Urban revitalization : the Palmer Springs District, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Authors
Schiffli, Joel P.
Advisor
Cairns, Malcolm D.
Marlow, Christopher M.
Blalock, Joseph C.
Issue Date
2010
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (B.L.A.)
Department
College of Architecture and Planning
Other Identifiers
Abstract

THE PALMER SPRINGS DISTRICT Located within Colorado Springs, Colorado and branded as the Palmer Springs District, this project reveals the urban revitalization design of a downtown district and how it can be restored by re-establishing the vitality and economic health of the city. A challenge to urban revitalization becomes the impact it has on the social, environmental, and economic health of the city. In response to this challenge, this project explores a mixed-use development, a strategy based on the principle of allowing more than one type of use within a building or a set of buildings. It also proposes the redevelopment and relocation of a minor league baseball park and also the redevelopment of a historic trolley route that will bring visitors to and from the Palmer Springs District. Two primary phases constitute the study for this comprehensive project. The fi rst introduces and analyzes the principles of mixed-use developments. This phase also highlights some of the design opportunities that can grow from this type of strategy and evaluates how effectively mixed-used development principles work in other cities. Evaluations of case studies have been taken into consideration for the design and development of the Palmer Springs District. These case studies helped establish goals and objectives to drive the design of the master plan. The second phase explores how urban revitalization and mixed-use development principles can be applied to the City of Colorado Springs for future use and demonstrates how one site within the city can serve as a catalyst for future developments. This phase consists of the selection of a particular site within the downtown area, researching the existing contextual features and historical background of the site. This information provides the foundation for design guidelines that will take part within the master planning process. The master plan is based on primary goals such as connectivity, economic gain, and conserving natural environments. The revitalization of this downtown area will create a safe and unique urban mixed-use district development and entertainment space, which will serve both as an origin and a destination.