Neighbors in Broadmoor Bluffs speak out on affordable housing complex

An affordable housing development is coming to the Broadmoor Bluffs area of Colorado Springs, even though it’s been a controversial topic among neighbors.

The land that’s been at the center of discussion for years is located on Highway 115 and S. Academy Blvd. Even though neighbors we spoke to say they are concerned, they’re still hoping they can move forward.

It’s a project that has seen major backlash.

“This was a test case. If they can get it here in the Broadmoor they can get it anywhere,” said Dan Martin, President of the Broadmoor Bluffs Neighborhood Association.

Neighbors have even gone as far as suing to try to kill the project.

The lawsuit was filed by the Broadmoor Bluffs Neighborhood Association saying the new apartments would lower their property values, bring in crime, and also goes against Federal ADA Law.

Casey Petty lives across the street in a condominium and says he didn’t know anything about the plans for the land until it was too late.

“I just bought this place so yeah it does hurt to know my property value may go down,” he said.

But the Executive Director for one of the developers, Lee Patke, says it shouldn’t be a concern.

“People will be surprised at what affordable housing looks like, it will compete with market-rate properties in terms of amenities and appearance and stability and safety,” he said.

And because the project will be moving forward, neighbor Cindy Grey is hoping to set the record straight.

“It was never about the tenants. It was about an out of state builder coming here. Anybody can look at this street and see there are no sidewalks, there are no curbs, it’s very dangerous to the tenants,” she said.

She added that another concern is that there is only one road in and out of the complex, meaning tenants will have to compete with semis like this because there are no sidewalks.

Construction on the new apartments hasn’t begun, but developers say it could start as soon as this month.