I urge Colorado Springs City Council to think carefully about permitting the construction of a 36-story building in downtown. Here are several factors that deserve thoughtful consideration: 1. Architectural aesthetics are paramount.
Please don’t permit yet another “box” to stand up in our city. Renderings I’ve seen illustrate a boring, unappealing rectangular tower with no character or attractive aspects. Such a building will not enhance the look of our skyline.
While the architecture can never compete with our beautiful mountains, an ugly boring structure will look even worse. 2. Be sure there is adequate parking capacity for future residents and visitors.
Parking garages are also unattractive, but lots of cars parking on adjacent streets will result in lots of problems, not only for the residents, but for the rest of our community as well. 3. Consider limiting the overall height.
To stand at twice the height of current buildings will make the structure look out of place and appear as an “after thought” resulting from poor planning. It will look odd. 4.
Architecture does not have to be subordinate to economics. There are hundreds of examples where attractive buildings stand that are economically viable to developers and owners. Remember that it is likely that the developer of this building will probably not live in our city and won’t have to look at the result.
So, make it attractive for those of us who do live here. Council won’t regret imposing these requir.
