Industrial Redevelopment in Sheridan, Colorado

Soil and groundwater questions come before design on a brownfield, and Sheridan has a documented example in the business park along South Santa Fe Drive. The park, bounded by Santa Fe Drive, West Oxford Avenue, West Union Avenue and the South Platte River, includes auto salvage, a recycling center, a lumber yard, auto repair and light manufacturing uses. We build and rebuild on that kind of ground, with a scope that starts by learning what is in the soil and what is under the old slab.

The city planned Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental assessments of that business park's parcels through EPA's Targeted Brownfield Assessment program to estimate remediation costs. That detail tells a buyer how the process works: assessment first, cost estimate second, redevelopment third. A contractor who joins at the assessment stage can price the demolition, haul-off, backfill and new construction while the environmental consultant's findings are still fresh.

Sheridan is small, only 2.29 square miles, and it touches both Englewood and Denver. Our work here is mostly redevelopment: industrial demolition services, utility replacement, new service buildings and light manufacturing space on parcels that have already been in industrial use.

Three highways and a river on a small footprint

U.S. 85 (South Santa Fe Drive) runs along Sheridan's eastern edge, U.S. 285 runs east to west through the city, and State Highway 88 (South Federal Boulevard) runs the length of the city from Englewood to Denver. A service business or small manufacturer on one of these corridors can reach much of the south metro quickly, and customers can reach it.

The same highways create tight sites with active frontage. Trucks serving a business on Santa Fe Drive need space to turn without blocking the street, and access permits for U.S. routes go through the state as well as the city. We lay out drives and docks with the real vehicles in mind and prepare access drawings early so the permit does not hold up the foundation.

Working on land with a history

Redevelopment on previously used land requires a health and safety plan that matches the findings. If the assessments identify contaminants, every crew on site follows the consultant's protocols for soil handling, dust control, stockpile management and truck loading. Workers on demolition or excavation crews receive site-specific training, and the plan identifies what to do if something unexpected is uncovered.

We also look at the neighbors. Sheridan's business park mixes salvage, lumber, repair and manufacturing, so a construction site shares the district with active yards and truck traffic. Perimeter fencing, tracking pads and clean wheel exits keep soil off Santa Fe Drive and keep the city and nearby businesses comfortable with the work.

Assessment findings drive the scope

Phase 1 reviews records and site history; Phase 2 tests soil, soil gas or groundwater. The results decide whether we can reuse material on site, need to haul contaminated soil to a licensed facility, or have to design the building with a vapor barrier or a ventilated subslab. Because those decisions affect the foundation, we want the draft findings before the structural design is final.

Parcels along the South Platte River add a groundwater factor. The river corridor can have a high water table, which means dewatering during utility trenches and footing excavations needs a discharge plan that complies with local rules. Our site utilities package includes water, sewer, storm and electrical work coordinated with these constraints.

From teardown to a usable pad

A typical Sheridan redevelopment scope begins with abatement and demolition of the old structures, followed by removal of slabs, footings and buried tanks or piping if present. We then grade and compact fill, rebuild utilities and form the new slab or paving. Where a building can be reused, we retrofit the structure, roof and mechanical systems rather than tear down.

New use dictates the build. A parts distributor needs a clear-span shell with dock-high doors, a fleet operator wants automotive fleet facilities with wash bays and lube pits, and a trades company may prefer maintenance shops and service bays with heavy-duty slabs. Each starts from a clear program and a real vehicle list.

Why brownfield numbers move

The main uncertainties are soil, groundwater, buried structures and the age of utilities. We handle them by pricing unit rates for items that depend on field conditions, such as extra excavation, disposal and backfill, rather than burying contingency in the lump sum. That makes the owner's decision to proceed clearer and avoids disagreements about change orders.

Public programs can help with assessment, so we ask clients whether an EPA or state grant applies and design the schedule around any reporting deadlines. Credible numbers also help lenders, who want to see the remediation plan and the path to a certificate of occupancy.

What users often need next

After the building, the tenant usually wants the yard set. We pair redevelopment with warehouse buildings for parts and supply users, and with paved storage areas for equipment and materials. If the owner operates in metals and heavy industry, such as recycling or fabrication, we plan crane access, heavy slabs and containment for runoff.

Because Sheridan borders its neighbors, some clients combine a site here with space in Englewood or in Denver. We estimate each parcel under its own jurisdiction's rules and provide a comparison on cost, schedule and permit steps.

Price your Sheridan redevelopment

Send the parcel, the assessment status and your target use. We will bracket demolition, site and building costs and tell you what we need to firm them up.

Common Questions

What is the business park along South Santa Fe Drive?

It is a district in Sheridan bounded by Santa Fe Drive, West Oxford Avenue, West Union Avenue and the South Platte River, with auto salvage, a recycling center, a lumber yard, auto repair and light manufacturing uses. The city planned Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental assessments of its parcels through EPA's Targeted Brownfield Assessment program to estimate remediation costs. We use that history to plan diligence and demolition for projects there.

Can you help price a redevelopment before the environmental work is finished?

Yes, with a range and clear assumptions. We can bracket demolition, haul-off and new construction using unit rates, then narrow the range as the Phase 2 data arrive. A decision to buy or lease can be made with a number that is honest about what remains unknown.

How do you control dust and runoff on a brownfield?

We follow the environmental consultant's plan, which can include water trucks, covered stockpiles, silt fence, inlet protection and tracking pads. Trucks leaving with soil are lined or covered, and street sweeping is part of the daily routine. Inspectors can check records of each haul.

Which highways serve Sheridan businesses?

U.S. 85 (South Santa Fe Drive) runs along the eastern edge, U.S. 285 runs east to west through the city, and State Highway 88 (South Federal Boulevard) runs the length of the city. These routes make for good visibility but require careful access design. We confirm driveway locations with the city and the state early.

Does the light rail station affect a project?

The Oxford-City of Sheridan RTD light rail station has its only entrance in Englewood, but it serves employees and customers of Sheridan businesses. Pedestrian paths, bus connections and parking counts can be part of the site plan. We include those items so workers can reach the building without crossing truck traffic.

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