On April 1, 2025, the City held an election on whether the City should sell the existing Joe Dennis Park on the corner of 50th & Rainbow Blvd. to enable redevelopment of the site and replacement of the park on the former Westwood View School site. The results were 48% in favor and 52% opposed to the sale of the park. The following week, the City's development partner - Karbank - terminated its purchase agreement with the City, which left the City with no way to fund the purchase of the school site under the current agreement between the City and the School District. The City requested proposals from partners who have a vision and idea for the site and, in late Summer 2025, the City Council will consider assigning its right to purchase the property to the team with the strongest proposal.
At the August 4, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, Hunt Midwest publicly presented their proposal for the first time. This presentation introduced the team and their proposed concept for redeveloping the site. A video of the full presentation, staff report, and questions and answers with the Planning Commission is linked to the left and by using this link. The slides presented at the meeting are linked at the bottom of this page and by clicking here.
At the August 14, 2025 City Council work session, the City Council received an expanded presentation and had an opportunity to ask questions of the Hunt Midwest team. The public was invited to ask questions leading up to that work session and was also invited to make public comment at the City Council's meeting, following the work session. Following public comment, discussion, and deliberation, the City Council directed staff to work with Hunt Midwest to negotiate an assignment agreement, transferring the City's right to purchase the former Westwood View School site to the developer. That assignment agreement is anticipated to be considered at the City Council's September 11th regular meeting.
The City has received many questions about the future of this site. We are committed to keeping residents updated as decisions are made and circumstances evolve.
Notable Action - 2026
July 15
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Hunt Midwest will present its preliminary redevelopment plans for the former Westwood View site during a community open house on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room at City Hall.
Residents are encouraged to attend, learn about the proposed plans, ask questions, and provide feedback as the project moves forward. Community input will help inform the redevelopment process.
The open house format allows attendees to stop by at any time during the event to review plans and speak with project representatives.
Notable Action - Spring and Summer 2025
August 14
- At its regular monthly meeting, the City Council held a work session to hear from Hunt Midwest, reviewed community feedback received up to that point, and provided direction to City staff to move forward with assigning the City's right to purchase the former Westwood View Elementary School Site. (The City staff presented at that meeting is available here.)
July 31 - August 14
- Public comment and questions were welcomed and encouraged. The questions received from the public - which were directed to the City - are summarized and answered here.
August 4
- At its regular monthly meeting, the Planning Commission received a public presentation by Hunt Midwest & Finkle Williams, who won the recommendation of the RFP Review Committee. (The City staff report with all the details about the selection process is available here.)
July 31
- The RFP Review Committee recommends Hunt Midwest & Finkle Williams to lead the redevelopment of the former school site. (The City staff report with all the details about the selection process is available here.)
July 9 - 25
- The RFP Review Committee considered proposals and team qualifications, conducted interviews, and invited one (1) team to present publicly at the August 4, 2025 regular Planning Commission meeting. The Committee used the public preference survey results and the following evaluation criteria to develop its recommendation of the team that best displays:
- Alignment with City objectives and public interest;
- Track record of similar projects;
- Financial feasibility and public benefit;
- Transparent team structure and experience; and
- Responsiveness to site and context.
June 11 - 25
- The City administered a public preferences survey. The findings and responses are linked at the bottom of this page.
June 11
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The City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting interested buyers to share their proposals for the former school site and to demonstrate feasibility.
The RFP specifically requested proposals for:
- Single-family housing, particularly small-lot housing, townhomes, row homes, villas;
- Public gathering or civic space; and/or
- Small scale mixed-use designs aligning with existing plans.
May 29
- The City Council unanimously approved the Amendment to the Purchase Agreement and also directed City staff to develop a process to request proposals from interested partners for a potential assignment of the City's purchase rights.
May 16
- The City received the School District's application for demolition of the site and the City's review is underway.
May 12
- The School Board approved a Fourth Amendment to the Real Estate Purchase Agreement with the City to demolish the school building.
- The Board also expressed a desire to give the City an opportunity to identify a buyer that aligns with the community’s best interests.
What Happens Next?
- On September 11, 2025, the City Council will consider taking action on an agreement to assign its right to purchase the former Westwood View school site to Hunt Midwest, if both the City and developer come to mutually agreeable terms.
- If, and only if, Hunt Midwest accepts the assignment, they would need to complete due diligence for the property purchase by October 31, 2025.
- If, and only if, Hunt Midwest sucessfully completes their due diligence, their purchase of the property would close on November 28, 2025.
- If, and only if, Hunt Hunt closes on the purchase of the property, they would begin public engagement activities to prepare their proposed concept for the needed planning and zoning approvals to construct their project.
Need More Background?
The linked pages below provide the backstory.
