The Denver City Council will consider a one-year contract extension with The Salvation Army for operations at a former Best Western hotel now housing homeless people during Monday’s council meeting.

The extension would add $3.7 million to the contract for a new total of $9.2 million for services through the end of 2024, according to city documents.

The 194-unit former hotel off Quebec Street in northeast Denver is now being called “New Directions.”

Mayor Mike Johnston has made solving homelessness a priority with a goal to get homeless people off the streets – especially those living in encampments – and into temporary housing where they can get wraparound services that eventually lead to permanent housing.

The council allocated $15.7 million to acquire the Best Western hotel. The Denver Housing Authority board of commissioners earlier approved the hotel’s purchase for $25.95 million, with the remainder of the funding coming from various sources.

Also on the agenda for Monday’s meeting:

Contracts and Resolutions

• A resolution with BOP Republic Plaza for additional leased square feet to be used during the Webb Building Capacity Project at 370 17th St. This amendment adds $4,928,262.28 for a new total of $53,847,418.94, adding an additional 72,209 square feet for a new total of 146,133 square feet to be used as “swing space.” The item was postponed from last week’s meeting.
• A resolution through a Community Development Block Grant for $2,925,000 over 10 years to acquire and redevelop the Machebeuf Hall building in Harvey Park into a cross-culture community center.
• A resolution approving Johnston’s reappointment and appointments of Nathan Beal, John Pirkopf, Maedella Stiger, Nina Rupp and Fathima Dickerson for another term on the Five Points Business Improvement District Board.
• A resolution approving a sublease agreement with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless at 4600 E. 48th Ave. to provide daytime integrated health services for residents at the property. The $10 agreement extends the contract through the end of 2024.
• A resolution approving $1,438,500 worth of liability claims from “Rebecca Agwu et. al. v City and County of Denver” paid to 35 Baumgartner Law, L.L.C. clients.

Bills

• A bill allocating $4.7 million of Recovery ARPA Grant interest earning funds to support Denver’s House1000 initiative. Johnston vowed to house 1,000 homeless people by year’s end.
• A bill rescission appropriating $2 million from unused capital improvement funds into supporting the building of micro-communities citywide.
• Second reading for a bill approving an agreement with Urban Drainage and Mile High Flood District to add $13.4 million for a new total of $20.4 million to support the Irondale Gulch Tributaries project. The project intends to improve drainage capacity at Uvalda Street and E. 56th Avenue.
• A bill appropriating $11 million from the Arts and Venues Special Revenue Fund to Denver Arts and Venues to cover costs of increased events and attendance, citywide.
• A bill considering a General Fund cash transfer of $4,957,321 to the Liability Claims Special Revenue Fund, providing budget capacity for settlements and claims, citywide.

Public Hearing

• A bill changing the zoning of 4710 N. Lincoln St. and 4748 N. Leaf Court in Globeville from E-SU-D to U-TU-C.