Grants Awarded
Fruitdale Elementary School
Jefferson County
This project addresses Phase II restoration work at Fruitdale School which was originally designed by noted Denver architect Temple Buell.
The property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, including the original 1927 school building, 1930 custodian residence, and 1954 addition. The 1.4-acre site was purchased by the Wheat Ridge Housing Authority (WRHA) in 2011 after Jefferson County Public Schools decommissioned the school and scheduled demolition. The buildings have been vacant since 2007 and are in extreme disrepair.
The Wheat Ridge Housing Authority is working with Hartman Ely Investments to rehabilitate the structures for 16 apartments. The project was approved in June 2016 for historic preservation tax credits. Phase I will include interior rehabilitation, exterior work on the 1930/1954 portions of the property, and site improvements. This grant will assist with Phase II and will fund critical exterior restoration including masonry repair, original skylight restoration, and in-kind exterior window/door restoration or replacement.
Fruitdale School Hart Award video