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E-NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2015
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Citizens Enthusiastic about Contributing to Visitor Experience Atop Pikes Peak Summit
Nearly 90 people attended the Pikes Peak Summit Complex Environmental Assessment (EA) Scoping Meeting and Open House held Aug. 25 at Pikes Peak Library 21C in Colorado Springs. The meeting was organized in an open house format. Attendees viewed display boards that provided background information on the project, opportunities for input on potential environmental and cultural impacts and for identifying key issues to be analyzed in the EA, as well as opportunities to provide the design team a vision for shaping the Summit Complex visitor experience. Links to the presentation material and summary below:
Dovetailing with the EA Scoping process, the design team continues to seek public input through a series of online surveys and public meetings to help create a summit experience for all to enjoy for decades to come.
For more information about the Pikes Peak Summit Complex design process and to sign up to receive notices of public meetings, visit:www.PikesPeakColorado.com and scroll down to the green category tab, "Summit Complex Project."
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Environmental Assessment (EA) Process - First Step
Federal jurisdiction of the summit requires that, before design and construction of a new Summit Complex can move ahead an EA must take place to consider and disclose any potential environmental effects. READ MORE.
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Summit Complex Design Challenges and Constraints
While there are many opportunities to consider with the new design of the Pikes Peak Summit Complex, there are equally as many, if not more, challenges and constraints that the design team will face. READ MORE.
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Summit Complex - Current Water Facts
Roughly 530,000 gallons of water are hauled on Pikes Peak including to the Summit and 670,000 gallons hauled off on an annual basis.
It takes 321 trips annually to haul water up and wastewater off of Pikes Peak. Water costs 12x more and wastewater costs 13x more at the Summit than in Colorado Springs. It is estimated that 350,000 gallons, or two-thirds of the annual water use is for flushing.
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What Facilities Make Up the
Pikes Peak Summit Complex?
The United States Forest Service (USFS) owns the land (the Pike National Forest) on which the Pikes Peak Highway and the Summit House (visitors center) are built, but the City of Colorado Springs manages and maintains these facilities (operating under a special use permit with the USFS). At the summit of Pikes Peak there is currently a municipal utility facility and four facilities serving federal and local agencies, including:
- The Summit House visitors center and Plant Building, operated as a City Enterprise by Pikes Peak - America's Mountain (PPAM)
- The Maher Memorial High-Altitude Research Laboratory (HARL), operated by the U.S. Army Research of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM)
- The Pikes Peak Multi-User Communication Facility, operated by Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU)
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Be Part of History --
Take the Survey
Help shape the visitor experience at a new Summit Visitor Center atop Pikes Peak -- America's Mountain.
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| | CLICK HERE to view video. |
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SUMMIT COMPLEX DESIGN
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE
PLAN TO ATTEND!
OCTOBER 7, 2015
4:30 - 7:00 PM
Location:
Garden of the Gods Trading Post
324 Beckers Lane
Manitou Springs 80829
Room: Peak View Conference Center
Time: 4:30 - 7 p.m.
Presentations: 5 and 6 p.m.
Directions:
The Garden of Gods Trading Post is reached by taking US24 Expressway west off of I-25 (Exit 141) to the Manitou/Garden of the Gods exit. After exiting the freeway, keep to your right, and follow the signs to the Garden of the Gods. The Trading Post is just past Balanced Rock.
The open house / presentation will focus on site location and initial design concept options.
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QUICK LINKS
For future meeting notices, send an email asking to be added to the project database to
[email protected]
For more information about the Pikes Peak Summit Complex project, call (719) 385-7325.
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DESIGN TIMELINE
Phase 1 - Programming and Development of Design Concepts - Fall 2015
Phase 2 - Concept Review and Selection - Winter 2016
Phase 3 - Plan Development - Spring 2016
Phase 4 - Solicitation of Construction Management/General Contractor - Late Fall 2015
Phase 5 - Construction Start (HARL and Plant Building) - Summer / Fall 2016
Visitor Center Ground Breaking - Summer / Fall 2017 |
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DESIGN GOAL
"The goal of the design process for the new Pikes Peak Summit Complex is to create a seamless, immersive visitor experience. From arrival at the summit and through all steps in the experience, visitors should be focused on and enveloped in the natural forms of the mountain, as well as the expansive views. Designs for the interior and exterior exhibits, site improvement and amenities, and building will become part of the story-telling, merging with the natural environment so that a balance is created and emphasis is placed on the resource and the experience of the peak." Stuart Coppedge, Principal with RTA Architects
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