A more precise definition of how tall a building can be in downtown Colorado Springs may be in the offing in the wake of a proposal to build a 36-story apartment complex.
That high-rise project has been presented to city officials by the O’Neil Group, a Colorado Springs-based developer, working in a partnership with the Vela development company of St. Louis, Missouri.
As planned, the 36-story structure, housing nearly 500 residential units, would go up just to the east of the Olympic and Paralympic Museum, at the southeast corner of Costilla and Sahwatch streets.
To be called the VeLa Peakview, the complex will be designed to include studio and one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as ground floor retail, a fitness center, and swimming pool.
The project was originally proposed in 2021 as a 25-story structure with just under 320 units. New levels were added to the proposal when it was determined that a smaller building might not be financially feasible.
Now opposition to the taller 36-story proposal has materialized, noting that the structure, if built, would be the tallest of its kind in Colorado Springs, with the potential for blocking views of the Pikes Peak mountain summit some 30 miles to the west.
For decades the tallest structure in Colorado Springs was the 14-story Holly Sugar Building, which went up in 1966 and later became the FirstBank Building. In 1990, the city saw construction of the 16-story Wells Fargo Tower, which for the last generation has held the title of tallest building in Colorado Springs.
Although the height of the proposed VeLa Peakview is not in violation of any existing zoning codes in the downtown area, opponents have suggested that there has always been a general consensus that buildings in Colorado Springs should at the least be less than 20 stories in height.
In discussions before the Colorado Springs City Council, member Dave Donelson expressed the view of many residents when he remarked: “If we allow one of these high-rises, other will follow.” Donelson added: “People don’t want us to start looking like Denver.”
Despite the opposition of some residents, the VeLa Peakview has won the support of such groups as the Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority, which is viewing the project as a catalyst for additional future downtown development.
Still in the planning stage, the project is expected in the months ahead to be reviewed by the local planning commission as well as the Colorado Springs City Council before a final approval is granted.
By Garry Boulard
