Colorado Springs Airport to spend $38 million to acquire 562 acres adjacent to current eastern boundary
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The City Council has approved a major land purchase by the Colorado Springs Airport intended to provide a variety of benefits to airport operations and the surrounding area.
On Tuesday, the Council unanimously voted in favor of the airport spending $38 million over the next four years to acquire seven parcels totaling 562 acres; the land is between the airport's current eastern boundary and Marksheffel Road.
The parcels are currently zoned for light industrial manufacturing and mixed commercial use.
The seller is donating 11 acres of right-of-way property along Marksheffel to the city's public works department, possibly for a future expansion of the road; such an expansion aligns with the master plan for the Banning Lewis Ranch subdivision.
With the acquisition, the airport's Peak Innovation Park will expand to 2,162 acres and become more competitive for larger national developments common to airport industrial and office parks.
The additional land also provides more options to nearby Peterson Space Force Base, for expansion or non-critical mission operations.
Officials say that acquiring the land reduces the possibility for "incompatible residential development."
Other benefits include: Promoting growth and development consistent with the airport's layout plan and master plan; controlling noise; protecting runway approach surfaces; providing diversified revenue to help the airport better sustain itself; and develop a master plan for the airport's east entrance.
