Annexation for Air Force Academy visitor center unanimously approved

The Air Force Academy is in the works of crafting a master plan for its new visitor center area.

Planned for north Colorado Springs, a center called True North Commons will have retail stores, two hotels, and room to grow. The agenda was brought to the top during the Planning Commission’s first meeting of the year.

Matthew Oliver, a senior at the Air Force Academy said, “The lack of construction on the west side of I-25 makes programs such as basic cadet training and expeditionary survivor training make it seem like we are in a place far away and not just a few miles from a major metropolitan area.”

After the public hearing, the city ruled in favor of annexing the land so it would become a part of Colorado Springs.

Dan Schnepf, a managing member for the Blue and Silver Development Partners, is helping lead the new development. He says the decision will benefit everybody involved.

“Today was an extremely important step in getting the property that will create a great opportunity for the city,” said Schnepf.

The visitor center, which is primarily funded through the Department of Defense and private donations, also needs help from the city.

Schnepf said, “This project getting annexed through the city allows that financing to occur.”

Now, the project is on its way to the next step, keeping those concerns in mind.

“We are all part of the same community and we all want the same things. We want clean water and we want trails and recreation space and the great thing about this project is it gives us an opportunity to advance that,” said Schnepf.