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April is Awesome in Downtown
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USOC a Big Boost for Downtown
It was more than a thrill when the U.S. Olympic Committee announced on March 31 its intentions to not only stay in Colorado Springs for another 25 years but to also relocate its headquarters to downtown. "This is huge for downtown," said DP executive director Beth Kosley. "Finally, a great team approach to economic development!"
Praising Mayor Lionel Rivera for his dedication to retaining the USOC, Kosley added, "We can't thank the Mayor enough for seeing this through. It's truly a landmark moment."
The public may have thought the $53 million in public and private incentives "deal" came down seemingly overnight, but those involved sweated through months of effort to bring the best possible offer to the table. That offer included 90,000 square feet of office space in the Stratton Pointe office project at Tejon and Colorado (under development by Landco Equity Partners), 40,000 square feet of space for several national governing bodies in a to-be-renovated Colorado Springs Utilities building near America the Beautiful Park, and a major transformation of the current USOC training complex to include more than 150 new housing units for athletes.
Some of the muscle in the complex arrangement with USOC comes from the Downtown Development Authority. A DDA contract to Landco Equity Partners for tax increment financing - through which Landco will receive possibly as much as $8 million in TIF-generated reimbursements - enabled the developer to offer USOC the free office space.
Nolan Schriner, chair of the new Downtown Development Authority, said, "It's absolutely fantastic that the very first DDA tax increment contract has helped retain an internationally recognized and admired brand. It's a significant demonstration of just what our entity can help effect."
Alicia McConnell, USOC Director of Athlete Services and Programs, typifies her organization's excitement about making downtown Colorado Springs the USOC's new home.
"I am excited about the enhanced partnership with the City of Colorado Springs. It will further expand opportunities for athletes from around the world to experience the multifaceted 'Face of America,'" McConnell said.
"In my work I have found that the communities that have vibrant downtown areas - including cooperative efforts between businesses, sporting venues, cultural events and a variety of nightlife - are those communities that thrive. When communities have the vision to grow and expand while embracing and celebrating all of their different constituents, all of the citizens in the community benefit."
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Art on the Streets - for sale!
Pretty soon those iconic, clever, confounding and delightful pieces of public art in the 2007 Art on the Streets exhibit are going to go away - you know, that funky spikey ball thing on Tejon Street (Kris Waid-Jones's "At Last"). The gigantic open door over near Pikes Peak Center (Christopher Weed's "My Surreal World"). And its more earthly cactus companion (Don Green's "Saguaro"), among 13 others dotting the downtown landscape. Rather than retiring them from sight, how about a new home - at your home or your office? Priced between $4,000 and $300,000,  all of the downtown Art on the Streets artwork is for sale. Imagine what fun your clients would have "entering" your office through that oversized "surreal" door, or the dramatic placement of a piece in your personal gardens, or the delight of "gifting" a work for permanent public placement! The Art on the Streets exhibit begins changing out soon to make way for the 10th Anniversary year-long exhibit to debut in late June. Check out current pieces and prices online. Sincere appreciation goes to those who supported the 2007 Art on the Streets exhibit: Presenting Sponsors: U.S. Bank and Nor'wood Development
 Honorary Sponsors: Michael Collins and Merriam Spurgeon; Kris and Patrick Faricy; Gary Feffer Family; Lindsay and Joanna Fischer; Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado; Griffis Blessing; Rich and Pam Guy; Steve Mullens; Mulliken Weiner Karsh Berg & Jolivet, P.C.; Chuck and Mary Lou Murphy; John and Mary Kay Murphy; Jerry A. Powers II; Nolan and Sharon Schriner; Urban Strategies; Vintage Communities - the Venezia Family; Roberto Agnolini and Lana Yeakel
Friends of AOS: Gill Foundation; Shirley Kileen; Lady Godiva Hair Studio; Mary Lou Makepeace; Jan Martin; Mary Ellen McNally; Dick and Judy Noyes; Douglas WoodsFor more information about Art on the Streets, contact Denise Schall at 719-886-0088.
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Two-way terrific
Although mother nature had a hand in delaying the switcheroo by one week, the return of Tejon Street to two-way traffic went without a hitch in early April. Crisply painted street stripes, ample directional signs and perhaps a slightly more observant public has made for smooth travel.
