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Elevate Downtown Neighborhood Plan

At a glance

  • What: Approval of the Elevate Downtown Neighborhood Plan (file NPLN-26-0001), an update to the 2016 Experience Downtown Land Use Master Plan (Council District 3), and a companion Resolution (26-213, signed as Resolution 54-26) approving the Elevate Downtown Plan of Development.
  • Outcome: Both approved 8-1-0-0 on May 26, 2026. Donelson voted no on each.
  • Why it matters: A high-level vision for downtown land use, building heights, mobility, public realm, housing, safety and culture. The Downtown Development Authority hired the consultant MIG to draft it.

Detail

  • Ryan Tefertiller, Urban Planning Manager, presented with Kevin Walker: vicinity, vision, goals, Volume 2, review timeline, stakeholder and agency review, PlanCOS compliance, guiding plans, review criteria and optional motions. Mark Del La Torre (MIG) covered scope, engagement, plan contents, big ideas, districts, gateways, economic vitality, parks and trails (Legacy Loop completion, waterfront activation), mobility, urban design and form-based code recommendations, housing, homelessness, public restrooms, safety and infrastructure. Chelsea Gondeck, CEO of the Downtown Partnership, said work began at the end of 2024 with vast community input.
  • Donelson's questions: the Form Based Zone (set up in 2009, no height limit downtown) is being rewritten, with proposed added design guidelines toward an "iconic skyline" (varied heights, architecture, materials and 360-degree design); minor expansion areas for the zone are considered; reducing downtown parking is listed as a possible consideration. He said he is uncomfortable with hints of art standards, disagrees that root causes of safety concerns are limited access to housing, health care and economic opportunity (he said they should address crime), and asked what "underrepresented demographics" means and what would prevent public restrooms being damaged. He also questioned why two of six photos show the Pikes Peak Pride Festival and why other events (Western Street Breakfast, Range Riders Send Off, Veterans Day Parade, Parade of Lights) are not mentioned; the consultant said downtown has over a hundred events a year and the plan gave examples.
  • Rainey Jr. asked about target transportation types (placemaking and active-transportation priority streets are guided in the plan; a new transit center is identified and rail is supported, per Gondeck), confirmed the plan is high-level and visionary rather than prescriptive, and asked about Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority involvement (Gondeck: throughout). He said he will support it but wants a deeper conversation because some language does not reflect the city's identity and could hinder redevelopment.
  • Henjum and Williams spoke in support. President Crow-Iverson wanted more on parks, outdoor recreation, tourism and the Olympic and Paralympic Museum, and noted the Urban Renewal Authority was not listed as a partner.
  • Public: Diane Bridges (Historic Neighborhoods Partnership) appreciated the engagement process; Samuel Clark (Pikes Peak Real Estate Foundation and Downtown Development Authority chair), Colin Christie (Downtown Partnership vice chair, owner of Neon Pig) and Eric Brenner (owner of Red Gravy) spoke in support.

Votes

  • May 26, 2026, Elevate Downtown Neighborhood Plan: motion by Henjum, seconded by Gold; passed 8-1-0-0. Aye: Casey, Crow-Iverson, Gold, Henjum, Leinweber, Rainey Jr., Risley, Williams. No: Donelson.
  • May 26, 2026, Resolution adopting the Plan of Development (item 10.F): Henjum, Gold; passed 8-1-0-0 with the same members.

Sources

Log

2026-05-26 - City Council

New Business items 10.E and 10.F. Extended questions from Donelson, Rainey and Crow-Iverson; five speakers; both actions approved 8-1.