12300 Albrook Drive

Today we bring our focus to Albrook Drive in the Montbello neighborhood where this 1.37 acre parking lot will soon be transformed into a mega affordable housing and community development.

Over four years ago, the Montbello Organizing Committee revealed the plan for a $55-million affordable mixed-use housing development.

"Created out of the need for access to fresh food, affordable housing, and the need to respect diverse cultures in our community." - Donna Garnett

Known as "The Freshlo Hub", this project will feature 7-stories, 97 residential units, a grocery store, education spaces, small retail spaces and community meeting rooms.

For ages, this parking lot operated as a Park-n-Ride for the Albrook & Peoria bus stop located directly in front of the site.

A 7-story development will surely stand out at this corner and is expected to serve as community hot spot or "Hub" due to its prime location near Peoria Street, Interstate-70 and the suburb of Montbello.

Locally owned Gilmore Construction and nationally recognized Kiewit will partner to complete the project.

Gilmore Construction is a 24-year old, Montbello-based, minority-owned company with vast experience ranging from airports, healthcare, retail and transportation.

Kiewit is a nation-wide developer with projects ranging from the Denver Zoo and airport to an elementary school in Hawaii.

Additional members of the Freshlo Hub team are Flo Development, The Roybal Corporation Architects, Van Meter Williams Pollack LLP and DAE Group.

The main anchor for this project will without a doubt be the two story grocery store.

Currently, the grocery choices for Montbello residents are a Walmart located at the Eastern Border of Montebello along Chambers Road and King Soopers along MLK Blvd in Aurora, both approximately 2 miles away.

Considering the project is still in the early stages, retail tenants have not been placed yet. However, the management team is planning to fill the spaces with local small businesses rather than nationally known retailers.

With ground breaking anticipated for later this year and a construction timeline of 18-24 months, the Freshlo Hub is expected to impact the Montbello community by mid 2024.