Page 19 - Denver, CO Adaptive Reuse Program

Promotes sustainable development
Adaptively reusing a building promotes sustainable development
practices by conserving existing resources. Rather than demolish-
ing the building, which results in sending the pieces to a landfill,
and building a new structure, the existing building (along with the
site features and public infrastructure) is reused. While Denver’s
current sustainability policies do not address adaptive reuse direct-
ly, it is a well-known sustainable practice elsewhere.

Administrative Benefits
A coordinated adaptive reuse program may reduce staff time
in working with applicants that require special consideration in
permitting requirements. While the program would involve estab-
lishing a new coordinator position, other staff time may be used
more effectively as a result of an improved system. Providing more
guidance about ways in which flexibility may be applied in various
departments and clearly defining the steps in the process could
expedite problem-solving and thereby save staff time. And, if more
of the projects requiring exceptions through variances or appeals
can be relegated to a Zoning Administrator, the staff time required
to take these matters to boards and commissions may be reduced.

Adaptive Reuse Strategy Paper 15