Agenda Date: 10/14/2025
Subject:
Title
Bemis House Restoration Potential Partnership with Rotary Club of Littleton
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Mike Gent, Deputy City Manager |
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Presentations: |
Zach Frederick, Heidi Krabacher-Taylor, and Dale Cochran - Rotary Club of Littleton |
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Pablo Undurraga, JPU Architects |
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Gene Greene, Studio Greene Architecture + Preservation |
PURPOSE:
Rotary of Littleton approached the city about partnering to preserve and restore the historical Bemis House and expand the community use of this property; this agenda item shares the discussions thus far and potential next steps.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Vibrant Community with a Rich Culture; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The city has owned the Bemis House located at 5890 Bemis Street since it was gifted to the city in 1970 by the Bemis Family. In 2022, Rotary Club of Littleton approached the city about partnering to preserve and revitalize Bemis House, as well as creating additional meeting space on this property to support the civic work of the Rotary club and other similar community-based groups. Since that time, club members have discussed possible conceptual design as well as fund-raising strategies that could be used to move this potential partnership forward.
City staff agrees that historical preservation and restoration efforts for the Bemis House are needed, and this common goal is a critical component of a potential partnership. As the existing residential building is a designated historic landmark, elements of this proposed project likely could be subject to the city’s historical preservation process, including review and evaluation of appropriateness from the city’s Historical Preservation Commission. To this end, the Rotary Club has engaged an architect that specializes in projects involving historically significant structures, consulted with state and local historical preservation planners, and understands continuing historical preservation research will be an integral component of this project, moving forward.
The proposal of a new community room that can support Rotary Club meetings, office space, as well as space for other civic groups and community meetings. The project would fill a significant need and support the goals we share for sustaining and growing civic engagement, service, and activity in Littleton. Preliminary discussions with the Rotary Club about the partnership have focused on the following principles:
• The City will retain ownership and control of the property.
• The Rotary Club would have priority access.
• The building would be used for non-profit city, Rotary Club, and other civic organization events. It would not be used for private events, parties, weddings etc.
• Since Bemis House is a city facility, final design and construction for the project will be subject to the city’s procurement policies.
• The city will take the lead on communication with neighbors in the vicinity of the project site.
• The city has programmed $750,000 for 2027 in the Capital Improvement Program, which is subject to final appropriation by the City Council in the 2027 budget.
The city is engaged in ongoing communication with Western Welcome Week, the existing leasee of the Bemis House (lease extends through 2032) about this potential preservation and restoration partnership. As this project unfolds, the city will need to discuss and negotiate any impacts to that lease with WWW, including any type of renovation or construction disruption to WWW’s use of the residence or detached garage. Western Welcome Week is amenable to considering alternate office and/or storage locations, to be provided by the city, during those times where the house and/or garage may not be available. The city has also reached out to the two most proximate property owners to let them know about this discussion.
BACKGROUND:
From 1970 to 2008 the house sat primarily unused and as a visual anchor in Sterne Park. In 2008, the city, in association with Western Welcome Week, acquired a State Historic Fund grant for $198,483 with $ 93,904 in local match, to tackle exterior preservation efforts and weathertight the building. No interior renovations were completed, although there have been mechanical updates. Western Welcome Week took up residence in Bemis House on a small lease and currently uses the home as office and meeting space, storage, and additional storage in the detached garage.
Prior Actions or Discussions
City Council previously discussed this potential partnership with representatives from the club at an April 18, 2023 study session.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The City has identified future capital funds in 2027, that can be combined with private partnership funds in the preservation work and potential addition at the Bemis House.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
City staff are seeking city council direction on developing a memorandum of understanding with the Rotary Club of Littleton outlining a public private partnership that the club could then use to begin a fundraising campaign for their expected contribution to the project.
ALTERNATIVES:
The city could continue with its use of the Bemis House in its current condition, consider other possible partnerships, or invest in restoration efforts on its own.