CC pursues properties owned by nonprofit

   A small nonprofit has something Colorado College wants: two prime pieces of property near the campus to further an ambitious expansion plan.

   But the Dale House Project doesn't want to give up its 37-year presence in the neighborhood north of downtown. So even though CC hasn't made an offer, Dale House is playing it safe. Last week, the nonprofit - a residential program for delinquent, abused and neglected teens - bought a historic home at 731 N. Cascade Ave.

   The purchase prepares Dale House Project for what appears to be inevitable: CC has already purchased one of its properties and has its eye on the other two, said George Sheffer, Dale House Project director.

   In 2006, Sheffer said his organization learned that the college wanted to expand in the long term by buying existing homes and businesses close to the campus and redeveloping the area to include a performing arts center, a sports and fitness center, retail outlets and condos.

   "They came out with a master plan that showed their new buildings sitting right on ours," Sheffer said, "and we said, ‘This is interesting.' It's a case of two organizations wanting the same properties."

   No deals have been struck, and negotiations have not taken place for the Dale House Project properties at 24 E. Dale St. and 802 N. Tejon St., said Tom Nycum, vice president for business and finance and treasurer for Colorado College.

   "I hope we're getting closer to progressing on our development plans, but I don't know what the timeline will be," he said.

   Sheffer said Dale House Project's goal is to keep its operations in the Near North End neighborhood, where it's served troubled youth since 1971.

   "We're very committed to staying in this neighborhood - we've been here a long time, the area is zoned properly for us, the kids have access to public transportation, and we haven't had issues with our neighbors," Sheffer said.

   Dale House Project, formerly a program of the Christian ministry Young Life and now an independent Christian organization, already sold one of its holdings to Colorado College.

   In the late 1990s, shortly after unveiling plans to build a new arts center encompassing an entire block of North Cascade Avenue, the college approached Dale House Project about selling its property at 821 N. Cascade Ave.

   "We said we'd be glad to if there was another house available in this locale," Sheffer said.

   The college bought the property in 1999 for $400,000, and Dale House Project bought a building at 7 W. Dale St. for offices.

   The transaction with the college went smoothly, Sheffer said: "We had amicable negotiations, and it worked out well."

   In the past few years, the college has acquired numerous other properties in the area and now owns 90 acres, Nycum said.

   "Whenever we get an opportunity that makes sense for the college and the price is reasonable, we take advantage of it," he said.

   He noted some property owners have approached the college to buy their properties, while the college has initiated other transactions, such as the Dale House Project.

   Nycum would not say what other acquisitions the college has in mind, but he said officials have been talking to Sheffer about their desire to buy Dale Street's two properties.

   "It's not a push of any sort on the college's part; it's more of an accommodation for both of us," Nycum said.

   Dale House paid about $500,000 for its new property, Sheffer said, a stretch for a nonprofit that has an annual operating budget just shy of $1 million.

   Bequests and private donations helped pay for the new property, but it's left the organization with little cash on hand, he said.

   "As with any small nonprofit, it's always a struggle to keep things going financially," Sheffer said. "We bought the property in the hopes that we can make it up later."