On May 14, CU Boulder paid Regal Cinemas Inc. $10 million for the 8.85-acre property at the junction of U.S. 36 and McCaslin Boulevard, according to Boulder County records. The property was previously a Regal Cinebarre movie theater.
CU Boulder wants to create more on-campus and transit-oriented housing options, reducing pressure on the local housing market, vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions. The university envisions a mixed-use, transit-oriented development that includes housing for faculty, staff and possibly graduate students. The University of Colorado Board of Regents approved the project in November 2023.
“We continue to be responsive to the voices of our students, faculty and staff, as well as the broader community, as we take a holistic approach to addressing needs around housing,” CU Boulder Chief Operating Officer Patrick O’Rourke said. “We are appreciative of the regents for sharing in this approach and their willingness to invest in diverse strategies that support student success, as well as the retention and success of our faculty and staff.”
1164 W. Dillon is a strategic acquisition for future university use that presents an excellent opportunity for housing and transit-oriented, mixed-use redevelopment that can help reactivate the McCaslin corridor.
Shared values:
- Community vitality: CU Boulder anticipates this property becoming a model for transit-oriented development that complements Louisville planning efforts. The university will begin discussions with City of Louisville leaders and the community to inform the future of the site.
- Housing equity: In addition to housing attainable to faculty, staff and possibly graduate students, the campus hopes to establish dedicated housing units that are affordable and intends to collaborate with local and regional organizations that specialize in this housing type.
- Sustainability: The location at McCaslin and 36 make 1164 W. Dillon an excellent spot for walkable, transit-oriented development that reduces vehicle miles traveled and carbon emissions. All CU Boulder faculty, staff and students receive RTD EcoPasses.
CU Boulder will host a visioning session on July 25 to engage Louisville community members in identifying redevelopment possibilities for the site.
The event will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Louisville Rec Center located at 900 Via Appia Way Louisville, CO 80027. Those who wish to attend can register online.
A plan for development is expected to be completed by December 2025, and CU Boulder will continue to engage with city of Louisville leaders and community members as the city’s comprehensive planning process occurs and plans for the site take shape.
