Historic Preservation Board Meeting - September 8, 2025
Historic Preservation Board Meeting - September 8, 2025
The Colorado Springs Historic Preservation Board met on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 4:30 PM. Six members were present (Chair Lowenberg, Board Members Musick, Baumgartner, Potter, Beerbaum, Hines); Board Member Fitzsimmons was absent. The meeting covered communications, approval of minutes, continuation of the Historic Resources Survey Plan, review and recommendation of the Satellite Hotel National Register nomination, and an update on the City Auditorium.
Communications
- William Gray (Senior Planner) announced that Lindsey Flewelling from the State Historic Fund will attend the October meeting to discuss survey funding, HP commission training, and state-level historic preservation.
- A Report of Acceptability application is expected in October, and a Historic Preservation Overlay District application for 2927 West Pikes Peak Avenue is anticipated in November.
- Chair Lowenberg acknowledged the recent passing of Marcy Morrison, a regional advocate for planning and historic preservation, noting her significant contributions. The Vault in Manitou Springs celebrated its 100-year anniversary.
- Board Member Beerbaum noted Morrison's legacy is easily discoverable online. Board Member Potter recalled reading an article about Morrison.
Consent Calendar
- No items were on the consent calendar.
Approval of Minutes
- The minutes from the August 4, 2025 meeting were approved by a vote of 6-0-0-1 (Fitzsimmons absent). Board Member Musick made the motion, seconded by Board Member Hines.
Unfinished Business
- Historic Resources Survey and Context Plan: Staff recommended continuing the public hearing to the October 6, 2025 meeting to allow additional time for finalizing edits addressing comments from the Board and the State Historic Fund. Motion to continue passed 6-0-0-1 (Musick motion, Potter second).
New Business
- Satellite Hotel National Register Nomination (411 Lakewood Circle): William Gray presented the nomination, which was referred by the state. The property, built between 1967-1975, is a 14-story mixed-use building with 76 hotel rooms and 241 residential units. It is the first indoor commercial center and first residential condominium project in Colorado Springs, and a notable example of mid-century modern architecture. The nomination identified eligibility under Criterion A (Commerce) and Criterion C (Architecture). Public Comment: Tracie Woods, a new resident and owner, expressed strong support, calling the Satellite an iconic piece of southeast Colorado Springs and stating she is ready to be part of restoring it. Councilmember Kimberly Gold (District 4) also thanked the Board for considering this history. Board members expressed unanimous support, noting the building's significance to southeast Colorado Springs and its cultural connections (e.g., the Jetsons-style sign). Motion to approve the nomination with the condition that staff submit the required review form to the Colorado Historic Preservation Board passed 6-0-0-1 (Potter motion, Musick second). The state review board will consider the nomination on September 19, 2025.
Presentations
- City Auditorium Update: Kim King (Assistant Director, Parks Recreation and Cultural Services) presented an update. The auditorium, completed in 1923, was placed on the National Register in 1995 and has been vacant since 2023 after a previous partnership (Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective) fell through due to funding challenges. An internal solutions team recommended issuing an RFP, which resulted in a lease agreement with Alternative Venue Alliance (AVA) Presents, led by Jesse Morreale (a Colorado Springs native). The lease includes a five-year initial term with options totaling up to 25 years; capital investments by AVA can offset rent. City Council approved a resolution finding a public purpose in leasing at below fair market value. Ms. King noted the need for major infrastructure upgrades (HVAC, seating, restrooms, lighting, sound) and that AVA will spend an initial nine months studying the building. Board members discussed the historic murals (painted in 1935 under the New Deal), the possibility of selling or preserving original seats, the existing organ, and opportunities for community involvement and grant funding. King stated that the city cannot currently commit in-kind services due to budget constraints but welcomed the Board's expertise and support. The lease is expected to be signed on September 9, 2025.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved: 6-0-0-1.
- Historic Resources Survey Plan continued to October 6, 2025: 6-0-0-1.
- Satellite Hotel National Register nomination approved with condition: 6-0-0-1. The Board recommends the nomination to the state board for listing.
- City Auditorium update received; Board offered to assist with historic preservation expertise and grant opportunities. No formal vote taken.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome to the Colorado Springs Historic Preservation Board meeting for September 8th, 2025. The Historic Board Preservation Board is comprised of seven members appointed by City Council to administer the historic preservation code. Good afternoon. The historic preservation board members are community volunteers with expertise across a wide variety of disciplines. Each member acts independently, carefully assessing all the evidence presented to make their decision. With that, let's go ahead and do a roll call. Do you do the roll call, please? Chair Loenberg, present. Board member music. Board member Baumgartner. Present. Board member Fitzimmers. Board member Potter. Here. Board member Bierbaum. Here. Board Member Heinz. Here. Thank you. We have five members present. Awesome. Thank you very much. I am not aware of any changes to the agenda or postponements. Let's go to agenda item number three, communications, Mr. Gray. Okay. All right. So a couple communications from staff this afternoon. So we will have Lindy Pluelli from State Historic Fund and October meeting. And so a couple uh things that I was going to suggest that she talked to us about would be just survey work funding for some future projects. Maybe possible HP commission training. I know that's one of the things they do out of state historic fund, is they do offer uh uh commission training and then just kind of an overall what's going on uh with historic preservation at the state level. So um the board have any other um subjects you might want to have Lindsay just talk about, um, just let me know. Um we will have at that October meeting. We do have one additional um uh item the Board of Acceptability Act application, and then the last thing I wanted to let the board know is we did receive a new application for a historic preservation over district, single property, united church 2927 West Peak Avenue. It that um is in staff review at this time, and it's expected to be ready for the historic preservation board in November. So you should be able to see that. Those are all of the communications I have. So I think next in the same item for board communications, Christine. So if you or other board members have anything for today. Um start. I just had a couple of minor things. I just wanted to share in the historic preservation community in the region, it's more regional than anything. Um Judy may have something as well. Um, hi Pat. Sorry, Mike. Oh, it's okay. Um, so I just wanted to share. It just happened on Friday, but um, a friend to the historic preservation community regionally um passed away, Miss Marcy Morrison. She uh actually has lived in Manitou for a number of years, but she was um she's an advocate of of all things um municipal and regional planning, including historic preservation.
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