When Palmer thrives, downtown does too

When I walked the halls of Palmer High School as a student in the late 1990s, the building already felt like a place where history lived. Founded more than a century ago, Palmer is not just a school. It is a cornerstone of Colorado Springs, a landmark that has shaped generations of young people and anchored our Downtown in ways that few institutions can.

Now, Palmer stands at a turning point. The proposed renovation of the campus, which includes the vacation of the right-of-way on Boulder Street, represents the most significant investment in Palmer’s future in decades. It is an investment I believe our City Council should wholeheartedly support.

I say this not just as a proud Palmer alumnus (Class of ’99, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015) but as a parent, a Downtown business owner, and a neighbor. My perspective on this project is not abstract. It is personal and practical.

As a parent of two young children at Steele Elementary, both of whom will attend Palmer in the coming years, I think about what kind of campus they will walk into. Will it reflect the pride and ambition of this city? Will it be modern, safe, and inspiring, a place that honors Palmer’s historic legacy while preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow? This renovation is how we answer those questions with a resounding yes.

As the owner of a business one block from the school, I see the relationship between Palmer and Downtown every single day. The two are inseparable. When Palmer thrives, Downtown feels it. A revitalized campus will strengthen the surrounding community, support local businesses, and enhance the character of one of the most unique neighborhoods in Colorado Springs. This is not a disruption to Downtown. It is fuel for its future.

The vacation of the Boulder Street right-of-way is a necessary and reasonable step to make this vision a reality. It is the kind of pragmatic decision that unlocks transformative outcomes. The benefits to students, families, Downtown neighbors, business owners, and the broader Colorado Springs community far outweigh any short-term inconvenience.

Palmer High School has given this city more than a century of service. It has educated leaders, artists, athletes, and neighbors. It has been a point of pride for every family that has passed through its doors. Now it is our turn to give something back, to invest in a campus worthy of Palmer’s next hundred years. I urge the Colorado Springs City Council to approve this request and show our community that we believe in Palmer, in District 11, and in the future of our Downtown.

Lisa Tessarowicz

Colorado Springs

What a Boulder vacation means

I am concerned to hear Councilmember Brandy Williams has asked for a motion to reconsider the Boulder vacation, especially since none of the facts of the project/proposal have changed. It seems like a dangerous precedent for the city council to set.

My concerns regarding this project are what I also addressed at the March 10th City Council meeting, but they have grown since the meeting as I have continued to engage with neighbors on this topic; so many people are totally unaware of what a “Boulder vacation” really means.

· Community engagement: Lack of community understanding of the Boulder “vacation” and engagement once the permanent closure was determined to be the plan

· Safety issues: In short, the closure does not eliminate risk—it redistributes and, in some cases, increases it for both students and neighbors.

· Funding priorities: Funding is uncertain and not in line with community priorities. Residents have asked for better connectivity, safer pedestrian infrastructure, stronger neighborhood integration, and improved academic education (not athletic facilities)

· Limitation of future planning: Boulder is a part of the BikeCOS master plan and may be needed for future transportation projects for Mountain Metro and the Platte Corridor project

For these reasons, I respectfully ask city council to again vote No against the permanent vacation of Boulder Street, or at a minimum, delay the decision until Phase 2 is fully funded, a plan is in place that demonstrably improves safety for both students and neighbors, and/or the city electorate can be asked to weigh in on this plan via vote.

Amy Hill

Colorado Springs

Let’s show off our treasures

I would like to thank Linda Navarro for her recent article about the Fine Arts Center. It is always good to see something about that great place, a real treasure for Colorado Springs and beyond. It appreciates the attention especially regarding such a stellar past and somewhat of a rocky present. My alma mater, Colorado College is struggling with their responsibility for it.

Yes, struggling to determine a proper direction as a museum, art school and theater. Yet, these were the very key components for success when it opened in 1936 and is now approaching a very important milestone anniversary of 100 years. Linda provides a good summary of the history along with some of the more significant art pieces, donors and sponsors. We are grateful to all of them! I was surprised that she did not mention that Martha Graham & Co. was there for the opening and that there have been other very important acquisitions such as works by Georgia O’Keeffe and Dale Chihuly.

There have been some recent attempts to revive our suffering sense of place through current exhibits, but they are not really directed towards purportedly community support. Rather they are targeted for the choir instead of the congregation. We need to focus on a new demographic since the older ones will not always be around to sustain it. Let’s show off our treasures to not only this region but nationally and internationally!

Most of all, let’s honor those three women who had the foresight to envision something bigger than us. We are looking forward to a really big cake with lots of candles!

Christopher A. Jones

Colorado Springs

Just send taxpayers the bill

The Gazette’s March 23rd online edition announced that Governor Jared Polis is requesting up to $200 million for additional prison space even in the face of a $1.5 billion budget shortfall. One only has to reflect on a recent Opinion piece by George Brauchler (Jailbreak- Legislative Dems Look to Empty Colorado’s Prisons”) for the answer. Brauchler notes that “Colorado incarcerates 22% less convicted felons today than it did in July 2009, when our population was 1 million people smaller.” He further enumerates that, since 2010, “Democrats have shuttered seven correctional facilities”. Just send taxpayers the bill.

In the prior day’s Gazette, an article highlighted that “Costs Explode for Colorado Health Program Covering Pregnant Women and Children Living in the U. S. Illegally. The funding request is for more than $110 million, six times what HB22-1289 forecast. Just send taxpayers the bill.

Since Governor Hickenlooper rushed to expand Medicaid coverage in 2013/2014, Colorado’s share of costs for this program have increased to well over $500 million. Just send taxpayers the bill.

Earlier this year, Colorado Springs Utilities admitted that it cannot economically meet the arbitrary emissions standards established in prior years by the Democrat Legislature and is seeking relief under SB26-022. While just last week, Xcel Energy finally admitted what has been known all along – that, they too, cannot economically meet these standards as well. Just send taxpayers the bill.

Businesses are leaving Colorado, notably Palantir and TIAA, due to the hostile business environment. The Legislature’s response? Let’s raise taxes on those making over $300,000 per year because it’s for the kids. This while standardized test scores demonstrate that less than 35% of public-school students can read and perform math at grade level. Just send taxpayers the bill. And PS, no TABOR refund for you.

Time for a change in our Colorado government this November, I have enough bills already.

James Komadina

Colorado Springs