: Metro West Housing Solutions
Homebuilder: Oakwood Homes
Community Land Trust: Elevation Community Land Trust
Childcare and Education Partner: Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC)
Arts and Trail Partner: 40 West Arts / 40 West ArtLine
Community Engagement: The Pachner Company
Planning and Design Consultants: RATIO and Terracina Design
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All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.
7 minute read • ArtLine Village could bring nearly 200 homes, childcare facilities, artist studios, and public spaces to former state-owned land in Lakewood.