Northglenn City Council will consider if the nearly 11 acres its Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Facility is on would serve better as commercial or residential development after the FasTracks line makes its way north.

Brook Svoboda, director of planning and development, presented the topic to council during its Sept. 16 study session. He said the conversation was worth having because early indications suggest a full build out for the North Metro line is becoming a near-term reality.

The Regional Transportation District has sent out request for proposals to build out the North Metro Line and bids were due by Sept. 23. The RTD Board is expected to vote on a proposal in November.

“The close proximity of the planned transit station to the M&O Facility renders the approximate 11 acres valuable (Transit Orientation Development) land. Continued use of the property as the city’ M&O facility may not be the highest and best use for the city,” according to a staff memo.

The facility is on TOD identified for Thornton’s Eastlake Station, which is north of 124th Avenue. The Eastlake TOD area encompasses parcels that are east of Washington Street, west of York Street, south of 128th Avenue and north of 120 Avenue.

In 2008, Thornton did a study of the TOD area — which has land owned by Thornton, Northglenn, Adams 12 Five Star Schools.

“Part of the study identifies that there’s opportunity for about 165,000 square feet of retail and also light industrial mixed office as well as some residential components,” Svoboda said. “

He pointed out that if the Eastlake station is build, then the M&O Facility would be directly across from two parking lots that would accommodate up to 750 parking spaces.

“One of the things that would be beneficial is to further identify, based on what the opportunities are there, does it make sense to consider the M&O as a viable property if Eastlake were to move forward?” he said.

Council and staff will discuss the facility after RTD makes its decision in November. Svoboda said the first question council will have to answer is if it makes sense to consider using the property for something other than the M&O Facility. After that, he said, a market analysis and relocation analysis would need to be done.

The North Metro line is set to have six stations located in the Northglenn and Thornton area — 88th Avenue, 104th Avenue, 112th Avenue, Eastlake at 124th, 144th Avenue and 160th Avenue.

Svoboda said both the Eastlake and 112th Stations offer opportunities for the city.