Jerry Rutledge, owner of the clothing store bearing his name, said, "The reaction of my customers is nothing but positive. It's so convenient for them to get here, especially coming from the south. I think two-way Tejon is going to make a world of difference for downtown."
Rich Guy, owner of Computer Resources and a DP board member, echoed Rutledge's enthusiasm.
"The energy downtown has already shifted. There's a whole new feel to things. Traffic has slowed down - and that's a good thing - and there are more people on the sidewalks. I think the conversion has already produced more than we'd hoped for. This could be the start of a new renaissance for downtown. How cool is that?" Guy said.
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Indie Spirit Film Festival
This just in from our intrepid downtown Snoopster!
On my regular visits to Kimball's Wine Bar, I was intrigued by the same two guys -always hunched over legal pads of notes I strained my neck to see but couldn't quite. Their voices were animated, and all I could hear were snippets of "-and then we could-" Just to make sure they weren't planning a heist, I finally asked them what they were up to.What they were up to is a great new downtown event. Matthew Stevens and Jim Turner have organized (and funded themselves) the April 25-27 Indie Spirit Film Festival. Its 80 films come from Iran, Portugal, Kenya, UK, Australia, Canada, Mexico and the U.S. - including Colorado and Colorado Springs. Besides a diversity of nationality, genre, and content, the films represent budgets ranging from a few hundred to a few million dollars.Venues include Kimball's Twin Peak Theater, Edifice Gallery, Poor Richard's Bookstore, the Pikes Peak Center and the Antler's Hilton. Stevens, a film aficionado who manages Kimball's Twin Peak Theater, is also the general manager of the Metropolitan Restaurant. Turner, retired from the military, is a volunteer for the city's annual Women's Film Festival. That festival's organizer, Helen Upton, introduced the two men.The festival includes feature length films, shorts, documentaries, fictions, comedies, dramas, and an animation - something for every age. Criteria for film selections were simple: "Is it good? Would we enjoy seeing it ourselves?" With a $100 VIP pass you can view every film and hang out with the writers and directors.A Native American film, One Nation Walking Together, inspired Stevens and Turner to donate a percentage of ticket sales to a Native American cause. The festival will support a different cause each year. In addition, this year's festival collaborates with the Imagination Celebration to showcase winning high school filmmakers and the winner of the Colorado College International Film Festival. The success of the festival's inaugural year depends on you! So talk it up, place a poster in your business, and buy your tickets! $10 individual films; $40 for two-day pass; $50 for the weekend; and $100 for the VIP package. Purchase online, or call TicketsWest at (719) 576-2626. To learn more, visit the Indie Spirit web site.
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Welcome
New and Renewing DP Members
NEW MEMBERS
Associate level
Colorado Springs Health Partners, PC - Lynne Jones
Member level
The Colorado Springs Child Nursery Centers, Inc. - Adele Faber
RENEWING MEMBERS
Friends level
Columbine Capital Services - Stephanie Friedman
Bob and Jan Winkler
Associate level
ABC Bank - Ms. Sommer Street
CH2M Hill - Dirk Draper
McDivitt Law Firm, P.C. - Karen McDivitt
Poor Richard's Restaurant - Richard Skorman
Member level
Adams Bank & Trust - Bill Casey
Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs - Jason Christensen
Colorado Springs Realty Co. - Rickie D. Nelson
Kaiser Commercial Brokerage - Jeff Kaiser
New Vista Real Estate & Investment - Phil White & Dan Bjugstad
Penrose St. Francis Healthcare - Julie Armstrong
Pioneers Museum Foundation - Matt Mayberry
Praco Advertising - Nechi Hall
Sustaining Member level
N.E.S. Inc. - Nolan Schriner
RTA Architects - Stuart Coppedge
Partners Council level
Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority - Mary-K. Burnett
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Don't miss the deadline!
April 30, 2008
If you want to apply for a Challenge Grant from the Downtown Development Authority, time is running out! All materials must be submitted by no later than Wednesday, April 30. If you have a project that might help enhance or grow Downtown's residential, retail, arts and culture, jobs, security, sustainability, urban design or streetscape, please submit.
Go online to download the Challenge Grant
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Comments or questions? Please let us know! Email info@downtowncs.com or call (719) 886-0088.
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