Metro District Board Unanimously Votes to Pursue Ownership of Historic Highlands Ranch Mansion

At their September board meeting, the Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors unanimously voted to direct the organization’s general manager to negotiate with Shea Homes to acquire the Highlands Ranch Mansion with the intent to restore/renovate and open it for the public benefit.  The Metro District hopes to complete Mansion negotiations by March 2010.  The Metro District began a Mansion Evaluation Process in October 2008.  A feasibility study was conducted to evaluate owning, renovating and operating the Highlands Ranch Mansion. The study looked at renovation costs and conducted a citizen survey to gather input. The survey results reported more than 88 percent of respondents support the Metro District owning, operating and renovating the mansion for community use.  For more information about the Mansion Evaluation Process, please visit the Mansion page at www.highlandsranch.org, or send an email message to info@highlandsranch.org and subscribe to electronic Mansion updates.

Metro District Ownership of the Highlands Ranch Mansion…Next Steps

Since the Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors’ unanimous vote in September to pursue ownership of the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion, the Metro District staff has been negotiating details of an agreement with Shea Homes.  The Metro District is also developing a projected timeline for the next couple years.  The Metro District anticipates negotiations will be concluded by March 2010.  After that, the Metro District will proceed with the design of the building renovation and manage the site planning process and subsequent Douglas County approvals through 2010.  It is envisioned that renovations to the Mansion will commence  in 2011.  As a result, the Mansion will not be available for private events until sometime in 2012. 

Celebrate the Holidays at the Mansion!

Join the Highlands Ranch Metro District on Saturday, December 5 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. for our annual Holiday Celebration.   Free shuttle buses will pick people up at Cherry Hills Community Church and drop off at the Mansion.  Parking is not available at the Mansion, so please plan to take a shuttle. 

Santa will arrive on a fire truck at 10 a.m. and will be available for pictures all day.  Hayrides will take people on a tour of the grounds at the historic ranch.  Reindeer games will take place on the lawn, and Mansion tours guided by the Highlands Ranch Historical Society will be available for a small fee ($2 per person, or $6 per family).   Holiday sounds will fill the air as elementary school choirs perform all day.  The Knights of Columbus will have food and refreshments for sale.

For more information, please contact Jenn Garber at 720-240-4909, or at jgarber@highlandsranch.org. 

For more information about the Mansion Evaluation Process, visit www.highlandsranch.org or send an email message to info@highlandsranch.org and ask to be signed up for Mansion electronic updates.