City of Colorado Springs / Transit Service / Transit Links / Academy Boulevard Corridor Great Streets

Project Overview

Great Streets web header

 

NEW! Academy Boulevard Corridor Great Streets Plan Measures

NEW! Academy Boulevard Corridor Great Streets study report FINAL.

The maps and appendices that support the final study report can be found HERE.

 

Consultant Process Completed

With publication of the Great Streets Plan and its appendices, the City's current contract with its consultant (CH2MHill) has been completed.  For continued information on this project as it moves through the adoption and implementation process, please continue to look for updates on this web site and/or contact Carl Schueler, City Project Manager at (719) 385-5391;  cschueler@springsgov.com.

 

Adoption Process Completed

In August, 2011, this Plan was adopted as a land use master plan element of the City's Comprehensive Plan. For continued information on this project, as it moves through the adoption and implementation process, please continue to look for updates on the web site and/or contact Carl Schueler, City Project manager at 719-385-5391, cschueler@springov.com.

 

Next Steps

City staff and partners continue to work on implementation of the vision and priorities of this Plan.  First phase projects are being incorporated into proposed funding plans.  Over $30 million has been designated for this corridor in the fiscally constrained Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) regional Long Range Transportation Plan which should be adopted in early 2012.  An additional $34 million in capital projects within the corridor are also included in a list of City projects proposed for potential reauthorization of the capital portion of the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) sales tax.  As of February 2012, these lists are pending final approval from the PPRTA Board with the reauthorization decision expected to be made by the voters in the fall of 2012. Staff also continues to work with developers and property owners on individual projects in the corridor,  to encourage this private development and also to recommend ways to best integrate projects with the Plan's long term vision.  Within the past twelve months,  several  primarily retail projects have moved forward through the planning and/or construction phases.  These have included the late 2011 opening of the Lowe's store at Citadel Crossing, plans to construct two WalMart community markets and a variety of building and facade improvements. Lessons learned and insights from the Academy Boulevard process are being applied to wider analysis of infill and core area redevelopment issues throughout the City.

 

Much of the transit planning and funding decisions concerning the corridor are on hold for the short term pending conclusions of the Mayor's Transit Solutions Team and related efforts.

 

Measurement and Progress Report

A 2011 comprehensive measurement and progress report is being finalized and should be provided to City Council by April 2012. Look forward to viewing it here.

 

 

 

The Academy Boulevard Corridor Great Streets study team presented its draft report to Colorado Springs City Council on April 11, 2011. Click here to see the team's presentation and other presentations materials.

 

 

 

 

NEW! - January, 2011 Newsletter

Click photo for Public Meetings and Open Houses!
Click photo for Public Meetings and Open Houses!
In October 2007 the Colorado Springs City Council designated portions of the Academy Boulevard Corridor as a "mature/redevelopment corridor."  In the second half of 2008, City staff conducted a comprehensive land use, systems and issues assessment of the planning area.  This effort recommended that a comprehensive transportation analysis and plan be completed for the corridor in conjunction with a land use vision planning process.

 

 

This 12-month study has been branded, "Academy Boulevard Corridor Great Streets," reflecting the overall approach for the plan.  The next big step is hearing from you.

 

The 12-month Academy Blvd. Corridor Great Streets study report has been drafted and will be presented to City Council on Monday, April 11, 2011, at City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave. Click here to review the DRAFT report. 

 

 


Your Ideas Make a Difference

Help Transform Academy Boulevard Corridor to a Great Street

 

Share your vision for revitalizing the Academy Boulevard Corridor (Maizeland Road on the north and Drennan Road on the south) to a Great Street. Over 60,000 of the city's population lives or works along this six-mile stretch of Academy Boulevard. Citizens and business interests along the corridor are encouraged to participate in the community discussion involving existing corridor characteristics, a model for future land use alternatives, transportation/transit options and plans to support revitalization of the corridor and adjacent areas.

 

Academy Blvd. Study Area (CLICK image to ZOOM.)
Academy Blvd. Study Area (CLICK image to ZOOM.)
We Need your Input

  • Send your comments/questions by email to:  info@AcademyBlvdGreatStreets.com
  • Call (719) 385-5391 to provide your input/ask a question
  • Visit the project web page at www.AcademyBlvdGreatStreets.com for regular updates
  • Attend meetings and share your ideas.  Several technical working group meetings will be scheduled over the coming months for topic specific discussions.  Send your email address to info@AcademyBlvdGreatStreets.com and request to be added to the database to be kept informed by email of when these meetings will take place.  

Get Involved

  • Actively participate by providing your ideas, suggestions, and potential assets and opportunities for the corridor
  • Represent your community/neighborhood
  • Spread the word about the study and get others involved through the website