Despite ongoing public opposition, a project that will see the building of a 27-story mixed use structure in a city without a tradition of such high-rises has won the approval of the Colorado Springs City Council.
The 6 to 1 vote for the One Vela project clears the way for the construction of 400 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units and just over 8,300 square feet of retail space.
Also included: some 30,000 square feet of amenity space.
The project, to be developed by The O’Neill Group, a development company based in Colorado Springs, will go up on a site directly across the street from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum.
To be done in conjunction with Vela Development, which has offices in Kansas City, Missouri, the project was previously expected to top out at 36 floors. But opposition from residents have contended that any tall building built in downtown Colorado Springs would have the effect of blocking views of the Pikes Peak Mountain.
Even though the developers agreed to reduce the height of the project by 9 floors, the opposition remained. By the time of the council vote nearly 7,000 residents had signed a petition urging the city council to reject One Vela.
Arguments in favor of the project have centered on the need for more residential space, a factor that appeared to be pivotal for some members of the council. A vote taken by the city’s Downtown Review Board in February additionally approved the project.
Work on the One Vela is expected to begin later this year, with a general completion date of 2028.
April 11, 2025
By Garry Boulard
One Vela rendering courtesy of City of Colorado Springs
