City Council approves Urban Renewal Plan for S Nevada Avenue

Colorado Springs City Council approved an Urban Renewal Plan for S Nevada Avenue in a 6-2 vote on Tuesday night.

While council approved the plan, there will be more votes down the road to decide on funding for the project.

The combined goal of three different construction projects is to eliminate blight around S Nevada Avenue. Residents who spoke to city council complained that the area has not changed since the 1960s and is overrun with rundown motels, used car lots and pawn shops.

“The shops have been worn down. There are motels down there. It is an area that I don’t like walking around at night and I think they really need some help down there,” said resident Yvonne Schaefer.

The plan would include new shops and restaurants, apartment complexes, a hotel and a sculpture garden.

Two city council members voted against the plan.

Developers said some businesses are ready to break ground on construction projects in the new few months. Developers expect the projects to take about five years to complete.