Specifically, the purpose of the Plan is to create an urban neighborhood which leverages the community’s investment in America the Beautiful Park and creates linkages to the downtown core and which is in accordance with the Downtown Action Plan and the Imagine Downtown Plan.
URA Period:  2001 - 2026

Developer Contact​
Nor'Wood Development
Mr. Chris Jenkins
111 S. Tejon Street, Suite 222
Colorado Springs CO 80903
719 593-2600
[email protected]
www.Norwoodinteractive.com

Location:  The Southwest Downtown Urban Renewal Area is located southwest of the central business core in downtown Colorado Springs.  The area is generally bounded by Interstate 25 on the west and Bijou Street on the north to the Union Pacific railroad lines.  The rail lines then form the eastern boundary from Bijou Street to Colorado Avenue.  Colorado Avenue serves as a northern boundary from the rail lines east to Cascade.  South of Colorado Avenue, Cascade forms the eastern boundary.  Cimarron serves as the southern boundary of the Area.  Approximately 100 acres are included within the current Urban Renewal Plan.  Approximately 100 acres are included within the Urban Renewal Area
Plan Goals:
Approved by the Colorado Springs City Council on August 14, 2001. . The general purpose of this Urban Renewal Plan is to reduce, eliminate and prevent the spread of qualifying conditions within the Urban Renewal Area and to stimulate the growth and development of the Southwest Downtown Area. In particular, the Urban Renewal Plan is intended to promote local objectives with respect to appropriate land uses, improved traffic, public transportation, public utilities, and other public improvements. Specifically, the purpose of the Plan is to create an urban neighborhood which leverages the community’s investment in America the Beautiful Park and creates linkages to the downtown core and which is in accordance with the Downtown Action Plan and the Imagine Downtown Plan.

Development and Design Objectives:
The proposed development character for the Urban Renewal Area includes a variety of existing land uses and densities that will distinguish one area from another. Proposed land uses within the Plan include office, commercial, specialty retail, entertainment, hotel, performing arts, parks, a variety of residential uses, parking facilities, and lodging. Uses that are present in the URA today which fall within one of these categories, and which are in compliance with existing City codes including zoning, are considered compatible with uses in the Plan. Redevelopment of the URA will provide for and promote a greater range and mix of land uses. In order to better support the economic success of the URA as an urban neighborhood, the Plan promotes the integration of uses, enhanced linkages into and out of the URA, improved pedestrian and vehicular circulation patterns, parking support, and a level of intensity beyond that which exists today. Following are specific development objectives embodied in the Plan.Eliminate and prevent blight
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  • Promote the downtown’s 24 hour / 7-day live/work/play environment
  • Eliminate blight and prevent environmental deficiencies
  • Improve the relationship between this area and downtown core
  • Improve property values
  • Provide an attractive entry to downtown
  • Provide a mix of land uses supportive of and complimentary to planned improvements in the Urban Renewal Area, as well as existing downtown core
  • Provide densities and intensities of land uses appropriate to an urban neighborhood
  • Create urban housing opportunities currently lacking in the market
  • Provide ease of vehicular and pedestrian circulation
  • Provide well-designed parking sufficient to meet the needs generated by the projects
  • Provide improvements which link America the Beautiful Park to the downtown core
  • Encourage the continued presence of businesses within the URA that are consistent with a traditional urban neighborhood
  • Encourage development of affordable housing equivalent to a minimum of 10% of all housing units in the URA (Note: Affordability is assumed to address the housing needs of purchasers at or below 80% of the URA median household income)

Current Status:  
The CSURA Board authorized the preparation of a conditions study by DGC for the entire SW Downtown URA and City Gate in January 2016.  The Board adopted the Conditions Survey and defined the boundaries for the first urban renewal plan area.  DGC is preparing the urban renewal plan for Plan Area 1 as well as an amendment to the existing Southwest Downtown Urban Renewal Area.  City Council adopted the Plan Amendment #1 on December 11, 2018.  The substantial modifications only reduced the land area contained in the Southwest Downtown Urban Renewal Plan by removing the acreage included in the new Museum and Park Plan.  It does not materially alter any of the findings.