Historic Uptown Updates

Board Member: Cheryl

Treasurer Update

501(C)(3) update – Cheryl was contacted by the IRS and was asked to send additional information about our neighborhood and our financial statements.

Parkside Historic District Rezoning Application

We submitted the HP-O application and included justifications for a fee waiver and city-initiated district since we are unable to communicate to some property owners. We are waiting for the Planning Department to schedule a meeting with City Council where we will introduce the Parkside HP-O effort. We met individually with Nancy Henjum, Michelle Talarico, and Dave Donelson.

Historic Uptown Street Signs

Dianne reached out to traffic engineering. They said irregular shapes are not an option. They provided design parameters, and the next step is for the board to review the options and make decisions.

We have a table setup at the Jazz in the Garden at Grace and St. Stephen’s Church. Stop by to say Hi!.

Summer Party Planning

• The summer party is scheduled for July 27th from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Dale between Tejon and Nevada in front of the Robson Arena Parking Lot.
• Jordan Radke is our Colorado College contact. Colorado College will open Robson Arena for a 2-hour skate during the party and will offer reduced ticket pricing. We will invite the neighborhoods surrounding Colorado College which includes Historic Uptown, Mid Shooks Run, and the Old North End. We will also invite the Historic Neighborhood Partnership board members and their families.
• Cheryl reached out to Underline to nail down event activities.
• Dianne will handle miscellaneous logistics.

Colorado Springs 2024 Strategic Plan

More Information

The City of Colorado Springs is in the process of developing a community-driven Strategic Plan that emphasizes the Mayor Yemi’s core vision for the next four-years (2024 to 2028). The Strategic Plan informs performance management allowing the City to monitor, report and employ flexibility to adjust how the City team achieves its desired outcomes. The development of the Strategic Plan involves collaboration with the Strategic Plan Development Workgroup (SPDWG), City Leadership, all staff members, identified leaders within the community, and our consulting partners BerryDunn.

Community Review of the Strategic Plan
Our community is what makes Colorado Springs the great city it is. To develop a plan that truly reflects the Colorado Springs community, we need to hear from residents. Their input is invaluable in guiding the City’s vision and aligning City goals, priorities, and budgets over the next five years.

Residents are able to provide feedback on the plan by attending the in-person or virtual public meetings on June 11. There is also an online survey and ideas wall where residents can review aspects of the Strategic Plan to provide direct feedback.

Online Feedback Survey – open till June 13
The ideas wall is an online space where residents can provide feedback on the strategic plan and see comments from other residents. They can then brainstorm on the shared ideas in a public space.

Take the Survey

Historic Tax Credit Workshop

Monday, June 17, 2024, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

107 N Nevada Ave, Academy Room, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Historic Uptown joined the City of Colorado Springs Historic Preservation Board and History Colorado to learn about the opportunities and benefits of state and federal historic tax credits. The Historic Tax Credit program is an incredibly valuable tool for historic property owners looking to rehabilitate older spaces and save thousands of dollars. RSVP to William Gray at william.gray@coloradosprings.gov.

Cheryl and Dianne attended the Tax Credit Workshop on Monday June 17th from 4:30pm – 6:30pm sponsored by the City. Historic Uptown will schedule a Tax Credit Workshop on Zoom with History Colorado in the near future. The presentation is included in the notes linked below.

Historic Neighborhood Partnership Update

More Information

Board Member: Dianne

• State Bills passed in the last legislative session – HNP is evaluating the impact of the recently passed bills that affect our historic neighborhoods.
• Short term rentals – HNP is gathering data, defining concerns, and determining strategy. If anyone in the neighborhood has any STR concerns, please email info@historicuptown.org.
• The City Strategic Plan will be adopted by the end of June. HNP was involved with this process since March.
• Public and community engagement process – HNP is working with the City to address challenges and discuss ideas/solutions.
• Building heights – The City is evaluating if our Downtown area should have building height limitations.
  • A petition was established for citizens to say whether or not they want to have a voice on this in the November election.
  • City Council will discuss this topic in their June 24th work session.