Emory Project Timeline

Project Timeline

  • Summer 2023: The Jefferson County School District made the difficult decision to identify a number of schools for closure, and Emory was identified on this list. As part of this process, Jeffco Public Schools offered the public opportunities to share their thoughts, sign up to receive updates and attend engagement meetings. The district also created a Property Disposition Advisory Committee as outlined on the district’s Property Disposition webpage.

     

  • Nov. 23, 2023: The Jefferson County School Board approved the surplus designation for Emory Elementary School. In designating the school as surplus property, the district sought to transfer ownership to entities such as Lakewood that could continue to use the property to build community in a manner that will support Jeffco Public School students and their families.

     

  • 2024: Emory entered the Municipal Interest Process that is part of the Jeffco Public School’s Property Disposition Process. This allows cities the first right of refusal in expressing interest in acquiring a surplus property in their jurisdictions.

    As outlined in the Municipal Interest Flow Chart, the school district engaged with Lakewood to understand its interest in surplus properties in Lakewood. The Action Center indicated its interest in the surplus properties located in Lakewood as well because the Action Center’s Board of Directors has been focused on creating a long-term vision for the center’s future. Because the Emory property was following the Municipal Interest process, district leadership connected the Action Center and Lakewood officials.

    • Lakewood engaged in the discussion because it sees both the Action Center and Jeffco Public Schools as important community partners that serve and support the needs of Lakewood residents and families. During the discussions, city staff worked to establish a vision for the purchase of the property that targeted the following goals:
      • Using property in support of Jeffco Public School students and families.
      • Supporting the values and priorities of the Lakewood City Council.
      • Addressing growing areas of need in the community.

  • April 28, 2025: With tentative terms reached and as shown on the Municipal Interest Flow Chart, the request to purchase the property was brought to City Council for approval. City Council authorized the city to declare its intent to purchase the 17 acres of the former Emory Elementary School for municipal purposes for no more than $4 million. This action gave the city manager the ability to negotiate and execute a contract to purchase the property and to take such further action as is necessary to carry out this transaction.
    • It also continued the discussion about the use of the 10 acres focused on community partnerships to support Jeffco Public Schools families. The discussion included the Action Center, which for nearly 60 years has provided family assistance along with rental, utility, school supplies and food and clothing assistance, particularly for families who have children attending Jeffco Public Schools.

       

  • July-September 2025: The Action Center met with neighbors immediately adjacent to the Emory property on July 22 to discuss the center’s vision for the Commons to serve families to open at the former school. The Action Center also attended ward meetings in every ward, and it also had community meetings on Aug. 27 and Sept. 17 for any community member to attend. These meetings were promoted in the city’s communications channels to residents.

     

  • October 2025: Items related the city purchasing the Emory property will be brought to City Council on Oct. 13 for setting of the public hearing date and on Oct. 27 for the public hearing.
    • During the public hearing, City Council will be asked to take action authorizing the following:
      • The city to sell 10 acres that include the building and the parking lot to the Action Center.
      • The city to retain ownership of the 7 acres for municipal purposes.
      • The city to buy the Action Center properties at 8745 and 8755 W. 14th Ave.
      • The city to lease the properties at 8745 and 8755 W. 14th Ave. to the Action Center for several years.

 

  • December 2025: The closing on these transactions is expected to occur in December if City Council approves the October agenda items.
    • Prior to the closing, Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education will take action on the transactions involving the Emory property.
    • The closing will also execute a deed restriction that limits the use of the 10 acres for a family resource center and the 7 acres for municipal uses.
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