There is no single right answer, but timing matters: Wheat Ridge expects 38th Avenue West End construction between Youngfield and Kipling to begin sometime in 2027 and last one to one and a half years, so Applewood Villages owners planning a sale can choose before, during or after.
Applewood Villages owners have known for a while that 38th Avenue between Youngfield and Kipling is due for a rebuild. The project has moved from concept to final design, the city has an early cost estimate, and the most recent reporting points to construction in 2027. For anyone thinking about selling in the next couple of years, the question is no longer whether the work happens but how it lines up with a move.
The honest answer is that the construction itself is one factor among several. Interest rates, the season, the condition of the house, and where an owner is going next usually matter more to the result than a stretch of orange barrels. Still, roadwork on the street that leads to your block affects showings, curb appeal and how buyers feel on the drive in, so it is worth planning around.
Jason Sirois is a Denver Realtor with FORM at Compass and an Applewood resident. This post lays out what is known about the schedule, how construction tends to affect a sale, and the questions to work through for each of the three windows: before, during and after.
What is the 38th Avenue West End project, and when does construction start?
The City of Wheat Ridge’s 38th Avenue West End project page describes the preferred design for the corridor between Youngfield and Kipling:
- Continuous sidewalks on both sides of the street, built within the existing right of way
- Dedicated bike lanes in both directions, with a painted buffer where possible
- One 10-foot travel lane each way
- Mini-roundabouts at Tabor Court, Parfet Street and Miller Street
- New crosswalks at Quail Street, Lee Street and Union Court, plus new curb, gutter and storm sewer connections
The Neighborhood Gazette reported in May 2026 that the roughly 1.5-mile project carried an early engineering construction estimate of $22 million, that construction was targeted for early 2027 if the schedule held, and that the city expected the work to take one to one and a half years. In August 2026 the Gazette reported that construction is set to begin sometime in 2027 and that council was still weighing an unbudgeted $9 million to move power lines along the street underground. The city has not published a start date or a construction phasing plan.
| Item | What has been published | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Corridor | 38th Avenue, Youngfield to Kipling, about 1.5 miles | Neighborhood Gazette, May 2026 |
| Early construction estimate | $22 million | Neighborhood Gazette, May 2026 |
| Construction start | Sometime in 2027 | Neighborhood Gazette, August 2026 |
| Expected duration | One to one and a half years | Neighborhood Gazette, May 2026 |
| Power line undergrounding | About $9 million, unbudgeted and under council discussion as of August 2026 | Neighborhood Gazette, August 2026 |
Our earlier post on how the 38th Avenue West End project will affect Applewood Villages covers the design in more detail.
How does road construction affect selling a home?
Construction rarely changes what a house is. It changes the experience of getting to it. Buyers notice lane closures, detours, dust and noise on the way to a showing, and photos taken during construction can show barricades or torn-up curbs. Homes that front 38th Avenue or sit at a cross street such as Tabor, Parfet or Miller will feel it most. Homes a few blocks off the corridor may barely notice beyond the drive in.
There is a second side to it. The finished project adds sidewalks and bike lanes where parts of the corridor have none today, and some buyers weigh that kind of planned improvement as a plus. A buyer touring during construction is looking at both the inconvenience in front of them and the finished street the city has described.
What should I think about if I sell before construction starts?
Selling before work begins avoids the barricades in listing photos and the detours on showing day. It also means listing while the project is a plan rather than a visible fact, so buyers who ask will want a clear, accurate answer about what is coming and when.
- Season. If construction begins in early 2027, a sale before then means listing this winter or very early spring. Winter usually brings fewer active buyers and fewer competing listings at the same time.
- Disclosure. Be ready to share what you know about the project. Talk with your agent about how to present it, and with a real estate attorney if you have questions about what Colorado requires you to disclose.
- Readiness. Listing on a deadline can mean skipping repairs or updates that would otherwise help the price. Weigh what the house needs against the calendar.
What about selling during or after construction?
During. A sale in the middle of the work is still possible. Pricing, presentation and access planning do more of the lifting: check the city’s traffic notices before scheduling showings, give buyers clear directions around closures, and use photos of the home itself rather than the street. If the city publishes a phasing plan, the block closest to your home may be under construction for only part of the overall schedule.
After. Waiting until the corridor is finished lets buyers see new sidewalks, bike lanes and roundabouts instead of imagining them. The trade-off is time: with a 2027 start and a one-to-one-and-a-half-year build, the finished street could be well into 2028, and market conditions between now and then are unknown.
For current Wheat Ridge prices, days on market and inventory, see our Wheat Ridge September market update, and for the broader area, our Applewood community page.
How do I decide what’s right for my Applewood Villages home?
Start with the parts of the decision that have nothing to do with roadwork: when you need to move, what the house needs before it lists, and how a sale fits with a purchase elsewhere. Then layer the project timeline on top. A few practical steps:
- Sign up for project updates through the city’s “Follow Project” option on the 38th Avenue page so you hear about schedule changes and outreach meetings early.
- Note where your home sits relative to 38th Avenue and the three roundabout locations.
- Get a current value estimate now, so you know what you are deciding between.
Owners who want to talk through their own timing can reach Jason through FORM at Compass. The answer depends on the house and the plan, not just the calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does construction start on 38th Avenue between Youngfield and Kipling?
The most recent reporting, from the Neighborhood Gazette in August 2026, says construction is set to begin sometime in 2027. The city has not published an exact start date.
How long will the 38th Avenue West End construction last?
The city told the Neighborhood Gazette in May 2026 that it expected the work to take one to one and a half years once it begins.
Will 38th Avenue construction lower my home’s value?
No published data measures that for this corridor. Construction mainly affects showings and buyer impressions during the work. The finished project adds sidewalks, bike lanes and roundabouts.
Is 38th Avenue getting roundabouts in Wheat Ridge?
Yes. The preferred design includes mini-roundabouts at Tabor Court, Parfet Street and Miller Street.
Do I have to tell buyers about the 38th Avenue project?
Be prepared to share what you know. Talk with your agent about presentation and with a real estate attorney about Colorado’s disclosure requirements for your situation.
Where can I follow the project’s schedule?
The City of Wheat Ridge’s 38th Avenue West End page on whatsupwheatridge.com has a sign-up for project announcements and lists the city’s project contact.
This article is for general information only and reflects published reporting as of November 4, 2026. Project schedules and costs can change. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult a real estate attorney or other professional about your specific situation.
