New high-rise ‘One Vela' approved by City Council
The building will be located at the corner of Sahwatch and Costilla Streets, about a block away from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. If built, it would become the highest building in Colorado Springs, standing at twenty-seven stories, which is almost a third higher than the current tallest building, The Wells Fargo Tower, at sixteen stories. Now, many community members are worried the new building will disrupt their mountain views.
'I believe this adds to our skyline, to our majestic skyline,' said Councilman Randy Helms during Monday's meeting.
The only person who voted for the appeal was Councilman Dave Donelson.
'Let's have change, but let's cap that at the tallest building because we do have such beautiful surroundings,' said Donelson.
After hours of community testimony, and allowing all sides to debate, in a six-to-one vote, the Colorado Springs City Council denied the appeal for the One Vela project.
'We have elevation sickness, that is a real thing. It affects locals and natives who still get elevation sickness. Now you're throwing in a 315-foot building and an elevator going straight up… are these medical things even being brought up,' said one concerned community member who spoke at the meeting.
She was just one of dozens that packed the room on Monday to voice their opposition to the new building.
'Our key points have repeatedly been we view our skyline as a community shared value. We believe that citizens have a right to a voice regarding the downtown building heights,' said another community member.
Councilman Donelson was the only one on the city council to approve the deal, one of his concerns being that the issue should be on the ballot to allow citizens to decide.
'I think it's wrong if we think our citizens would put a limit and don't let them vote on it. I think it's wrong to do that,' said Councilman Donelson.
He also did not want the current City Council members to make the decision with many of them only in office for another 10 days. After last Tuesday's election, only two current members will remain on the City Council–Donelson and Nancy Henjum.
'I don't think council should do this on the way out, on the way out of the door for this council,' said Councilman Donelson.
The vote clearly showed that the current members did not feel the same way. 'I absolutely disagree with that. I've been working on this issue for however long we've been working on these kinds of issues,' said Councilman Helms.
The new apartment building, One Vela, will add four hundred new homes to help the housing shortage, and according to their website, will add thousands of local jobs and millions in tax revenue for the city.
'After weighing all the different values, the different comments, I've got to tell you I believe this is right for our city,' said Councilman Helms.
One Vela estimates the building will create $26.4 million in local income, $2.9 million in tax and other revenue for local governments, and 306 jobs.
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