Opponents of Broadmoor expansion plan to get second appeal in Colorado Springs
Some neighbors of The Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs point to this week’s annual Space Symposium as an example of why a planned convention center expansion should be denied.
The Broadmoor hosted the 35th annual event — its biggest of the year — Monday through Thursday.
Neighbors who oppose the expansion plan said noise, traffic congestion and lack of parking are bad enough during symposium week.
“Can you imagine how much worse it would be if The Broadmoor expands and brings in more conventions?” said Cyndy Kulp, an opponent.
Last month, the Colorado Springs Planning Commission denied an appeal by opponents to stop the plan. Opponents have since received a second and final appeal to be heard by the City Council May 14.
The Broadmoor previously said it wants to expand its convention facilities to keep the symposium from moving elsewhere, and to attract more convention business during the tourism off-season.
But neighbors worry about large numbers of vehicles parking on neighborhood streets, and the neighborhood’s quiet atmosphere shattered by an increase in shuttle and tour bus traffic.
Another opponent, Emily Ulrich, lives around the corner from The Broadmoor.
“We want The Broadmoor and the city to be successful,” she said. “But a convention center should be downtown where there’s more space and you’re within walking distance of hotels and restaurants. Would you want to live across the street from a convention center and try to raise a family? This neighborhood is congested enough already with school traffic, zoo traffic, Seven Falls and Broadmoor traffic, and North Cheyenne Canon traffic.”
Kulp lives in the adjacent Skyway neighborhood, not The Broadmoor area, but explained why she’s involved in opposing the plan.
“I live close to Bear Creek Park and The Broadmoor wanted to buy it to build horse stables,” she said. “We found out about it at the last minute and got (The Broadmoor) to change their minds. I also live close to the Norris-Penrose Event Center and it has basically become a parking lot for The Broadmoor because they don’t have enough parking. I feel like that brings my property value down and hurts my investment.”
City leaders have never agreed on the need, location and cost of a downtown convention center.
Broadmoor Hall, the hotel’s current convention facility, opened in 2005 after city officials debated whether they should be the first to open a convention center.
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers was unavailable for comment Thursday.
City Council President Richard Skorman said he couldn’t discuss the matter until after the May 14 final vote.
The Broadmoor did not return a call from KRDO NewsChannel 13 seeking comment on the matter.
