Montbello Organizing Committee board members, Denver City Council members, and Mayor Michael Hancock at Thursday's groundbreaking of the new Montbello FreshLo Hub.
The Montbello Organizing Committee spoke with about 2,500 people in the Montbello community about what they wanted to see in their neighborhood; access to food.
That's what the Montbello FreshLo Hub is offering: an affordable grocery store. But, it doesn't stop there.
A Cultural Arts and Education Center, 97-units of affordable housing, mental health services, and retail and non-profit space will be developed on the former R-T-D Park and Ride site at 12444 East Albrook Drive.
There is something else making this affordable housing development unique.
"This is a development led by the community instead of it being a developer that bought up land and then deciding what kind of vision they want," said Donna Garnett, chief executive officer for Montbello Organizing Committee.
The project has been in the works for years now. Back in 2017 when the committee received a planning grant, they knew they wanted to bring access to healthy food and arts and culture to improve health outcomes.
Couple that vision with an opportunity and you get an all hands on deck housing project.
The grocery store coming to the FreshLo Hub is partnering with Daily Table.
"Being able to secure a non-profit mission driven grocery store is one of the many milestones for this project," Garnett said. Their mission is to get healthy, nutritious, affordable food to people in food deserts."
The grocery store is meant for the people living at the FreshLo Hub but anyone in or out of the community can shop there when it opens at the end of the year.
The committee worked with the Colorado Black Arts Movement, FreshLo/ARTS (Artists, Residents, Teachers, Students) local artists, and Denver Public Schools to develop the design for the Arts and Education Center as well as the programming that will be offered.
WellPower, formerly Mental Health Center of Denver, will be providing mental health services in the six-story building.
Some of those services include yoga classes, grief support, youth programs, and classes to learn more about food preparation and healthy eating.
While the project is in phase one of building, applications for eligible residents will begin at the end of the year, and units should be leased up by the end of 2024.
"I'm proud and I think our board is very proud," Garnett said. And what we hear all around the country is people asking us how did you do this?"
She said the project is meant to preserve the community and have the space for residents living there now.
'"It's development without dislocation," Garnett said.
This story is part of a recurring series from our Report for America Reporter Emily Capetillo about housing in Denver. Follow her on Twitter @emilycapetillo or send an email at emilycapetillo@iheartmedia.com. For more information on how to donate to Report for America, contact the KOA Newsroom at 303-713-8500.