Title
Academy Boulevard Great Streets Progress and Measures Report, an Update on Southeast Colorado Springs Economic Development Initiatives and a Report on the Rustic Hills Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative
Presenters:
Peter Wysocki, Planning and Community Development Director
Carl Schueler, Comprehensive Planning Manager
Chelsea Gaylord, Economic Development Project Manager
Mary Elizabeth Fabian, North Academy Revitalization Initiative
Body
Summary:
This agenda item includes a series of brief and high level reports and updates beginning with highlights of the annual Academy Boulevard Corridor Great Streets Plan Progress and Measures Report. This will be followed by updates on recent economic development partnership efforts in Southeast Colorado Springs. The final element will be a brief presentation on a recent and ongoing grass-roots neighborhood effort focused in the larger Rustic Hills area.
Previous Council Action:
City Council adopted the Great Streets Plan as an element of the Comprehensive Plan in 2011. In 2016, City Council also adopted the 2014 South Academy Economic Opportunity Zone Action Plan as document to assist in guiding strategic planning for the corridor. In early 2019, Council adopted PlanCOS as our new Comprehensive Plan. Focus areas of PlanCOS include neighborhood and corridor revitalization as well as an emphasis on maximizing opportunities and continuing to address challenges in the southeast areas of the City.
Background:
As an element of the Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan, the 2011 Academy Boulevard Corridor (ABC) Great Streets Plan recommends an annual report on measures and progress. This report has a fundamental purpose of maintaining focus on the Academy Boulevard Corridor and Southeast Colorado Springs. The report also provides context for ongoing and future initiatives. The final report is attached and will be highlighted at this meeting.
The Great Streets Plan planning area is bordered by Maizeland Road to the north, Drennan Road to the south, and extends 1 mile east and west along Academy Boulevard. It encompasses 12 square miles of Colorado Springs.
A draft of this report was presented to the City Planning Commission on July 18, 2019. At that meeting Planning Commission welcomed the update and asked few clarifying questions.
The City’s Economic Development Office has been coordinating with various community partners and other City Departments on initiatives focused on Southeast Colorado Springs. These include a Community Development Corporation, a community Hub in the Mission Trace Shopping Center area, and a recently submitted BUILD Grant application.
Further north in the Rustic Hills area, a neighborhood-initiated organizational and revitalization effort is underway with the support and participation of City staff and Council of Neighbors and Organizations (CONO).
Financial Implications:
N/A
Board/Commission Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
Both City and non-City agencies were consulted with and contributed to this report. Various City staff have been participating in the ongoing southeast Colorado Springs and Rustic Hills neighborhood initiatives.
Alternatives:
N/A
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Report items only; no formal action required
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A