Drake Dilemma: Community members weigh in on what the city should do with the 40-acre property

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- In a growing city, 40 acres of public land in a downtown area doesn't become available very often.

Now, with the closing of the Martin Drake Power Plant in September, Colorado Springs taxpayers are discussing what to do with the premium property.

At an input meeting Wednesday, members of the public got to give their opinion on what should be built on the property on the southwest side of Downtown.

The Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership has no authority over the decision. Still, it is holding feedback sessions, with plans of delivering a report on community preferences to the Colorado Springs City Council and Utility Board, who do have authority.

Members of the community placed red stickers on ideas they disliked, and green stickers on ideas they did.

"No high rises, no selling the land to make money for other people," Wayne Quinn, an attendee, who lives in the area said. Quinn is hoping there will be more single-family housing built on the land, as well as keeping part of it for solar production.

The meeting though was not just attended by those who live near downtown.

 "I am a taxpayer and ratepayer with (Colorado Springs Utilities), so I'm very interested in the subject, Rebecca Marshall said. "I want to see it stay with Colorado Springs Utilities. It should be used for energy."

Options include different housing proposals, parks, business hubs, and even keeping it in the energy realm.

While the plant closed up less than two months ago, many are hopeful that the site will continue to burn bright.

"This will be the core of our downtown, the core of the city," Welling Clark said.

The plan is to draft up a report with the results of the findings for the city council, somewhere around January 1. If you have an idea of what you think should go on the property, planners want to hear from you too. Send an email to draketaskforce@gmail.com