The main project objectives of the Lowell area are to eliminate blight, prevent slums and environmental deficiencies and to improve the physical and economic relationship between the area and the downtown-core area as well as to preserve the Lowell Elementary School through adaptive reuse and renovation and provide an attractive entry to downtown and create neighborhood-oriented commercial and development opportunities.
URA Period:  1988 - 2013

Developer Contact​
Lowell Development Partners, LLC
Mr. Mike DeGrant
201 E. Las Animas, Ste. 101
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719 447-1003
[email protected]
www.lowellneighborhood.com
Originally approved by the Colorado Springs City Council on April 26, 1988. The South Central Downtown Urban Renewal Area also known as the “Lowell URA” is generally bound by the Rio Grand Street on the north; Nevada Avenue on the west; the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad tracks on the south and Shook’s Run on the east. The main project objectives of the Lowell area are to eliminate blight, prevent slums and environmental deficiencies and to improve the physical and economic relationship between the area and the downtown-core area as well as to preserve the Lowell Elementary School through adaptive reuse and renovation and provide an attractive entry to downtown and create neighborhood-oriented commercial and development opportunities. The Lowell UR plan lists development objectives that include land uses supportive of and complementary to the downtown core; creative housing opportunities for a variety of family incomes along with ease of vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

The Lowell URA reached the end of its urban renewal designation in 2013, while the developer continues to implement the remaining elements of the plan.

Development and Design Objectives

The development objectives for the Urban Renewal Area include the creation of a variety of housing types that will encourage population diversity. Proposed land uses within the Urban Renewal Area will include: for sale and for rent residential, limited commercial areas, neighborhood retail, live-work spaces, parking facilities, and open space. Other objectives include:
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  • eliminate and prevent blight and prevent slums and environmental deficiencies;
  • improve the physical and economic relationship between this area and the Downtown core area;
  • resolve existing zoning and land use conflicts
  • provide residential opportunities in the Downtown area;
  • increase the number of jobs in the area;
  • improve automobile and bicycle traffic circulation and develop a convenient traffic route between the airport and downtown;
  • provide an attractive entry to Downtown;
  • improve property values;
  • preserve the original portion of Lowell Elementary School through adaptive reuse;
  • relocate, where feasible, existing dwellings to provide housing opportunities for low and moderate income households;
  • create neighborhood oriented commercial development opportunities;
  • Provide a mix of land uses supportive of and complimentary to the existing Downtown core area;
  • Provide densities and intensities of land uses appropriate to the periphery of the Downtown area;
  • Create housing opportunities for a variety of family incomes through local partnerships;
  • Provide ease of pedestrian and vehicular circulation;
  • Provide well designed parking sufficient to the needs generated by the project;
  • Provide additional parking for the police operations center and
  • To inhibit traffic flow through the area by encouraging traffic on Wahsatch Avenue